NEW FOR 2014:
– New available blind-spot monitoring system and driver’s memory for seats and mirror
– Roof rails now offered with available panoramic sunroof
– New available Saddle leather upholstery
– 2.0T Limited receives standard LED tail lights
After winning the title of 2013 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year, the intermediate-sized Santa Fe Sport crossover gains a couple of new features on premium models for 2014.
Upmarket Limited and Luxury trims gain an available blind-spot monitoring system which comes paired with a memory function for the driver’s seat and exterior mirror; the 2.0T Limited also gains standard LED tail lights to help distinguish it from other trims.
Although the Santa Fe Sport is a two-row crossover and is priced in line with rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, it offers buyers more interior and cargo space. It’s a decent drive, too, thanks to handling that’s more agile than the class average and standard driver-selectable steering weight. The cabin is loaded with plenty of available thoughtful touches including stain-resistant cloth upholstery, second-row window blinds, heated rear seats and steering wheel, and a cabin-brightening panoramic sunroof.
The Santa Fe Sport is available with either a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine (190 hp/181 lb-ft) or a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (264 hp/269 lb-ft) the latter of which competes strongly against rivals’ V6s. Both are offered with a six-speed automatic as the sole transmission.
Trim levels for the Santa Fe Sport are 2.4, 2.4 Premium, 2.4 Luxury, 2.0T Premium, 2.0T SE, and 2.0T Limited. Front-wheel drive is standard on the 2.4, 2.4 Premium, and 2.0T Premium models, with all-wheel drive as an option on 2.4 Premium and 2.0T Premium. All-wheel drive is standard on the remaining trims.
Features on the 2.4 include 17-inch alloy wheels, Active Eco system, air conditioning, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with LCD screen, auxiliary input, USB port, front windshield wiper de-icer, Bluetooth phone connectivity, front centre console with fixed armrest, heated front seats, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, 2nd row 40/20/40 split fold-flat and recline seating, power heated mirrors, power windows with driver’s auto-up/down, roof rails, remote keyless entry with alarm, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, fog lights, chrome exterior door handles, rear spoiler, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, trailer tow wiring, rear privacy glass, and six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar.
2.4 Premium adds automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic temperature control with Clear Air Ionizer, 12-way power driver seat with four-way lumbar, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, rear side window sunshade blinds, and rear parking assist. AWD is available as an option.
2.4 Luxury adds standard all-wheel drive, four-way power passenger seat, 4.3-inch colour touch-screen audio display, rearview camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring system, driver’s memory seat, mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, panoramic sunroof, HID headlights, and sliding 2nd row seating.
2.0T Premium adds (to 2.4 Premium) standard all-wheel drive, dual exhaust, proximity key with push-button start, and supervision cluster with TFT LCD screen.
2.0T SE adds 19-inch alloy wheels, 4.3-inch colour touch-screen audio display, rearview camera, deluxe door scuff plates, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, leather upholstery, mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, panoramic sunroof, and sliding 2nd row seats.
2.0T Limited adds LED tail lights, blind-spot monitoring system, garage door opener, 550-watt 10-speaker Infinity audio system, four-way power passenger seat, HID headlights, navigation with 8.0-inch display, and cooled front seats.
