2013 Hyundai Sante Fe – Review

Enhanced purely for 2013 with a five-passenger Sport version, long-wheel model as well as seven-passenger version, 2013 Hyundai Sante Fe has a remarkably professional touch that depose the finest leading crossovers especially with its great power, comfortable and elegant style; practical and flexible functionality.

• Exterior

  The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is a six- or seven-passenger SUV available in GLS and Limited trim levels, though the smaller Santa Fe Sport is available in base and 2.0T trim and seats five.

  2013 Hyundai Sante Fe is reputed for evocative exterior with fine aerodynamics compared with its predecessor. The dynamic outlines set off greenhouse treatment underscore by LED-enhanced headlights/taillights, functional spoiler, grille with good finish and door handles. There are also 17-ich alloy wheels plus Sport 2.0T matches 19-ich alloy wheels.

• Interior

  2013 Hyundai Sante Fe has a user-friendly and well-polished cabin design with a modern appearance which is supported by several convenient storage areas, stain and odour resistant fabric and comfortable bucket seats.

  Some of the standard features of Sante Fe include cruise control, trip computer, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, , iPod integration, rear spoiler, etc, coupled with optional features such as roof rack rails, heated front seat, eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, foglights, heated mirrors, etc.

  

• Safety Features

  Standard safety feature of the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe comprise front-seat airbags, brakes, traction and stability control, front-seat active head restraints, Blue Link, telematics system serving the function of emergency assistance and geo-fencing, etc.

• Power-trains and Performance

  The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine which produces 190 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Common with all Santa Fe models is standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. Available only in six-speed automatic transmission, Santa Fe has an EPA-rated mileage of 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined driving for front-drive while AWD has 20/26/22 mpg respectively.

  Meanwhile Santa Fe Sport 2.0T comes with turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generating 264 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque with EPA-estimate of 20/27/23 mpg for front-drive and 19/24/21 mpg for AWD. It sprints 60 mph in 8.1 seconds. While larger GLS and limited models have 3.3-liter V6 that generates 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque with EPA estimate of 18/25/21 with front-drive and 18/24/20 with AWD respectively. AWD Santa Fe Limited sprints to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.

• Diving Impression

  With modern body structure employing 30 percent finer and stronger steel for rigidity enhancement, 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport delivers a more acceptable driving experience. The new Hyundai is reputed for offering greater driving confidence and better control arising from upgraded suspension tuning, driver-selectable steering effort and upgraded power-to-weight ratio.

  Despite bold statement arising from great driving impression, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe’s steering has the capacity to wander on highway. This is coupled with a feeble visibility arising from Santa Fe’s thick rear roof pillars.

• Competitors2013 Hyundai Santa Fe though is a top-tier SUV choice, there are top contenders trying to claim auto compact market. They include Chevrolet Equinox, Kia Sorento, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape as well as Honda CR-V.

• Pros

  • Extended Warranty
  • Roomy interior
  • Reliable economical turbo engine of Sport modelOn hand third-row seating
  • Commendable performance

• Cons

  • Feeble rearward visibility
  • Dead steering
  • Complex navigation controls

• Pricing

  The 2013 Santa Fe Sport’s front-drive is placed at the initial rate of $25,000 while the AWD version starts at $27,000. Meanwhile, in respect to turbo, Sporty 2.0T starts at $28,500 while the 2.0T AWD is $30,000. It costs more than most compact crossovers compared with midsize offerings like Jeep Grand and Ford Edge. There is no pricing for seven-seat model, though there is a general belief that it won’t cost more than $29,170 base price.

• Verdict

  Competitions from seven-passenger seating and  five-speed model may get stronger, there is no doubt that 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will remain a priceless crossover SUV choice especially with its trim configurations, versatile and high-riding, spacious interior, long warranty, and reliability.