Yes, you should probably buy a brand new Hyundai Santa Fe. As these lines are written, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe received a few awards, and I suspect there are many more to come.
Despite certain ongoing issues, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe remains a top content, styling and performance contender in the sub-$40k price range. Where some manufacturers are busy convincing consumers to purchase their goods, Hyundai has only to point to its sales numbers -- and accolades.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe covers all bases from affordable to fully loaded affordability and delivers it all smartly. At $35,299, the tested 2.0T SE has equipment similar or better than many luxury cars that cost twice as much. What to fix? The seats could use a little more padding in specific areas, and I’d investigate the source of various rattles.
Santa Fe 3.0
The Hyundai Santa Fe has always been a popular product. The first generation lacked styling (avoiding the word “ugly”) whereas the 2nd, introduced in 2006 as a 2007 model-year, really hit home. From there, Hyundai could only go up.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport merges dynamic lines and a muscular physique that makes potential buyers take a second look. Even in its most basic trim, the Santa Fe physically outclasses the vast majority of its most direct competitors.
In fact, with little effort, the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport immerses itself amongst all of its rivals and emerges as one of the very few that deserves a double take. The new 2013 Ford Escape may be the only other compact crossover that deserves some neck-craning. Bravo Hyundai.
Design meets functionality
Onboard the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, the rave reviews continue. Other than the aforementioned front seats which some found fine, I was unable to come up with constructive criticism. Upon reflection, I would have liked a little more reach from the steering column.
The remainder of all controls and accessories in the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe are clear, large and ergonomically set up. What’s more, the multiple panes of various plastics masterfully come together. Storage bins are as numerous as they are capacious. The same goes for the large trunk and its multiple hidden, under-floor stowage areas.
Of the niceties found within, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport includes Bluetooth, heated front seats, and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. The tested SE further adds the likes of a heated steering wheel and rear seats, leather, rear-view camera, and a panoramic sunroof. Take that $80k+ luxury utility vehicles.
No more V6
Although the previous 3.5L unit performed admirably well, Hyundai has decided to go in a different direction for the Santa Fe. In fact, they’re following the example they actually set forth by supplying only 4-cylinder engines with the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.
With 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of power on tap, this crossover is actually quite quick. Off the line, transmission and throttle reaction time hamper progress slightly. However, once underway, the 2.0T and adjoining 6-speed autobox transform the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe into “something like a phenomenon”... LL Cool J’s song on Satellite radio. Sorry. I meant to say, a rocket. The 80-120 km/h sprint flies by in 5.5 seconds, meaning that passing rigs on the highway is child’s play.
Alternatively, the standard 190 hp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine is a very viable substitute to saving on the entry-level price. As well, on paper, the 2.4L should improve on the 2.0T's less than stellar fuel numbers. The twin-scroll turbocharged GDI motor is rated at 11.0L/100km city and 8.4L/100km highway; however, I could manage no better than 12 combined. The 2.4L should show a 5-10% improvement.
The road conquered
Keeping the boost on the road is a fully independent suspension calibrated to near perfection for this type of vehicle. The ride in the 2013 Hyunda Santa Fe is cautiously sporty; in other words, it provides plenty of comforting pothole-absorbing wheel travel without sacrificing confident handling.
Shod with P235/55R19 Continental CrossContact tires on appropriately sized wheels, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport hangs onto every corner with un-CUV-like grip. In fact, I can think of only a handful of like-minded CUVs that can hold the road as well (the Volkswagen Tiguan being one of them).
Likewise, the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) does a fine job of keeping the driver in complete control. Steering assistance is adjustable through a wheel-mounted button that switches through three modes. Although all modes have equal worth, depending on the driving circumstances, for 90% of owners once the comfort/normal/sport setting has been selected, they’ll forget they can change it.
Despite certain ongoing issues, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe remains a top content, styling and performance contender in the sub-$40k price range. Where some manufacturers are busy convincing consumers to purchase their goods, Hyundai has only to point to its sales numbers -- and accolades.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe covers all bases from affordable to fully loaded affordability and delivers it all smartly. At $35,299, the tested 2.0T SE has equipment similar or better than many luxury cars that cost twice as much. What to fix? The seats could use a little more padding in specific areas, and I’d investigate the source of various rattles.
Santa Fe 3.0
The Hyundai Santa Fe has always been a popular product. The first generation lacked styling (avoiding the word “ugly”) whereas the 2nd, introduced in 2006 as a 2007 model-year, really hit home. From there, Hyundai could only go up.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport merges dynamic lines and a muscular physique that makes potential buyers take a second look. Even in its most basic trim, the Santa Fe physically outclasses the vast majority of its most direct competitors.
In fact, with little effort, the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport immerses itself amongst all of its rivals and emerges as one of the very few that deserves a double take. The new 2013 Ford Escape may be the only other compact crossover that deserves some neck-craning. Bravo Hyundai.
Design meets functionality
Onboard the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, the rave reviews continue. Other than the aforementioned front seats which some found fine, I was unable to come up with constructive criticism. Upon reflection, I would have liked a little more reach from the steering column.
The remainder of all controls and accessories in the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe are clear, large and ergonomically set up. What’s more, the multiple panes of various plastics masterfully come together. Storage bins are as numerous as they are capacious. The same goes for the large trunk and its multiple hidden, under-floor stowage areas.
Of the niceties found within, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport includes Bluetooth, heated front seats, and a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with audio and cruise controls. The tested SE further adds the likes of a heated steering wheel and rear seats, leather, rear-view camera, and a panoramic sunroof. Take that $80k+ luxury utility vehicles.
No more V6
Although the previous 3.5L unit performed admirably well, Hyundai has decided to go in a different direction for the Santa Fe. In fact, they’re following the example they actually set forth by supplying only 4-cylinder engines with the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.
With 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of power on tap, this crossover is actually quite quick. Off the line, transmission and throttle reaction time hamper progress slightly. However, once underway, the 2.0T and adjoining 6-speed autobox transform the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe into “something like a phenomenon”... LL Cool J’s song on Satellite radio. Sorry. I meant to say, a rocket. The 80-120 km/h sprint flies by in 5.5 seconds, meaning that passing rigs on the highway is child’s play.
Alternatively, the standard 190 hp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine is a very viable substitute to saving on the entry-level price. As well, on paper, the 2.4L should improve on the 2.0T's less than stellar fuel numbers. The twin-scroll turbocharged GDI motor is rated at 11.0L/100km city and 8.4L/100km highway; however, I could manage no better than 12 combined. The 2.4L should show a 5-10% improvement.
The road conquered
Keeping the boost on the road is a fully independent suspension calibrated to near perfection for this type of vehicle. The ride in the 2013 Hyunda Santa Fe is cautiously sporty; in other words, it provides plenty of comforting pothole-absorbing wheel travel without sacrificing confident handling.
Shod with P235/55R19 Continental CrossContact tires on appropriately sized wheels, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport hangs onto every corner with un-CUV-like grip. In fact, I can think of only a handful of like-minded CUVs that can hold the road as well (the Volkswagen Tiguan being one of them).
Likewise, the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) does a fine job of keeping the driver in complete control. Steering assistance is adjustable through a wheel-mounted button that switches through three modes. Although all modes have equal worth, depending on the driving circumstances, for 90% of owners once the comfort/normal/sport setting has been selected, they’ll forget they can change it.
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