In the 2013 model year, Hyundai's stylish Santa Fe crossover enters its third generation with more body styles, engine selections and trim levels than at any other time in the past dozen years.
Beginning life in 2001, it was an early entrée into the compact, car-based, five seat crossover realm. This design primarily targets on road travel, not off road adventures.
"Santa Fe's importance to Hyundai is hugely important," according to John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America speaking to a group of automotive media types at a preview gathering. "It was the first car in our history that moved the brand away from simply being a relatively cheap economy car sort of brand." Also boosting sales and peace of mind around the turn of the millennia was the intro of the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
A big change with the 2013 five-door Santa Fe is the addition of a longer wheelbased, seven-passenger newbie, allowing it to compete with crossovers in the mid-size category. The new seven-passenger V-6-powered edition replaces the under-appreciated Veracruz in Hyundai's product lineup, which enjoyed a one-generation stay from 2007 through 2012. Like the new three-row Santa Fe, Veracruz was also a seven-passenger vehicle targeting the needs of growing families hauling toddlers (with or without tiaras) to teens.
For marketing purposes, the revamped two-row version is dubbed the Santa Fe Sport while the three-row mid-sizer is simply Santa Fe. Both body styles come with the choice of front wheel or all-wheel drive. From a design perspective, both bodies remain virtually identical from the middle B-pillars forward. The new seven passenger version is 8.5 longer, allowing for third-row seating. If looking for deviations between the two from the B pillar forward, Sport's chrome front grille incorporates fewer horizontal grille slates than the longer newcomer. Both borrow the 'fluidic sculpture' approach successfully executed in the stylish mid-size Sonata sedan.
"With Santa Fe's third generation, it's a bold new strategy," Krafcik added. "It's clearly one car, one Santa Fe, but it covers five passengers and seven passengers in a way that has never been done in the U.S. market."
The seven-passenger Santa Fe's sole engine is a 3.3 -liter V-6 generating 290 horsepower and currently available in Hyundai's Azera sedan. The 290 horsepower is identical to what the Chicago-built, slightly larger, V-6 powered Ford Explorer offers and 30 better than Veracruz. Boasting a high-pressure, direct-injection system, Santa Fe's engine's capable of towing 5,000 pounds of weekend leisure activities with no specially added towing package. It's mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission. The five-seat Santa Fe Sport offers two engine selections.
Expect 18 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway in front-drive editions, three miles better highway than the outgoing Veracruz, but not class leading. Subtract one mile highway for all-wheel-drive editions. The tank holds a generous 18.8 gallons of 87-octane unleaded regular fuel.
The three-row Santa Fes come in two trims: GLS and up-level Limited. One notable distinction between the two: GLS seats seven (with second-row bench-style seats) while Limited's two second-row captain's chairs, accommodates six total riders. Also, push-button start is a Limited exclusive as is a welcome power rear lift gate. Prime competitors include the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander.
Ordering option packages is thankfully straight forward. Limited offers one while GLS ups the ante to two. Limited's sole Technology Package ($2,900) includes a sunroof, 8-inch touch navigation screen, upgraded 12-speaker stereo and heated steering wheel.
Hyundai's GLS offers a popular equipment package ($950) with heated front seats, fog lights and heated steering wheel. If feeling the need for more bling, the Premium Equipment Package ($4,100) adds side-mirror turn signal indicators (wish these were standard), leather seating surfaces, third-generation 8-inch in-dash navigation touch screen, heated second-row seats and dual-zone temperature controls. When opting for the Premium Equipment Package, the Popular Equipment Package must be ordered. Fold down rear seat DVD screens are not available, so bring portable E-Tablets for the kids.
Our front-drive Limited tester included a $33,100 starting price and a $2,900 Technical Package. With $135 floor mats and $845 destination charge, the bottom line ended at $36,980. A three-row GLS front-drive trim starts at $28,350. Add $1,750 for all-wheel drive in both models. Numbers are very competitive (dare we say enticing) when compared with segment rivals.
The visually pleasing electroluminescent instrument panel includes two, independent circular gauges with an outer analog region and small, round digital middle. To the right, a digital, circular fuel monitor resides inside the center of the analog speedometer while the left houses a tachometer and digital temperature readout in the center. Both deep-set gauges utilize oblong lidding shorter towards the middle and extended on sides, resembling aviator goggles. A rectangular digital message center rests in between. Santa Fe borrows interior cues from the South Korean automaker's popular mid-size Sonata sedan.
Ventilation functions consist of a large dial monitoring fan speed, two toggle-like buttons controlling dual temperature zones (a Limited trim option) and a button to select direction. Below is an open, recessed storage area for portable electronics with two 12-volt outlets and USB port. Flanking the center digital window housing the navigation feed are two outfacing facing boomerang-like air vents. On the driver's door, power mirror controls reside at a 45-degree angle with power window and locks resting at 90-degrees in line with the arm rest. The parking brake is foot operated. Overall, the handsome interior layout bends nicely with a roomy-feel mid-size product.
Large, wide rear side doors swing open with ample room to contort into rows two or three. Two-seat second-row captain's chairs in Limited models manually slide while back rests tilt forward to allow third-row access, which is best left for teens and tweens as seats reside a few inches higher than the floor, although head room is decent. Our tester included convenient fan speed and temperature dials in the far back row. The two-passenger third row includes 50/50-split backrests (and folding headrests) which fold up via pull straps best accessed with the rear lift gate up. To recess backs down, just pull on the straps to release the lock mechanism. When folded, seatbacks form a flat cargo floor. With the third row prone, 13.5 cubic feet exists for grocery bags, but not the iconic golf bag.
Side view mirrors incorporate a girth worthy of a large proportioned midsize crossover providing needed visual feedback. The roof incorporates a gentle downward trajectory behind the 'B' pillar with a slightly rising side character line in line with strap-like door handles. Narrow, wraparound tail lights also enjoy a boomerang-like design while front headlight housing employs a cat's eye shape. Along the bottom frame is plastic composite helping minimize stone-caused dings. The lift gate opens with ample head clearance for those six-feet, one-inches and shorter. A temporary spare tire resides under the cargo section of the vehicle.
Compared to the outgoing Veracruz, the 2013 Santa Fe boasts a 333 weight reduction, helping increase fuel economy. At highway speeds, engine sounds remain pleasingly muted while around town, the suspension soaks up road imperfections better than anticipated. For a good-sized vehicle, the turning radius is surprisingly tight.
2013 Santa Fe
Engine: 3.3-liter V-6
Horsepower: 290
Wheelbase: 110.2 inches
Overall length: 193.1 inches
Overall width: 74.2 inches
Overall height: 66.5 inches
Curb weight: 3,904 pounds
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway
Powertrain warranty: 10-year/100,000 mile
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