2001 Hyundai Santa Fe - An Impressive SUV
This year's most improved player award has to go to Hyundai. The superb new Elantra is one of the most impressive in its hotly contested class, as is the best luxury value XG 300. While all expected Hyundai to add an SUV to its expanding model line-up, I didn't expect anything like the Santa Fe. Fortunately I was pleasantly surprised.
It's big. Inside and out, the new Santa Fe dwarfs other 'cute-utes', comparing closer to midsize SUVs such as Toyota's new Highlander. A whopping 2860-liters of passenger space, incorporating ample leg and headroom, allow five adults to travel in comfort. What's more, 864-liters of storage is available behind the rear seats. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded down, cargo space increases to 2209-liters.
It drives well. While midsize, the Santa Fe is easy to negotiate through traffic. Plus its wide track and long wheelbase make for agile handling and a comfortable ride. The car-like driving experience comes via a unitized body mounted on an independent MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension system. While this suspension isn't designed for expeditions into the uncharted wilderness, it's excellent for normal driving conditions - dry, wet, snow covered pavement and graded dirt roads.
This year's most improved player award has to go to Hyundai. The superb new Elantra is one of the most impressive in its hotly contested class, as is the best luxury value XG 300. While all expected Hyundai to add an SUV to its expanding model line-up, I didn't expect anything like the Santa Fe. Fortunately I was pleasantly surprised. It's big. Inside and out, the new Santa Fe dwarfs other 'cute-utes', comparing closer to midsize SUVs such as Toyota's new Highlander. A whopping 2860-liters of passenger space, incorporating ample leg and headroom, allow five adults to travel in comfort. What's more, 864-liters of storage is available behind the rear seats. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded down, cargo space increases to 2209-liters.
It drives well. While midsize, the Santa Fe is easy to negotiate through traffic. Plus its wide track and long wheelbase make for agile handling and a comfortable ride. The car-like driving experience comes via a unitized body mounted on an independent MacPherson strut front and double wishbone rear suspension system. While this suspension isn't designed for expeditions into the uncharted wilderness, it's excellent for normal driving conditions - dry, wet, snow covered pavement and graded dirt roads.