Does Hyundai Have Another Award-Winner in the Making?
As you know, I like what Hyundai did with its new 2006 Sonata. I talk about it all the time in our bimonthly long-term updates, including how Hyundai refined everything from styling to perceived quality and driving dynamics,
while it pumped up performance to near premium levels. As you can imagine, I've already put in a request for a 2007 Santa Fe when it becomes available.
I took extra time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to poke around the all-new crossover SUV, and after careful examination came away beyond impressed.
When it was unveiled a chorus of oohs and ahs could be heard, and just one look makes it easy to understand why. It looks superb! Much like the Sonata, only SUV-like. Such styling updates are especially noticeable up front where the sculpted hood lines flow effortlessly into the larger, three strake ovoid grille opening. An athletic looking front fascia integrates twin circular fog lamps and a racy bumper extension protruding out of the lower air intake, a very stylish addition. Flush, softly shaped headlamp clusters meld in with the front fenders, which rise slightly before being pulled rearward over
broad shoulders, bisected by elegant chrome embellished body-colour door handles.
A secondary waistline, more sharply cut, blends the CUV's (crossover utility vehicle) rear quarter panels into the tailgate, meeting up directly with its taillights, which are shaped and angled downward in unison with the rear window outline as they meet up with the license plate cutout, much like the headlamps are shaped and angle down toward the grille. The only reminder of the old Santa Fe, at least all that I could immediately see, is the seemingly reincarnated hinge-like tube that previously stretched from the outer liftgate panel to the license plate recess, but now it has a purpose beyond styling, it's the door handle, and, like the side door handles, is highlighted with chrome and painted body-colour. Very nice.
Inside, it's all about refinement. I find the basic design more elegant, bordering on stunning, with all of the previous
generation's alien-like dash moldings replaced with classy curves, upscale woodgrain and brushed metal accents. Hyundai isn't trying to reinvent the wheel here, but rather do a better job than its Japanese rivals at a far lower price. The business model has worked in the past, and should continue to do so as long as the South Korean-based manufacturer can continue to maintain high levels of productivity in its Montgomery, Alabama plant, where the Sonata is built, soon joined by the new Santa Fe. Before we jump to conclusions about the new Santa Fe sharing its "platform" with the Sonata, it doesn't. Rather, Hyundai has created an all-new purposely built architecture just for its upgraded midsize CUV.
But getting back to Alabama, gone are the days where Hyundai had the competitive advantage of cheap South Korean labour and direct access to cheaper South Korean suppliers, at least when it comes to its large vehicles. Now, Hyundai needs to compete head on with the domestic manufacturers, as well as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and other Asian
carmakers that have set up shop on North American soil, so the fact that they can build cars so well and still bring them to market at a greater value than their rivals is mystifying to say the least.
Not only was I amazed to see that the new Santa Fe features higher grade plastics than the norm in this entry-level midsize CUV class, but I also found that all interior panels fit together snuggly, while dash-mounted buttons click in and out with a nice precise feel, and there's no sloppy play in between either. The same goes for all the dials, which have a nice damped feel to them. Again, the only wiggles within the audio interface, or anywhere else inside the vehicle, will be the four cheery Aussies entertaining the kids - that's a parent-only reference if there ever was one.
As you know, I like what Hyundai did with its new 2006 Sonata. I talk about it all the time in our bimonthly long-term updates, including how Hyundai refined everything from styling to perceived quality and driving dynamics,
 |
| Hyundai unveiled its new 2007 Santa Fe at the Detroit auto show last month, to a chorus of oohs and ahs. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
I took extra time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to poke around the all-new crossover SUV, and after careful examination came away beyond impressed.
When it was unveiled a chorus of oohs and ahs could be heard, and just one look makes it easy to understand why. It looks superb! Much like the Sonata, only SUV-like. Such styling updates are especially noticeable up front where the sculpted hood lines flow effortlessly into the larger, three strake ovoid grille opening. An athletic looking front fascia integrates twin circular fog lamps and a racy bumper extension protruding out of the lower air intake, a very stylish addition. Flush, softly shaped headlamp clusters meld in with the front fenders, which rise slightly before being pulled rearward over
 |
| The new Santa Fe features styling that should be more appealing to a broader audience than its predecessor. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
A secondary waistline, more sharply cut, blends the CUV's (crossover utility vehicle) rear quarter panels into the tailgate, meeting up directly with its taillights, which are shaped and angled downward in unison with the rear window outline as they meet up with the license plate cutout, much like the headlamps are shaped and angle down toward the grille. The only reminder of the old Santa Fe, at least all that I could immediately see, is the seemingly reincarnated hinge-like tube that previously stretched from the outer liftgate panel to the license plate recess, but now it has a purpose beyond styling, it's the door handle, and, like the side door handles, is highlighted with chrome and painted body-colour. Very nice.
Inside, it's all about refinement. I find the basic design more elegant, bordering on stunning, with all of the previous
 |
| Inside the new Santa Fe, it's all about refinement. (Photo: Hyundai Auto Canada) |
But getting back to Alabama, gone are the days where Hyundai had the competitive advantage of cheap South Korean labour and direct access to cheaper South Korean suppliers, at least when it comes to its large vehicles. Now, Hyundai needs to compete head on with the domestic manufacturers, as well as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and other Asian
 |
| Not only does the new Santa Fe feature higher grade plastics than the norm, but all interior panels fit together snuggly. (Photo: Hyundai Auto Canada) |
Not only was I amazed to see that the new Santa Fe features higher grade plastics than the norm in this entry-level midsize CUV class, but I also found that all interior panels fit together snuggly, while dash-mounted buttons click in and out with a nice precise feel, and there's no sloppy play in between either. The same goes for all the dials, which have a nice damped feel to them. Again, the only wiggles within the audio interface, or anywhere else inside the vehicle, will be the four cheery Aussies entertaining the kids - that's a parent-only reference if there ever was one.