Back before gas prices scared SUV owners sensible, most CUV’s were “cute utes.” As the SUV exodus gathered pace, several abandoned truck makers figured SUV refugees were a bit half-assed not fully committed to downsizing. They built CUV’s that are only slightly smaller than their SUV’s, only without the towing capacity, off-road ability and, most importantly, extreme thirst. Never one to miss a trick, the transplants have been growing their CUV’s to nibble away at the same market. Case in point: the Hyundai Santa Fe.
The first generation Santa Fe did battle in the ultra competitive compact segment, squaring off against the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape. The new, second gen Santa Fe is larger, more powerful and more expensive. The mondo-model’s sights are firmly set on the new Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. To see if the bigger, badder Santa Fe could has what it takes to take on the CUV superstars, I took one for a jaunt around the crossover’s spiritual homeland: the 'burbs.
In “The Planet of the Apes,” Charlton Heston asks a female ape if he can kiss her goodbye. "All right,” she concedes. “But you're so damned ugly." And there you have it. While the Santa Fe wants to help you escape the apes, it’s inescapably hideous. The headlights and grille are mounted too low, at the bottom of a sharply sloping bonnet. The profile is so derivative you could play spot the inference for hours. And the rear looks like an unholy union between a Subaru Forester and B9 Tribeca. In short, I wouldn't be surprised if the ghost of Salvador Dali designed the Santa Fe’s sheetmetal.
Take shelter from the horror (the horror) inside, and the spacious cabin reveals a multiple personality disorder. The detail man nailed all the cool bits: satin trim in all the right places, properly colored plastiwood, prudent placed buttonlogy and cool liquid crystal displays. And then the beancounters stepped in. The seat fabric is made out of polyester Halloween costumes. The switchgear offers all the tactile satisfaction of a single use camera. And the wheel-mounted buttons defy easy operation.
The Santa Fe’s got plenty of safety devices: anti lock brakes, traction and stability control; roof mounted side-curtain airbags, seatbelt pretensioners. The brand faithful elevated gadget count includes a not entirely execrable six-speaker boom box with MP3 compatibility. Surprisingly, electronic marriage protection (a.k.a. satellite navigation) is AWOL. Still, pony up a bit more green, and you can have a nice big sunroof, automatic climate control and a full compliment of Sharper Image-style toys.
In keeping with the new CUV XL paradigm, the Santa Fe’s third row seating is a flagrant violation of The Geneva Convention. Suitable for small children? Only if they're very very bad. (I've squirmed my way into the back of a Porsche 911 more easily– and it was more comfortable.) If you’re looking for a sprog carrier that isn’t a fuel-sucking SUV, GM’s badge-engineered XXL Lambda triplets or a big ass Honda Odyssey are a far better bet. Spec your Sante Fe for five, enjoy the humongous trunk and save $1300.
Prepare for a surprise: driving the Santa Fe doesn't suck. Crank over the DOHC V6 and it’s whisper quiet at idle (even more than a similarly equipped Sonata). Put the Santa Fe’s hammer down and smooth things happen. The [optional] 3.3-liter mill spools up with a pleasant sort of growl, and then pits all of its 242hp and 226 ft. lbs. of torque against the CUV’s 4000 lbs. Thanks to a superslick five-speed autobox, the resulting eight second-ish sprint to sixty is remarkable– although fairly slow in any absolute sense.
That said, if you’re in a hurry, hang onto that steering wheel. Unless you spring for the AWD model, slamming on the Santa Fe’s gas FedExes you a big old box of torque-steer. Driving at more sagacious speeds, the Santa Fe’s power-assisted rack and pinion tiller is like a draftsman’s pen: sharp and accurate. The brakes are also superb and the multi-link rear suspension keeps the beast tied down without degrading ride comfort. As a crossover for hauling Ikea boxes and tackling snowy driveways, not hooning with pistonhead bravado, the Santa Fe is an ideal device.
Captain Farago concluded that Hyundai's Sonata would succeed because it was so neutral, and he was right. The Santa Fe almost gets the same assessment, but for the genetically mutated styling. Still, the Santa Fe is cheap (my nicely equipped SE was only $26k), with a wikkid warranty. Ten years ago, those were the only reasons to buy a Hyundai. With the Sonata, they're an added bonus on top of an already good car. The Santa Fe’s appeal lies somewhere in between. In that sense, the new Santa Fe is a bit of a Korean line dancer: two steps forward, one step back.
I personally find the current Santa Fe far more attractive than the first-generation model. I do see a lot of Infiniti FX in the front end, though.
I just recently had a chance to check out the third row, at the Chicago show. Too tight for adults, but should be okay space-wise for kids. This is the only case where I’ve seen the third-row seatback actually stick a bit out of the hatch opening when the hatch is open, though. It’s packaged very tightly, with very little crush space.
To compare prices and check out real-world fuel economy:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Santa.php
Michael, I agree about the styling. There are far worse-looking CUVs out there. This one appears to me like typical Hyundai: generic. But also much less embarrassing than, say, a Tribeca.
Wasn’t this Santa Fe styled by the guy who also did the Lucerne?
An interesting point with the Santa Fe as compared to others like the Forrester, Tribeca, & Honda is that the entry design is very very ergonomic. A huge purchasing decision that my mother had with the Santa Fe was that it passed the grandmother test. It’s very easy to get in and out of, there’s no crouching down as in a car, or stepping up like in most SUV’s/CUV’s. The doorways are wide enough, and the interior seating is pretty admirable, even in the back seats.
The Santa Fe also has significantly more cabin room than both Subaru’s, Honda CR-V, and had more head-room than the Pilot.
I think the Santa Fe is pretty decent for a utilitarian, livable vehicle. What I found laughable was the “premium” interior she had: stickered faux woodgrain (peeling off already when she first bought it) and plasti-chrome shifter & knobs. For crying out loud…
Aw c’mon…compared to how other CUV’s in the market look (CR-V, Rendezvous) the Santa Fe isn’t that ugly.
That’s Forester isn’t it?
I think it’s the best looking one in the segment, apart from the new RAV-4.
Also of note is that this is produced along with the Sonata in the same plant, one of the newest and most advanced facilities in the world. Hyundai is still working from behind, but it won’t be long before they’re positioned where Honda was 15 years ago.
One of the biggest things working against them is their name. First, you’ve got their reputation for the last decade (of mediocre crap) and second, you’ve got their seemingly-derivative company name that doesn’t really get instant recognition (according to the people I’ve chatted with over the years). Not sure how they’ll overcome this, or if they’ll really need to.
Yes, one “r” in Forester. Took me forever to get that one straight myself.
Guess I’m not the only person who actually finds the Santa Fe attractive. Competitors I do find unattractive:
Honda Pilot
Mitsubishi Endeavor
Subaru Tribeca
Suzuki XL7
Toyota Highlander (even the 2008)
That’s Forester isn’t it?
Yep. It’s fixed. Thanks for catching that.
What about the Nissan Murano. My wife just leased one and it is starting to grow on me. Drives decently and is pleasant on the eyes. Now if only it had a manual.
She had a Highlander before that and it never had the same effect on me.
I think it looks good also, but certainly nothing original. Sometimes the best thing is to make sure you DONT offend. Just ask the Sube B9 Tribeca, the vechicle tied for worst name and worst front end.
But then again I own a Commander so what do I know.
love it or leaves you cold, at least Hoon-die tries to style.
In SoFlo a current Honda commercial for their (they call it) “truck” line has all the Honda ute boxes lined up at commercials end and I think “Gawd what a bunch of butt-ugly cars!” Them’s too ugly to be called trucks.
webebob
That ad is nationwide. It made me look with the term “Honda trucks” (internal monolog: “Honda doesn’t make trucks!”). They include Element. Nuff said.
I actually like the front end and the sides (low-ish beltline). For a CUV, the sleeker front end almost makes sense. Get over the interior bits and its not a bad ride overall, especially for the price.
Sometimes 800 words can be too short, especially when you’re trying to be clever. To be fair, I feel this way about other reviews, but this one even more so.
And for what it’s worth, I find this gen Santa Fe styling far less polarizing than the previous generation, less “Korean” and more Toyota-like, circa 2001 or so. Which isn’t a bad thing, sales wise.
I could be wrong, though.
Still not my cup of tea, but closer to middle America, I’m guessing.
The headlights… are mounted too low
Are they actually below car drivers’ eye level? The horror indeed.
tlcastle:
feel free to email me at justinberkowitz@yahoo.com if you like (that goes for anyone else, too).
A few things:
Invoking Salvadore Dali is similarly ridiculous and hyperbolic.
Not at all. I see a very similar, analagous relationship between drooping, fluid clocks in “The Persistence of Memory” and the somewhat irregular, drooping front clip of the Santa Fe.
On Santa Fe’s 3rd row seat: I haven’t tried it, so I don’t know. But based on the hyperventilating found throughout most of the rest of the review, I doubt it’s tighter than the back “seat” of a 911.
If you re-read, I was talking about the difficulty of ingress and egress, and though it may sound like exaggeration to you, it is not at all. In part, the problem is inherent in all third row vehicles, but I found the Hyundai especially challenging.
“Driving the Santa Fe doesn’t suck.” Same observation.
The majority of midsize SUVs and CUVs are unpleasant to drive compared to equivalent cars. My perception is based on the experience of poor steering feel, bad handling, and extreme levels of body roll I have found in my time driving most of these vehicles on sale in the US.
I really appreciate your honest criticism. Being as ugly as I am, I have learned not to be offended easily. Now, if I may hazard a little suggestion of my own: this website is meant to offer honest, opinionated reviews of cars, in a pithy and entertaining format. It is not, nor will it ever be (I hope), tabula rasa reviews a la Consumer Reports. There is nothing wrong with CR’s reviews, it’s just not what to expect here.
Mr Nutbags, I agree. My wife too drives a Murano, and its most redeeming quality is the VQ35. Nissan’s V6 breathes life into anything they put it in. The maxima is wicked with it, and I even drove a Quest (yes, a minivan) with a lot more enthousiasm than minivan drivers would normally put in driving one.
The Murano does suffer from its 1-speed conehead CVT transmission though (I’ve heard it refered as rubber band from hell). You have to get used to it, you have to know how it reacts before you can squeeze maximum thrust from the VQ. But it’s possible.
Otherwise it’s a pretty comfortable car to drive (oops, I meant Crossover).
Appearances are subjective, but at least from the photographs I can’t understand what’s so objectionable about the Santa Fe’s exterior design (and I say that as someone with no interest in this cuv or intent to purchase anything within it’s class)… doesn’t look to bad to me, and certainly seems more visually appealing than many of it’s competitors.
The previous one had that weird kink at the rear doors’ lower cladding, which made it look like it had been severerly dented. The designers must have misplaced their French curve that day.
Anyway, this one is miles ahead of its predecessor in visual appeal (just like Sonata).
Actually, the writing style on this site is one of the reasons I visit it regularly. I suppose the same information can be communicated in a less superfluous manner. But reading Consumer Reports isn’t exactly entertaining.
The Santa Fe sounds like a very capable vehicle. And boring but capable vehicles can sell very well.
I too think this is a pretty attractive vehicle in its class. I’m not getting the hatred.
tlcastle: if you get banned for that comment I will boycott this site, as much as I love it. (I don’t suspect that will happen, given the way Mr. Berkowitz accepted your criticism.) I do get the impression sometimes that the default position on some vehicles is negative, and praise is only given grudgingly.
But the reviewers are, like us, human and everyone brings their opinions to the table. And while Hyundai has made tremendous strides, and will no doubt continue to do so, you can’t say they haven’t earned some of that negative bias (along with several other manufacturers which shall remain unnamed).
Justin–posting your email address like that is practically chumming for spambots. It’s probably already too late.
The Murano is available with a manually-shiftable CVT that mimics a conventional automatic. Just go with the SE trim.
Getting in and out of the Santa Fe’s third row is more difficult than most. Some that provide a larger path include the GM Lambdas, Ford Freestyle/Taurus X, and upcoming Hyundai Veracruz.
As several have pointed out, the Santa Fe is generally better in design and appearance than its predecessors or current competitors. I personally love the exterior design from front to rear and find it more appealing than anything else in the size or price class. I even find it more appealing than the Infiniti which is much more expensive. Virulence and spite to support a personal matter of taste is like the comic who goes blue – shock value rather than content.
By the way:
My frame of reference for CUVs often being bad to drive: The comparison is based on what economists would call “substitute goods,” by which I mean vehicles that people might reasonably buy instead even if they are not directly competitive (i.e. apples are a substitute good for oranges). The market that forms the basis of my opinion are large sedans, wagons, tall wagons (i.e. Ford Freestyle-cum-Taurus X), body-on-frame SUVs, and car-based CUVs, all between $20 and $35k.
Whoa guys, what’s with the reviews of the car reviews? That’s a bit obnoxious isn’t it?
I mean, I disagree with some of Berkowitz’s comments, especially about styling in regards to the Santa Fe but really doesn’t the reviewer strike the right tone in the article? It seems that while he has praised the vehicle for being above average in some aspects of the CUV class he is also, at times implicitly, condemning the vehicle for many of the shortfalls that are inherent in CUV’s compared to sedans; not an easy thing to do. In my opinion, that makes for a pretty good review. Besides, this is TTAC, and Berkowitz has been traditionally by far one of the more constrained writer’s in terms of style and diction (although since this is TTAC, I suppose that might not be saying much); so all the comments about the too “pithy” writing seems unwarranted.
And although he’s way too harsh on the styling the line about the switchgear offering “all the tactile satisfaction of a single use camera” is absolutely killer.
Good work Mr. Berkowitz.
Why is there no mention of the Mazda CX-7?
Steven Lang:
There’s no mention of it because I haven’t driven one for more than 10 minutes, and I don’t want to pull a Jason Blair.
“The Murano is available with a manually-shiftable CVT that mimics a conventional automatic. Just go with the SE trim.”
Mmm… Too late. We already bought it :)
I think the simulated 7 speed is new for 07, (ours is 06). And in any case, I thought the suspension was hard enough in an SL. It does not matter much because it’s my wife’s car and that’s exactly what she wanted.
Good review. Car OK, although I would wait 3 months for the new Highlander or 8 months for the new Pilot. I’m nervous about Hyundai resale value.
I’ve always liked the looks of the Tucson more…wait, why is there a Tucson and a Sante Fe?
I would still say that the Mazda is a pretty strong competitor to the Santa Fe. There’s a very substantial portion of the automotive market that’s orientated towards imports, but doesn’t want to pay the showroom premium of a Honda or Toyota.
To me, the CUV and compact SUV markets offer the public an interesting paradox. We have a company that makes very conservative vehicles, Toyota, offering the sports oriented vehicle with the RAV-4. While Honda’s sport orientation is really not apparent at all with the CR-V. In fact, the CR-V is considered to be more of a minivan alternative than an SUV alternative in the marketplace. Then of course we have the CX-7 which competes primarily with the RAV-4, the Santa Fe, which is more reminiscent of a CR-V, and a long list of compact SUV’s and CUV’s that can’t compete to save their ‘axxes’ from first base.
There was a time where the CR-V and RAV4 were considered to be compact SUV’s due in great part to their dimiutive size. In fact, the 1st gen door RAV4 was much more like a Geo Tracker than a Ford Escape when it first came out. Unfortunately now, these models have lost their handling and fun-to-drive characteristics in exchange for a comfortable, super size-me driving experience.
And that’s really why this entire segment generally stinks to high heaven. Instead of vehicles that are compact, sporty, and involving, we now have SUV mini-me’s that seem hellbent on isolating the driver.
The folks who are reading these reviews should take note of the fact that the Subaru Forester was probably the most praised ‘affordable’ vehicle that’s ever been road tested. Unlike all the other vehicles mentioned above, the Roo is actually able to involve the driver with the open road.
No matter how you grow or shrink an SUV, it’s still a damned SUV. Hell, even a 1989 Mercedes Benz 300 TE Wagon offers more fun, thrills and comfort than these inbred corporate compromises.
Five seats, twenty-five grand, all wheel drive.
Sounds a lot more like WRX wagon than any Hyundai to me…
It’s a shame the SF lost the styling and appeal of the 1st generation. My wife owns a 02 and we like it very much. Typical newer Hyundai – a lot for the $$ and a great warranty.
I think an important aspect not addressed in the article is how far Hyundai has managed to come in a mere decade. Quickly recall any comments you remember making in the 90’s about any Hyundai and then compare them to comments now about the Santa Fe. Sure, the plastiwood and chrome stickers are still being used on the “premium” interior, but I’m willing to bet that pieces don’t fall from the overhead or that the dashboard vents don’t pop out under acceleration within a month of ownership like they did in ’97.
Seeing photos of the upcoming 2008 Cadillac CTS, I can remember looking at the outgoing CTS when it first debuted and thinking to myself that Cadillac so close to nailing it, I can almost feel it coming.
This Santa Fe is an honest effort by a company the 2.5 might be looking at smack dab in the middle of the rearview mirror in another decade. I can almost feel it coming.
“And that’s really why this entire segment generally stinks to high heaven. Instead of vehicles that are compact, sporty, and involving, we now have SUV mini-me’s that seem hellbent on isolating the driver.”
A large percentage of the public prefers cars that isolate the driver from the driving experience. One look at the success of Lexus is proof enough of that. Those people aren’t looking for a vehicle that is compact, sporty or involving, which is precisely why this segment appeals to them. Should the manufacturers ignore or risk alienating those consumers?
There are also people who do value those things, but don’t care about them or look for them in an SUV. A few years ago I owned and split time driving a Mini Cooper S, an M5 and a Landcruiser. The Landcruiser was anything but compact, sporty or involving to drive, but you know what? I enjoyed owning it every bit as much as I did the MC and the M5. I flat out loved that thing, and I value road feel, handling and fun to drive as much as anyone.
What throws me off, is why does Hyundai need 3 CUV’s and a Minivan? I’m not necessarily questioning the need of the Minivan, but why on top of that, the Veracruz (fullsize CUV, practically the same niche as the Entourage but with a little glitter thrown in), the Santa Fe( I’m assuming it’s midsize now), and the Tuscon(the compact CUV)? In today’s market I can understand the need for a compact and midzise CUV. Why a fullsize?
But I digress, I’m going off track. I don’t mind the looks of the Santa Fe. The interior is still a bit too “Korean” if you will, but other than that, I find it pretty inoffensive. I guess that’s the point. Inoffensive sells cars, sex sells everything else. If only…
Jordan Tenenbaum:
Hyundai would say that each CUV has its niche – compact (Tuscon, competing with 4-cylinder RAV4s, CRVs); midsize (Santa Fe, competing with 6-cylinder RAV4s, Highlanders, Pilots, Edge etc); full size – vehicles that have a slightly more usable third row (GMC Acadia, Mazda CX-9, uh…)
And the minivan is well, the minivan. Different markets, totally.
Maybe. I guess I just don’t get it. Until then, I’ll patiently await the next trend. Here’s hoping it’s premium compact cars.
Jordan Tenenbaum –
For some of us, compact cars won’t do – so a sensible CUV is reasonable. My large frame has a hard time getting in and out of Camrys and Accords, let alone anything smaller, so a CUV like a CRV, Santa Fe, Pilot, etc, is one of the more responsible vehicles we can drive.
I agree, the lack of the perceived premium small car segment viability hurts – heck, even Ford won’t bring the current gen Euro Focus over because they feel the price point would be too high for Americans. Having driven the current US Focus lately, they’re missing the boat, I think.
Jordan – there are a few premium compacts available now and at least a couple more coming soon. You have the Golf (3 versions – reg., GTI and R32), Audi A3, BMW 135i and Volvo C30. I agree that the selection pales in comparison to what’s available in Europe, but that’s not bad. In fact, that’s the same # of choices as you have with premium compact s/cuvs (Lexus RX, Infiniti FX, Acura RDX, BMW X3).
Also, could you expand upon your comment that the interior is too “Korean”? I would certainly agree that cars designed in Japan tend to have different interior styles from those designed in Europe, but I think this is the first time that I’ve heard of a separate and distinct Korean style. If anything, I’ve most commonly heard Korean car interiors described as being highly derivative – i.e. lacking in their own unique style.
After seeing your view of the appearance of the Santa Fe I must point out that if you turn to the word ugly in the dictionary you will find a picture of the 2007 Honda CRV with its bot dot bumpers, horrendous grill, and lousy rear side window line. To say nothing of the ugly cheap plastic pull handles on the inside of the doors and the cheap looking pin holed dashboard cover material. The Hyundai is beautiful by comparison
I see all of the comments above are old but for anyone else that might be interested in another opinion about the Santa Fe here is my :humble” opinion: I have been researching the SUV market for the last month in an effort to find the perfect SUV. Originally started out looking at the Prius — I know, I know, it is not and SUV and it is not a CUV but the tis where we, my wife and I, started. If you are looking strickly for economy the prius is the only — and I mean “only” — choice at this point, even with the corrected MPG sticker on the 2008 models. Nothing touches them in that department. If, on the other hand, you are looking for comfort and extreme safety you best be looking at the crossover SUV. They have computer wheel monitoring that will (in my humble opinion)eventually be standard on all vehicles but the SUV market has it all right now.
It took me a great deal of time to get over the dread Hyundai stigma of the past. Hyundai, however, seem to have reinvented themselves and stopped making throwaway cars and have quietly stepped into the number three spot in auto sales on the world market — not bad for a “loser”.
I have driven them all and I have to admit the Hyundai (with that name my small mind sees the “day of the Huns” invading Europe. Are the Koreans related?) is a solid, easy to handle, cush ride. It powers up steep grades with no problem and, unlike the Honda CRV, is quiet at all speeds.
Me again — seems there is a word limit and I’m not done.
The Honda CRV would be a nice town vehicle but on the freeway it is a road noise boom box. We looked at the Pilot, the Highlander, the Rav4, Marano (sp), Forester, Escape (I liked this in the high-end model), Liberty and found something wrong with all of them. There is no perfect SUV but the Hyundai came in first in our book of “got to haves”. While we liked the up scale models in the Honda, and Toyota lines the price choked us out. You can get nearly the same in the Hyundai Santa Fe. We are waiting for the 2008 models and will most likely buy on. We had been trying to buy the 2007 Limited Santa Fe to get the year end savings but they are getting hard to find, the choices are shrinking fast and why do you think? People who have done their homework are quietly driving them off the lots. You snooze, you lose, so I guess we wait for the 08.
I have driven all the suv’s on the market in this class and this is by far the best in class hands down. You people are too hung up on the looks of the body. It is very close to the audi in looks and the interior is well above mitsu, honda and toyota.
This segment is not my cup of tea but when my mother totaled her Subaru Forester, it was time to do some homework.
We went out Saturday and test drove the following:
Nissan RAV4
Toyota Rouge (the Montero is its bigger brother)
Subaru Forester
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
Honda CRX
and tried to find a Mitsubishi Outlander
The three most important criteria for my aging mother were visibility, ride comfort, and accessability.
She loved her Forester and the new one is larger and rides better. Great visibilty but it did not win out in our test drive against the others. Came in third.
The Toyota Rouge came in second. Nice power, nice ssmooth ride, but poor visibilty out the small and slanted rear window.
The real shock to me was that there was more in common among the vehicles than differences. I have to admit to some bias going into this process and thought for sure the Toyota or the Honda would win this contest. Hyundai was the last one I considered to be the best for my mother’s needs. I was pleasantly surprised and can now believe all the hype I have read about the Genesis and other products that have won favor with reviewers.
The Santa Fe had the best fit and finish in the interior, nice power, great ride for the segment, brakes are more than adequate, and the visibilty and ride height just made my mother feel very comfortable. She does not like leather (she is adamant that she slips around too much) but the telscoping steering wheel and height adjustment was an added bonus. The remote keyless entry with alarm was also a plus. The option package four was primarily for the power seat convenience. It also was a breeze to park and maneuver which was high on my list for her.
Throw in the awesome warranty and a sale price of $22,500 for the Santa Fe SE with option package 4 and you could not ask for a better all around deal.