Santa Fe AWD built to last
This week, we’re driving the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD, another all-new vehicle from Hyundai that’s built at its modern plant in Montgomery, Ala.
Our tester had close to 8,000 miles on the odometer, which is a better indicator of how a new car “reacts” compared to one that has only 500 miles when delivered for a weeklong test. In general, we are impressed with the still tight, “no rattle” infrastructure Hyundai offers up.
Overall, Santa Fe’s new styling and attractive pricing is its major selling point. Starting at just $23,145 for the GLS AWD model, Hyundai’s new SUV ranks right up with many of its pricier competitors and is much nicer than the first generation.
Under the hood, a new all-aluminum 3.3-liter Double Overhead Cam V-6 engine develops 242 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. A 5-speed electronic automatic transmission transfers power to ground, and fuel mileage numbers of 19 city and 24 highway are similar to 2WD units, which surprise us as the AWD weighs a few hundred pounds more at 4,022.
Hyundai’s all wheel drive system is fully automatic, and offers added traction when you need it. This all comes thanks to its American-bred Borg Warner AWD system, which delivers traction to all four corners, all the time, in all weather and road conditions.
Limited models come pretty much loaded, sans a power sunroof and DVD entertainment systems. The Limited model upgrades to leather seating, 18-inch, six-spoke alloy wheels with P235/60R18 tires, dual exhaust outlets, rear spoiler, power driver seat with power lumbar and heated front seats.
Additionally, a roof rack with adjustable rails, automatic air conditioning, all the powers, tilt-and-telescopic steering, cruise keyless entry, windshield wiper deicer, privacy glass, heated outside mirrors, and a fine-sounding AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers are all standard.
More notable standard fare include tire pressure monitors, electronic stability control, four-wheel disc ABS technology, traction control, fog lights, auto headlights and more than 20 other items. A rear cargo screen for $100 and carpeted floor mats for $95 were the only options in addition to the $650 delivery.
Inside, Santa Fe’s cabin is well appointed, offering additional room in all areas. All gauges are perceptible and controls easy to reach. We had no problem entering or exiting both front and rear seating areas during our weeklong test. Our tester came without the third seat, but you can have one for an additional $1,300, including vents and outlets for the climate control.
Hyundai safety features are significant, as it installs all airbags as standard equipment. Included are dual advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags.
The result is NHTSA 5-star ratings for side impact and 4-star on rollovers.
Santa Fe drives like a car yet delivers much more. The V-6 offers good acceleration and excellent passing ability, and in cornering, its new 4-wheel independent suspension platform mechanicals provide comfort and quietness. Overall, AWD Santa Fe’s ride is firmer than the 2WD we tested, which is expected.
Important numbers include a wheelbase of 106.3-inches, 19.8-gallon fuel tank, and up to 78.2 cubic feet of cargo space with seats down. An entry level Santa Fe 2WD starts at just $21,045 with a smaller V-6, so there’s a lot of room for those shopping on a budget. Santa Fe’s base price includes the Hyundai now famous and much copied 100,000-mile, 10-year power train warranty.
This year marks Hyundai’s 20th anniversary of selling cars in America, so we’ll celebrate with them by bestowing a strong 9.5 rating on a scale of one to 10 for the Santa Fe AWD. This Hyundai is agile, comfortable, has an excellent reliability record and delivers the most for your money.
Likes: Style, price, comfort, power, warranty, AWD, safety.
Dislikes: MPG might be suspect, option packages cannot be individualized.