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Basic Specs
| Base Price | TBA |
| Drivetrain | NA |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | NA |
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| Hwy (MPG) | NA |
| Horsepower | NA |
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Hyundai's mid-size CUV, the Santa Fe, has been totally redesigned and is now entering its third-generation for the latest model year. Introduced for the 2000 model year, the nameplate is now entering teenage hood, and gives buyers a new choice of advanced powertrains, safety, along with comfort and convenience features. The redesign made its debut at the 2012 New York International Auto Show in two variations: the five-seat, two-row Sport that's highlighted here and a seven-passenger, three-row Santa Fe due out at the start of 2013.
Either model sports the carmaker's "fluidic sculpture" design language first seen on the sixth-generation Sonata. Here, it's called Storm Edge. As before, front- and all-wheel drive models will be on offer.
The third-generation CUV uses an all-new architecture that is said to increase distortion rigidity by 16 percent. This structure, along with other improvements, means weight is down by 266lbs compared to the model it replaces in the base front-wheel drive variant.
Four to the Floor
The South Korean carmaker will begin selling the Santa Fe Sport in the summer of 2012. The shorter, lighter model will also be exclusively offered with a choice of four-cylinder engines. Again, Hyundai borrowed from the Sonata sedan here, employing the 2.4-liter Theta II direct-injected four-cylinder making a thus-far estimated 190 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque as the base motivator, which fares well against competitors such as the Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4, and Nissan Rogue. Hyundai touts the best highway fuel economy for any automatic transmission-equipped CUV/SUV on the market for this engine, at an estimated 33mpg. City mpg for this model is estimated at 23. That transmission sports six forward ratios and is designed in-house.
Those who want a little more get-up-and-go may want to opt for the 2.0-liter GDI turbo motor, which should make 264 horsepower and 269lb-ft. It will get slightly worse highway fuel economy, at 31mpg, for the front-wheel drive/automatic combo, and 22mpg in the city. The 2.0T Santa Fe Sport is also 300lbs lighter than its V6-powered predecessor. Either engine combo is rated to tow an impressive 3,500lbs.
New Technologies and Features
While there aren't yet a lot of details, the new Santa Fe will be the first non-luxury CUV to get Torque Vectoring Cornering Control (TVCC) and Driver Selectable Steering Mode (DSSM) for better handling and feel behind the wheel. The former can brake a single wheel depending on traction conditions and to help the vehicle negotiate a curve. The latter offers the choice of Comfort, Normal and Sport electronic power steering feedback levels. Comfort is 10 percent lighter than Normal mode, while Sport adds 10 percent of resistance compared to the default Normal setting.
A Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) will be standard as well across the range for better ascending or descending of steep hills whether on or off the road.
Trim Level Breakdown
Base models will get 17-inch wheels, with the Sport 2.0T upgrading to 19-inch rims with low-profile tires. Both come standard with front-wheel drive and get the option of all-wheel drive.
Roof rack side rails are standard on the 2.0T and optional on the Base trim. A panoramic sunroof is an option on either model.
Inside, there are seven standard airbags, power door locks and windows, A/C and a standard Blue Link infotainment system in either trim. An audio system with a 4.3-inch display is offered in either car, with an eight-inch touchscreen will be offered as an option on either trim, though the Base one will be paired with a Dimension audio system, while the 2.0T option will get Infinity speakers. A push-button starter and proximity key will cost extra on the Base model, with the 2.0T getting it as standard.
A dual-zone climate control system is offered on either trim. Like the Elantra, the Santa Fe Sport 2.0T will get heated front (optional on Base) and optional heated rear seats on either trim, along with a steering wheel that keeps hands crisp in the colder months. An eight-way power driver's seat is an option on the Base model and standard on the turbocharged one. Leather seats will also be optional on either trim.
Five packages will be on offer as well, three for the Base model and two for the 2.0T.
Keeping Occupants Safe
The Santa Fe Sport's safety features are generous and include four-channel, four-sensor ABS, a traction control system, six airbags that include front, side, and curtain bag as well as a seventh, driver knee airbag.
Key Competitors
Hyundai lists the as the Sport's key competitors as the Kia Sorento, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Equinox, and the Toyota RAV4.
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