The 2014 Santa Fe Sport 2.0T AWD Ltd | Photo: Auto123
Climbing into this week's 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport tester, my passengers and I cursed the bitter wind while I fumbled at the heat controls with stiff fingers. My friend's son, safe in his back seat refuge from boring, old-people conversation, was blissfully enjoying his toasty buns, as this particular Santa Fe boasts rear-seat warmers, too. Wrapping my frozen mitts around the steering wheel, I praised the Korean company for blessing the Santa Fe Sport with a heated wheel – which, I might add, was noticeably absent in the $100,000 German sports car I'd been in the week before.
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What is a Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD?
The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T AWD Limited is a midsize crossover now in its third generation. The Santa Fe is the final vehicle in the Hyundai lineup to be fully recreated in the crisp "Fluidic Precision" design language. It's available in two models: a long wheelbase Santa Fe XL, and our more compact (by 21.5 cm) Santa Fe Sport. It can accommodate up to five passengers in a pinch, though I wouldn't want to be in the middle over the long haul. What the Santa Fe lacks in boast-worthy status, it makes up for in versatility and features. Not all of the premium sedans I've driven lately were as loaded as this midrange crossover. Bluetooth? Yes. Reclining rear seats? Likewise.
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD Price and Specs
Standard are such features as keyless entry, cruise, air, and tilt/telescoping steering wheel.
My Sport 2.0T model automatically comes with heated mirrors, rear-view camera, auto headlights, fog-lights, roof rails and an 8-way adjustable seat, blind-spot monitoring and rear window sunshades. The Technology Packages adds xenon headlights, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front and heated rear seats, Navigation system with 8" touchscreen and a 12-speaker Infinity System.
All those extras come at a cost: While a base model 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L FWD stickers at $28,359, my top-of-the-line Sport 2.0T Limited will set you back $38,899.
With 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, the 2.0T has slightly more low-end power than the popular V6 it replaces, but offers 8% better fuel economy. The single transmission choice is a 6-speed automatic.
Driving the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
The 2.0L turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine has a lively character that makes this crossover fairly enjoyable to drive. The wide power band provides plenty of available torque for quick passing maneuvers.
The steering has three modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport, via a button found beside the wheel. I found "Normal" to be a bit "dart-y" while "Sport" had the most comforting sense of weight -- it doesn't provide much feedback.
Despite the extra weight added by safety technology and sound-deadening insulation, the new Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is 120 kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to the use of high-tensile steel manufactured by Hyundai's own plant in Korea.
The result is an extremely composed chassis that feels nimble over the roughest pavement. The MacPherson strut front, and independent multi-link rear suspension does a great job absorbing bumps, without too much noise or vibration intruding into the cabin which feels very well insulated, although there is a bit of wind noise over the side mirrors.
Travelling the snowed-in country lanes around my area was a snap with the available 4x4 mode -- a feature that will make it attractive to most Canadians.
The Sport 2.0T has been criticized for being less fuel efficient than some of its competitors, so I decided to put it to the test. Over a four-hour road trip that included highway and inner city I achieved an overall 9.9L/100km. However, for a two-hour highway stretch at the speed limit, it hovered between 7.5L and 7.9L/100km. That’s pretty impressive for a 1,681kg, five-passenger, AWD vehicle.
Inside and Out of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
The Santa Fe's design features crisp, flowing lines, an upright grille, and subtle use of chrome brightwork. Flat-black body cladding along rocker panels, wheel arches and front and rear fascia have a visually slimming effect.
The cabin of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe features many of the same elements as the rest of the Hyundai lineup. The modern, geometrically shaped centre stack is flanked by angular air vents, with premium soft-touch materials and aluminum and wood trim.
The interior of my tester was strikingly laid out in a warm tobacco colour and contrasting charcoal. Switchgear is intuitive and easy to use, with an optional 8" touchscreen display on models equipped with the Technology package. Overhead, one of the nicest panoramic sunroofs I've ever seen lets in plenty of light. Leather seats are cushy and comfortable, and rear seats recline and fold flat to provide 2, 025 litres of cargo space. Overall, there's a sense of decent craftsmanship and refinement.
Comparing the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
This is a tough segment with an extensive list of worthy competitors, including the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Kia Sorento. Overall, the Santa Fe scores high in all the important categories: versatility, technology, features, and warranty.
What is a Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD?
The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T AWD Limited is a midsize crossover now in its third generation. The Santa Fe is the final vehicle in the Hyundai lineup to be fully recreated in the crisp "Fluidic Precision" design language. It's available in two models: a long wheelbase Santa Fe XL, and our more compact (by 21.5 cm) Santa Fe Sport. It can accommodate up to five passengers in a pinch, though I wouldn't want to be in the middle over the long haul. What the Santa Fe lacks in boast-worthy status, it makes up for in versatility and features. Not all of the premium sedans I've driven lately were as loaded as this midrange crossover. Bluetooth? Yes. Reclining rear seats? Likewise.
2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD Price and Specs
Standard are such features as keyless entry, cruise, air, and tilt/telescoping steering wheel.
My Sport 2.0T model automatically comes with heated mirrors, rear-view camera, auto headlights, fog-lights, roof rails and an 8-way adjustable seat, blind-spot monitoring and rear window sunshades. The Technology Packages adds xenon headlights, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front and heated rear seats, Navigation system with 8" touchscreen and a 12-speaker Infinity System.
All those extras come at a cost: While a base model 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L FWD stickers at $28,359, my top-of-the-line Sport 2.0T Limited will set you back $38,899.
With 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, the 2.0T has slightly more low-end power than the popular V6 it replaces, but offers 8% better fuel economy. The single transmission choice is a 6-speed automatic.
Driving the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
The 2.0L turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine has a lively character that makes this crossover fairly enjoyable to drive. The wide power band provides plenty of available torque for quick passing maneuvers.
The steering has three modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport, via a button found beside the wheel. I found "Normal" to be a bit "dart-y" while "Sport" had the most comforting sense of weight -- it doesn't provide much feedback.
Despite the extra weight added by safety technology and sound-deadening insulation, the new Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is 120 kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to the use of high-tensile steel manufactured by Hyundai's own plant in Korea.
The result is an extremely composed chassis that feels nimble over the roughest pavement. The MacPherson strut front, and independent multi-link rear suspension does a great job absorbing bumps, without too much noise or vibration intruding into the cabin which feels very well insulated, although there is a bit of wind noise over the side mirrors.
Travelling the snowed-in country lanes around my area was a snap with the available 4x4 mode -- a feature that will make it attractive to most Canadians.
The Sport 2.0T has been criticized for being less fuel efficient than some of its competitors, so I decided to put it to the test. Over a four-hour road trip that included highway and inner city I achieved an overall 9.9L/100km. However, for a two-hour highway stretch at the speed limit, it hovered between 7.5L and 7.9L/100km. That’s pretty impressive for a 1,681kg, five-passenger, AWD vehicle.
Inside and Out of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
The Santa Fe's design features crisp, flowing lines, an upright grille, and subtle use of chrome brightwork. Flat-black body cladding along rocker panels, wheel arches and front and rear fascia have a visually slimming effect.
The cabin of the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe features many of the same elements as the rest of the Hyundai lineup. The modern, geometrically shaped centre stack is flanked by angular air vents, with premium soft-touch materials and aluminum and wood trim.
The interior of my tester was strikingly laid out in a warm tobacco colour and contrasting charcoal. Switchgear is intuitive and easy to use, with an optional 8" touchscreen display on models equipped with the Technology package. Overhead, one of the nicest panoramic sunroofs I've ever seen lets in plenty of light. Leather seats are cushy and comfortable, and rear seats recline and fold flat to provide 2, 025 litres of cargo space. Overall, there's a sense of decent craftsmanship and refinement.
Comparing the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T AWD
This is a tough segment with an extensive list of worthy competitors, including the Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Kia Sorento. Overall, the Santa Fe scores high in all the important categories: versatility, technology, features, and warranty.
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