With standard V6 power and room for seven passengers, the Santa Fe sounds a lot like a full-size crossover. In fact, it's closer in size to a compact, which is what makes it such an interesting choice. The Santa Fe delivers the nimble handling of some smaller competitors, but with enhanced capability that might make a larger (and more expensive) vehicle unnecessary.
What's New For 2015
The Santa Fe's steering and suspension have been tightened up for sharper handling, and a hands-free power tailgate joins the option list.
Choosing Your Hyundai Santa Fe
Every Santa Fe carries a 3.3-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. You can stick with the standard front-drive setup or opt for the all-weather capability of all-wheel-drive. It's worth noting that the Santa Fe can tow up to 5,000 pounds, something you can't do with a compact crossover. The interior accommodates seven in three rows, or six with the available second-row captain's chairs. Cargo space comes in a 80 cubic-feet, smack in the middle of the crossover class as a whole.
Hyundai keeps things simple enough by offering just two trim levels:
There are no individual factory options for the Santa Fe, although the usual dealer-installed accessories are available.
The Santa Fe is obviously well equipped from the start, and the large packages make it possible to seriously boost the luxury factor without the sticker running away from you. All-wheel drive adds $1,750 to any model, which sounds like a good deal to us.