CD Article: 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GL AWD

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Test Drive:

Now bigger than a Toyota RAV4, the 2007 Santa Fe offers a roomier cabin and cargo area, and an optional third row seat, reports Editor Greg Wilson.  "The Santa Fe has become a 'family vehicle' with the extra interior and cargo space needed for soccer moms with junior soccer players and their friends," he says.  But it's not just about utility, he notes. "The new Santa Fe also offers better performance."    More...

[airbalancer]

They had Santa Fe in the local mall
I found it I could not the driver seat to back enough back, the foot pedals were to close
I would have discount this SUV from my listed because of seating position

[Giant Dwarf]

I recently helped a friend through the search and buying process for a small-mid-size SUV.  She had the Rav4 and Santa Fe nearly neck-and-neck on her wish list after driving a number of other vehicles, and when it came right down to it, the Santa Fe was the better value for her (she bought the vehicle and will keep it for a number of years; isn't impressed by the auto industry's horsepower wars lately either).

I was fortunate enough to get to drive her new, blue SantaFe about a month after she picked it up.  Like Greg Wilson reports in his article, I too was very impressed by the fit and finish of the interior and unlike Greg, I find the exterior styling to be reserved and pleasing in this class (not surprisingly, I also like the Rav4's styling too). 

To drive it showed how wonderfully smooth and quiet it is and that indeed for an SUV it handles quite well.  Not being a truck / SUV guy, it's been a while since I've paid much attention to vehicles like this, but I was surprised to find myself thinking that I wouldn't be totally miserable to have a practical and presumably reliable vehicle like this as a second car to my MX5. 

In my opinion, like with the Sonata, Hyundai has definitely knocked another one out of the park with the Santa Fe.

[prufrock]

I think Hyundai has a great vehicle here. I really like the fact that they are offering so many different trim levels, leading to real options for the consumer.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: a lot of buyers will never use a third row but will use hidden cargo. Hyundai nailed this head on by allowing you to choose exactly what "utility" you have in mind for yourself.

[jww]

More Hyundai value-for-$$. We are looking at a second vehicle right now to supplement our 06 Sonata and the Accent 3dr is the leading candidate, although we are also considering the Kia Rio 5. While in the dealership for a test drive, I just about started drooling over a fully-kitted out Santa Fe. Very nice indeed.

Hyundai just seem to be doing everything right at the moment.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

The 3.3L GL AWD model tested is the one I would go for if shopping this segment. Only thing it's missing for me is the sunroof, unfortunately. Otherwise it has the right options, space, quality look and feel, features, power, and price that I'd be after.

I love the style of the new Mitsu Outlander, but would likely opt for the Santa Fe.

Hadn't really noticed the plastic cladding on the doors and rocker panel on the side before. Is that on all, or just the GL?

[AVToller]

From the appearance standpoint alone, I think the Santa Fe should win the "most improved" award as the previous generation was truly hideous and the current one very pleasant. 

[phatboyc]

Hadn't really noticed the plastic cladding on the doors and rocker panel on the side before. Is that on all, or just the GL?

They all have it and it is the same color plastic for all. I didn't noticed it before either until I was looking at buying the running board for my GLS 5 passenger. It is dark grey in color so I ended up getting the OEM ones to match the color.

[Snowman]

A big two thumbs up. Drove one for a few days as a rental and would rank it right up there in quality, ride, and performance with any Japanese brand.

[Bullet Blue]

Count me in as another who likes it as well. Much better than the previous generation it replaces in terms of style fit and finish. I had the opportunity to sit in one at the local Hyundai dealer and was quite impressed.

[Benjuotterly]

I've searched and compared every compact/mid-sized SUV for the family, like many others, it all came down to Santa Fe and RAV4.  Personally, the quality feeling of the Santa Fe (it just feels like driving a lot more expensive car) bets the RAV4.  I end up got the 2.7 GL FWD with Manual transmission (the most bang for the buck, I think).  I can understand Hyundai wants to give the 5spd a little more sporty kick by using a different gear ratios, but I found the 1st gear and 2nd gear ratio seems too far apart.  The 5th gear also seem a little too much for cruising (3000rpm at 110km/hr).  When the car is in-gear at low rpm, the fuel injection seems jerky, similar feeling as the car about running out of gas or mis-fired.  And maybe it's just me, but why does it takes a long time for the engine rpm to come down after my foot is off the pedal (when I lift my foot off the gas pedal and down with the clutch near the same time, the rpm would increase for another 500rpm before it comes down)??  

[Leviathan]

I end up got the 2.7 GL FWD with Manual transmission (the most bang for the buck, I think).

Gotta luv the 5 speed manual 

When the car is in-gear at low rpm, the fuel injection seems jerky, similar feeling as the car about running out of gas or mis-fired. 

Don't "lug" the engine, you'll do more harm than good! Keep the RPMs somewhere in the 1500-2000 RPM range for cruising.

And maybe it's just me, but why does it takes a long time for the engine rpm to come down after my foot is off the pedal (when I lift my foot off the gas pedal and down with the clutch near the same time, the rpm would increase for another 500rpm before it comes down)?? 

Seems endemic to newer vehicles. I've read that it has to do with emissions although that is paraphrasing someone who heard it from a friend that possibly got it from a service tech that could have been full of BS 

[dave 2]

Test drove one this week.  I can see what the fuss is all about! I'm looking to replace my CRV by spring/summer and was pretty impressed with this vehicle.  Since I purchased my 4th Honda last year(Accord) I always figured I'd stick with Hondas or Toyotas.  Considered Rav4 AWD with 7pass but it's the same price as Sienna AWD. 

Test drove the RAV4 V6 right after a 3.3 GL AWD and must say, except for raw power, the Santa Fe was the better value for me (4-5k less).   The kids (six and eight) were very comfortable in the 3rd row.  I wonder how reliable they will be in the long term though since it's a 1st year model.  Only gripe was the flimsy centre console and armrest (too plasticky).

[jww]

Hyundai is getting so much right. The Sonata got the better centre console to the Santa Fe, while the SF got the improved steering wheel controls. Were the SF out when we shopped the Sonata, it would have been high on the potential list.

Interstingly, a friend of mine just bought a V6 Escape Limited over the SF. He got a better lease deal on the Ford than on the Hyundai. Not surprising - Hyundai is pushing financing and ownership over leasing. They are leveraging their longer warranties as part of the sell. Longer terms, same payment, own the vehicle and have warranty the entire period of time. That's the old way of selling cars on terms. Remember when you would never buy a car for longer than the warranty period - that was what we did in the early 80s on our first brand new car. Went that direction again with the Sonata after leasing, and will likely purchase when we decide on a 2nd car for running about town.

[airbalancer]

Remember when you would never buy a car for longer than the warranty period - that was what we did in the early 80s on our first brand new car.

I do not remember anyone  talking about this though the 70's 80's 90's or 00

I guess we been living in different parts of the world

[Bullet Blue]

It's not uncomon to see people dump their cars at the end of warrenty. That's why you can find lots of used cars for sale with 80,000 kms or 100,000 kms them, usually the time when the warrenty expires.

[dave 2]

Interstingly, a friend of mine just bought a V6 Escape Limited over the SF. He got a better lease deal on the Ford than on the Hyundai. Not surprising - Hyundai is pushing financing and ownership over leasing. They are leveraging their longer warranties as part of the sell. Longer terms, same payment, own the vehicle and have warranty the entire period of time

You're right, as I mentioned in another forum topic, the salesguy didn't want to give me the residual value after a 4 yr lease.  I found this funny as other mfrs have them on their websites.  He was pushing financing and a "new" 60/84 option that I didn't quite understand (finance a reduced amount for 5 yrs and option of financing rest over 2yrs, looks like a form of Future Value???). 

Anyways, this kind of ticked me off for an otherwise nice vehicle.

[simonsez]

Like the majority here, I too was very impressed with this vehicle, I took out a 5 speed manual for a brief test drive last week and put it at the top of my list (Rav4 is also there).  You do get alot bang for the buck here.

My only (minor) gripes were no travelling 2nd row seat (this is great feature imo, either more room for passengers or more room for cargo) and I find the models with the 16" tires look a little out of place on the this vehicle, a 17" would be my choice here.

[jww]

... I mentioned in another forum topic, the salesguy didn't want to give me the residual value after a 4 yr lease.  I found this funny as other mfrs have them on their websites.  He was pushing financing and a "new" 60/84 option that I didn't quite understand (finance a reduced amount for 5 yrs and option of financing rest over 2yrs, looks like a form of Future Value???). 
...

This is Hyundai's new program based on an old theme that the banks have been on about for at least 15 years or more. Think Royal Bank Buy-Back, and you have the Furture Value purchase program from Hyundai, Kia, Honda and a few others. It works similar to a lease, but the car is in your name, not a leaseholder's name. You pay your taxes up front like a purchase. Your payments are based on a fixed value for the vehicle less its future value, which you pay interest only on. We are actually considering this scheme right now as we are looking at 2nd vehicles. Could work well from a cash-flow perspective, and you don't have to worry about wear and tear. But it does mean you are making a longer commitment to the vehicle to get your money's worth.

Also - I found it interesting that from the research we have done, it is cheaper to insure a car that is purchased and financed than one that is leased. Not by much, but there is a premium to some degree when you lease. At least that's what we have learned this past couple of weeks as we have been shopping.

[CptCanuck]

I've been driving this car (3.3 FWD) since October and it's been great.  My brother bought the RAV4, but for us the price difference, quality, and hatch vs. swing-gate made the Hyundai the choice for us.  We were also die-hard car people, but once we realized we needed something that could accomodate the two dogs and be able to haul a lot of cargo we decided to go with the most car-like SUV we could find.