Hyundai Santa Fe
Encyclopedia
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV
based on the Hyundai Sonata
platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe
, New Mexico
, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape
/Mazda Tribute
and Pontiac Aztek
. The Santa Fe was a milestone in the company's restructuring program of the late 1990s because, despite receiving criticism from journalists for its obscure looks, the SUV was a hit with the American buyers. The SUV was so popular that at times, Hyundai had trouble supplying the demand. The Santa Fe quickly became Hyundai's best seller and contributed to Hyundai's success in the United States
.
As of 2007, the mid-size crossover SUV
Santa Fe falls between the compact SUV Tucson
and the related luxury crossover SUV Veracruz
(which was preceded by the Terracan
).
The 2nd Gen Hyundai Santa Fe was awarded 2008 Consumer Reports
"top pick" and was among the top 10 vehicles for 2008 unveiled in the magazine's issue. The magazine's annual ratings, based on road tests and predicted safety and reliability, are considered highly influential among consumers.
The 2nd Gen Hyundai Santa Fe topped the “20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure” list by Insure.com. According to research, the Santa Fe is the least expensive vehicle to insure. Low rates tend to reflect a vehicle’s safety.
four-cylinder
engine was standard equipment and could be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. A 2656 cc Delta V6 offered more power than the four-cylinder but was only available with the automatic
. Front wheel drive was standard (with traction control optional with the V6) and 4WD
was optional. A 2.0 L Common Rail Turbo Diesel (CRTD) was offered outside the United States. Australian Santa Fes went on sale in November 2000 with only one engine/transmission choice - a 2.7L V6 mated to a four-speed semi-automatic transmission
. 4WD was standard. A cheaper 2.4L four-cylinder joined the range several months later in 2001, but was only available with a manual transmission.
Mid-2002
In a rare mid-year model change, Hyundai increased the size of the fuel tank from 17 to 19 U.S. gallon
s and reorganized the location of the badges on the tailgate. The interior layout of the console and the position of the clock were also changed.
Mid-2004
Midway through the year the AM
/FM
antenna was moved from on the glass in the rear drivers side window to a three inch (76 mm) rubber antenna in the center of the roof just above the tailgate.
.
In Australia, all models received body-colored (painted) bumpers from 2005 on. The color 'Sandstone' was discontinued in favor of a slightly different color named 'Mocha Frost'. The GL trim was dropped as was the four-cylinder engine and its respective 5-speed manual transmission. The 2.7 L V6 took over duties as the base engine. A passenger airbag cutoff that prevents the airbag from deploying if the seat is unoccupied (or occupied by a small person) was also added. A 3-point seatbelt was added to the center rear seating position, as well. The calendar function, housed in the overhead console was removed and a compass took its place.
In Europe
, the new Santa Fe model was launched in April as a 2006 model, offering a new 2.2-litre diesel engine and updated 2.7-litre petrol V6.
with Hyundai Motors that began in 2002, a Chinese company, Hawtai Motor
, manufactured the first-generation Santa Fe. While it did make Hyundai-branded models for sale on the Chinese market, one of the versions it debuted under its own brand name in 2009 was the Santa Fe C9. Utilizing a Rover
-acquired engine, it may have been priced at a significant discount to those bearing the Hyundai name.
Hyundai ended its partnership with Hawtai in 2010.
. The first production Santa Fe rolled off Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama
assembly line on April 18, 2006. It shares this assembly line with the current generation Hyundai Sonata
. The new generation sheds the old style's quirky design in favor of a more contemporary look.
In the United States
, the new generation is offered in GLS, SE, and Limited versions. The new Santa Fe sees the return of a manual transmission
, but only when mated with the 2656 cc V6. The 3342 cc V6 (a retuned version of the same engine found in the Sonata) is standard on the SE and Limited and comes only with a 5-speed automatic. Both 2WD and AWD models with a 3.3 L have a fuel economy of 19 miles per US gallon city and 24 miles per US gallon highway. The 2.2l diesel engine(not available in the US) with 186 hp has mixed cycle of 7.2l and a city cycle of 8.0l. The 4WD is a Borg-Warner Torque Management device, which diverts power to the wheels with best grip according to the amount of slip. If the front wheels spin slightly, 10% of the torque will transfer to the rear axle. If the front wheels start to slip a lot, 50% of the torque will transfer to the rear axle. Body lean in turns, a problem with the previous generation, has been reduced in the new Santa Fe. Both road and wind noise have also been reduced.
Newly standard on the latest iteration of the Santa Fe are all the safety features the previous model lacked or charged as extra. Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), side-curtain airbags for all seating rows, a tire pressure monitor, active front head restraints, and anti-lock brakes are all standard. A heated windshield wiper grid located in the front wipers' 'park' position helps to thaw ice buildup on the blades in colder climates. Some features like the tailgate flip glass and the lower body cladding were not integrated into the new model.
The interior has been upgraded as well with blue-lit dashboard controls (unlike the green color used in other Hyundai models), a gated shifter pattern, illuminated cup holders, and higher quality leather on Limited models. The rear seat head restraints caused visibility problems in the previous model due to their size. The new style features 'shingled' head rests that when lowered completely, sit flush with the top of the seat, helping to maximize rear visibility. The middle rear seating position now comes with its own head restraint and a three-point seat belt built in. LATCH child seat anchors are also standard, and an optional 50/50 third row seat allows Santa Fe to seat seven passengers.
Pricing remained competitive despite the upward move in size and feature content.
In Malaysia, Hyundai Santa Fe is available as a Complete knock down model rebadged as Inokom
Santa Fe. The Inokom Santa Fe is only available in CRDi 2.2-liter
I4 Diesel and 2.7-liter
V6.
was offered and the Infinity
sound system and the power glass sunroof were made standard on Limited models. The non-metallic white paint trim was dropped, leaving the pearl white as the only white color available on the Santa Fe.
plug-in for the stereo system. Because of the black mirrors and wheel covers, the additional cost of the iPod adapter was negated, leaving the base price of the vehicle unchanged.
hands-free phone connectivity and steering wheel audio controls, new darker wood trim, and a metallic steering wheel inlay. Gauges receive a new font and backlight design. A new touch-screen navigation system with rear back-up camera is now available. Finally, for the US market, the optional third row seat was discontinued leaving the larger Veracruz
to be the only currently sold Hyundai in the United States to seat more than five persons.
Powertrain changes include a standard six-speed manual transmission
and optional six-speed automatic transmission
. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6
that is shared with the Kia Sorento
. Both generate a higher power as well as obtain higher fuel economy than the previous model. Sales began in early January 2010.
sound system became standard on Limited trim whereas it had only been previously bundled with the optional navigation system. Five new colors were added, as well, including Moonstone Silver, Frost White Pearl, Sonoran Red, Mineral Gray, and Espresso Brown.
On September 1, 2010, North American production of the Santa Fe shifted to Kia
's new West Point, Georgia assembly plant for the 2011 model year. This was done to free up production capacity at the Alabama plant
for the new Sonata
and new Elantra
.
. It also received maximum 5 star safety ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA). The Hyundai Santa Fe earned maximum five star safety rating from Australasian New Car Assessment Program
(ANCAP).
The Second-generation Hyundai Santa Fe topped the “20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure” list by Insure.com.
.
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
based on the Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
platform. Named after the city of Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, it was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV, released at the same time as the Ford Escape
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is a compact SUV sold by the automaker Ford Motor Company introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model year and priced below the Ford Explorer. Although technically it's a crossover vehicle, it is marketed by Ford as part of its traditional SUV lineup rather than its separate crossover lineup...
/Mazda Tribute
Mazda Tribute
The Mazda Tribute is a compact SUV made by Japanese automaker Mazda since 2001. It is jointly developed with Ford Motor Company and based on the front-wheel drive Mazda 626 platform, which is in turn the basis for the similar Ford Escape on the CD2 platform...
and Pontiac Aztek
Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek was a mid-size crossover, the first offered by General Motors, that was produced by Pontiac from the 2001 model year to the 2005 model year. The Aztek was heavily criticized on its exterior styling, with Time magazine in 2007 calling the Aztek one of the worst cars of all time,...
. The Santa Fe was a milestone in the company's restructuring program of the late 1990s because, despite receiving criticism from journalists for its obscure looks, the SUV was a hit with the American buyers. The SUV was so popular that at times, Hyundai had trouble supplying the demand. The Santa Fe quickly became Hyundai's best seller and contributed to Hyundai's success in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
As of 2007, the mid-size crossover SUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
Santa Fe falls between the compact SUV Tucson
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson , or ix35 in Europe, or Hyundai JM in Japan, is a compact crossover SUV built and marketed by the Hyundai Motor Corporation. In Hyundai's lineup, the Tucson fits below the Santa Fe and Veracruz....
and the related luxury crossover SUV Veracruz
Hyundai Veracruz
The Hyundai Veracruz is a crossover SUV produced by Hyundai from 2006. The Veracruz is sold in the United States, Canada, South Korea, China, Dominican Republic, Brazil, and the Middle East.- History :...
(which was preceded by the Terracan
Hyundai Terracan
The Hyundai Terracan is a SUV that was produced by Hyundai Motor Company from 2001 to 2007. It was based on the Hyundai Highland concept . The target market for the Terracan mainly consisted of middle aged people looking for a cheaper alternative to other urban SUV's such as the Ford Explorer...
).
The 2nd Gen Hyundai Santa Fe was awarded 2008 Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
"top pick" and was among the top 10 vehicles for 2008 unveiled in the magazine's issue. The magazine's annual ratings, based on road tests and predicted safety and reliability, are considered highly influential among consumers.
The 2nd Gen Hyundai Santa Fe topped the “20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure” list by Insure.com. According to research, the Santa Fe is the least expensive vehicle to insure. Low rates tend to reflect a vehicle’s safety.
2001
In its first year in production, the Santa Fe was offered with one of two engine and transmission combinations. In North America, a fuel-efficient 2.4 LLitér
- External links :*...
four-cylinder
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engine was standard equipment and could be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. A 2656 cc Delta V6 offered more power than the four-cylinder but was only available with the automatic
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. Front wheel drive was standard (with traction control optional with the V6) and 4WD
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
was optional. A 2.0 L Common Rail Turbo Diesel (CRTD) was offered outside the United States. Australian Santa Fes went on sale in November 2000 with only one engine/transmission choice - a 2.7L V6 mated to a four-speed semi-automatic transmission
Semi-automatic transmission
A semi-automatic transmission is an automobile transmission that does not change gears automatically, but rather facilitates manual gear changes by dispensing with the need to press...
. 4WD was standard. A cheaper 2.4L four-cylinder joined the range several months later in 2001, but was only available with a manual transmission.
2002
The Santa Fe entered its second year without any changes. Demand for the Santa Fe continued to be up but owners had several suggested changes for Hyundai.Mid-2002
In a rare mid-year model change, Hyundai increased the size of the fuel tank from 17 to 19 U.S. gallon
Gallon
The gallon is a measure of volume. Historically it has had many different definitions, but there are three definitions in current use: the imperial gallon which is used in the United Kingdom and semi-officially within Canada, the United States liquid gallon and the lesser used United States dry...
s and reorganized the location of the badges on the tailgate. The interior layout of the console and the position of the clock were also changed.
2003
In 2003, Hyundai responded to some of the customer complaints and suggestions such as the fact that the hood used a prop and not gas struts, there was no light in the glove compartment, and the car itself did not have enough power. In 2003, Hyundai introduced the 3.5-liter V6 in addition to the other two gas engines in North America. The bigger engine came with a computer-controlled four-wheel drive system. Automatic transmission models were given a chrome shift gate surround as opposed to the matte silver plastic style used in the 2001 and 2002 models. A Monsoon high-performance sound system came standard on the mid-level GLS model and came with a 6-disc CD changer on the top-tier LX. Rounding out the changes in the 2003 model was the discontinuation of the highly unpopular Pine Green which in some owner circles has gained the nickname 'Yucky Green'. In Australia, the four-cylinder Santa Fe was dropped in 2003, due to slow sales, leaving the 2.7L V6 automatic as the only model.2004
Hyundai continued to post sales records with the Santa Fe as it rolled into 2004 with very minor changes. The manual climate controls on the base GL and mid-line GLS were revised very slightly. The remote keyless entry system was given a confirmation 'chirp' when the 'LOCK' button on the remote was pressed twice.Mid-2004
Midway through the year the AM
AM broadcasting
AM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
/FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
antenna was moved from on the glass in the rear drivers side window to a three inch (76 mm) rubber antenna in the center of the roof just above the tailgate.
2005
The Santa Fe received its final face lift for 2005. Changes were made to the grill, taillights, rear bumper, interior instrument cluster. The instrument cluster was redesigned with the speedometer now reading 140 mph (earlier models only indicated 130 mph) and a better-designed toll ticket slot in the driver's sun visor. Both sun visors also received extensions so the sun could be blocked out better when coming in from the side. The base Santa Fe was discontinued that time, making way for the TucsonHyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson , or ix35 in Europe, or Hyundai JM in Japan, is a compact crossover SUV built and marketed by the Hyundai Motor Corporation. In Hyundai's lineup, the Tucson fits below the Santa Fe and Veracruz....
.
In Australia, all models received body-colored (painted) bumpers from 2005 on. The color 'Sandstone' was discontinued in favor of a slightly different color named 'Mocha Frost'. The GL trim was dropped as was the four-cylinder engine and its respective 5-speed manual transmission. The 2.7 L V6 took over duties as the base engine. A passenger airbag cutoff that prevents the airbag from deploying if the seat is unoccupied (or occupied by a small person) was also added. A 3-point seatbelt was added to the center rear seating position, as well. The calendar function, housed in the overhead console was removed and a compass took its place.
2006
The last year of this Santa Fe saw few changes. Two colors were discontinued for 2006, Merlot and Canyon Red. A rare color, Dark Emerald Green, was introduced mid-year. It did not appear in any sales brochures and could have only been ordered by a dealership. The LX trim level was renamed 'Limited' and got a corresponding tailgate badge, a first for the Santa Fe of any trim level. Another first was the availability of a monochromatic paint scheme, a departure from the contrasting gray cladding previously standard. The monochromatic option was only available on the Limited in black. In total, these options ran $1900, pushing the Santa Fe's total asking price to nearly $30,000.In Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the new Santa Fe model was launched in April as a 2006 model, offering a new 2.2-litre diesel engine and updated 2.7-litre petrol V6.
Hawtai Santa Fe C9
Part of a joint ventureJoint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
with Hyundai Motors that began in 2002, a Chinese company, Hawtai Motor
Hawtai Motor
Rongcheng HawTai Automobile Co Ltd is a Chinese passenger vehicle maker from Shandong province. A former joint venture partner of Hyundai Motors, Hawtai continues to use technology from this Korean automaker as of 2010....
, manufactured the first-generation Santa Fe. While it did make Hyundai-branded models for sale on the Chinese market, one of the versions it debuted under its own brand name in 2009 was the Santa Fe C9. Utilizing a Rover
MG Rover Group
MG Rover was the last domestically owned mass-production car manufacturer in the British motor industry. The company was formed when BMW sold the car-making and engine manufacturing assets of the original Rover Group to the Phoenix Consortium in 2000....
-acquired engine, it may have been priced at a significant discount to those bearing the Hyundai name.
Hyundai ended its partnership with Hawtai in 2010.
2007
The next-generation 2007 Santa Fe debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto ShowNorth American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
. The first production Santa Fe rolled off Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
assembly line on April 18, 2006. It shares this assembly line with the current generation Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
. The new generation sheds the old style's quirky design in favor of a more contemporary look.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the new generation is offered in GLS, SE, and Limited versions. The new Santa Fe sees the return of a manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
, but only when mated with the 2656 cc V6. The 3342 cc V6 (a retuned version of the same engine found in the Sonata) is standard on the SE and Limited and comes only with a 5-speed automatic. Both 2WD and AWD models with a 3.3 L have a fuel economy of 19 miles per US gallon city and 24 miles per US gallon highway. The 2.2l diesel engine(not available in the US) with 186 hp has mixed cycle of 7.2l and a city cycle of 8.0l. The 4WD is a Borg-Warner Torque Management device, which diverts power to the wheels with best grip according to the amount of slip. If the front wheels spin slightly, 10% of the torque will transfer to the rear axle. If the front wheels start to slip a lot, 50% of the torque will transfer to the rear axle. Body lean in turns, a problem with the previous generation, has been reduced in the new Santa Fe. Both road and wind noise have also been reduced.
Newly standard on the latest iteration of the Santa Fe are all the safety features the previous model lacked or charged as extra. Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
(ESC), side-curtain airbags for all seating rows, a tire pressure monitor, active front head restraints, and anti-lock brakes are all standard. A heated windshield wiper grid located in the front wipers' 'park' position helps to thaw ice buildup on the blades in colder climates. Some features like the tailgate flip glass and the lower body cladding were not integrated into the new model.
The interior has been upgraded as well with blue-lit dashboard controls (unlike the green color used in other Hyundai models), a gated shifter pattern, illuminated cup holders, and higher quality leather on Limited models. The rear seat head restraints caused visibility problems in the previous model due to their size. The new style features 'shingled' head rests that when lowered completely, sit flush with the top of the seat, helping to maximize rear visibility. The middle rear seating position now comes with its own head restraint and a three-point seat belt built in. LATCH child seat anchors are also standard, and an optional 50/50 third row seat allows Santa Fe to seat seven passengers.
Pricing remained competitive despite the upward move in size and feature content.
In Malaysia, Hyundai Santa Fe is available as a Complete knock down model rebadged as Inokom
Inokom
Inokom Corp Bhd is a Malaysian assembler of Hyundai vehicles. The passenger vehicles are marketed by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors, which is co-owned by Hyundai Motor Company and Sime Darby....
Santa Fe. The Inokom Santa Fe is only available in CRDi 2.2-liter
Litér
- External links :*...
I4 Diesel and 2.7-liter
Litér
- External links :*...
V6.
2008
For 2008, only minor changes were applied to the Santa Fe. A navigation system made by LGLG
LG may refer to:*LG Corp., a South Korean electronics and petrochemicals conglomerate*LG Electronics, an affiliate of the South Korean LG Group which produces electronic products* Lawrence Graham, a London headquartered firm of business lawyers...
was offered and the Infinity
Infinity
Infinity is a concept in many fields, most predominantly mathematics and physics, that refers to a quantity without bound or end. People have developed various ideas throughout history about the nature of infinity...
sound system and the power glass sunroof were made standard on Limited models. The non-metallic white paint trim was dropped, leaving the pearl white as the only white color available on the Santa Fe.
2009
2009 saw only minor changes for the Santa Fe. The 16" wheels on the base GLS model (USA specification) were dropped and replaced with black steel wheels and plastic covers. Additionally, the GLS received black plastic mirrors opposed to the body-colored mirrors of the higher-tier SE and Limited models. This cut in equipment was rumored to be a countermeasure to offset the price increase of offering an iPodIPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
plug-in for the stereo system. Because of the black mirrors and wheel covers, the additional cost of the iPod adapter was negated, leaving the base price of the vehicle unchanged.
2010
A mid-cycle refresh designed in Germany for the Santa Fe was implemented for the 2010 model year. The grille now includes a horizontal and vertical gridded grille as opposed to the two bar horizontal grille on the previous models, and are now body-color instead of black. New rear taillights include all-red taillights with extensive chrome outlay, and new 5-split spoke alloy wheels replace the previous 5 and 6-spoke ones. All Santa Fes now include standard BluetoothBluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
hands-free phone connectivity and steering wheel audio controls, new darker wood trim, and a metallic steering wheel inlay. Gauges receive a new font and backlight design. A new touch-screen navigation system with rear back-up camera is now available. Finally, for the US market, the optional third row seat was discontinued leaving the larger Veracruz
Hyundai Veracruz
The Hyundai Veracruz is a crossover SUV produced by Hyundai from 2006. The Veracruz is sold in the United States, Canada, South Korea, China, Dominican Republic, Brazil, and the Middle East.- History :...
to be the only currently sold Hyundai in the United States to seat more than five persons.
Powertrain changes include a standard six-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
and optional six-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
that is shared with the Kia Sorento
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is a mid-size crossover SUV produced since 2002 by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors.- First generation :...
. Both generate a higher power as well as obtain higher fuel economy than the previous model. Sales began in early January 2010.
2011
Only minor changes were applied to the Santa Fe for 2011. The 605-watt InfinityInfinity
Infinity is a concept in many fields, most predominantly mathematics and physics, that refers to a quantity without bound or end. People have developed various ideas throughout history about the nature of infinity...
sound system became standard on Limited trim whereas it had only been previously bundled with the optional navigation system. Five new colors were added, as well, including Moonstone Silver, Frost White Pearl, Sonoran Red, Mineral Gray, and Espresso Brown.
On September 1, 2010, North American production of the Santa Fe shifted to Kia
Kia Motors
Kia Motors , headquartered in Seoul, is South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer, following the Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 1.4 million vehicles in 2010...
's new West Point, Georgia assembly plant for the 2011 model year. This was done to free up production capacity at the Alabama plant
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama is an automobile factory in Montgomery, Alabama. It is owned and operated by Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Construction completed in June, 2004, with the first vehicles produced in March of 2005. The official grand opening ceremony on May 20, 2005, was...
for the new Sonata
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
and new Elantra
Hyundai Elantra
Launched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
.
2012
With an all-new redesign due for the 2013 model year, the Santa Fe only received minor changes for 2012 to hold it over until the new model arrives. The all-body colored grille (in North American markets) was straightened and received chrome accents while the textured strip below the headlights was changed from amber to clear. The interior received a new shift knob and downhill brake assist was added.Safety award
The Second-generation Santa Fe earned "Top Safety Pick" award by the Insurance Institute for Highway SafetyInsurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a U.S. non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, established in 1959 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It works to reduce the number of motor vehicle crashes, and the rate of injuries and amount of property damage in the crashes that...
. It also received maximum 5 star safety ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
(NHTSA). The Hyundai Santa Fe earned maximum five star safety rating from Australasian New Car Assessment Program
Australasian New Car Assessment Program
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program is an automobile organisation operated by the governments and motoring organisations of Australia and New Zealand to give consumers coherent results on the protection given by vehicles in front and side impact collisions...
(ANCAP).
The Second-generation Hyundai Santa Fe topped the “20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure” list by Insure.com.
Alternative propulsion
There is a Hyundai Santa Fe FCEV fuel cell vehicleFuel cell vehicle
A Fuel cell vehicle or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle is a type of hydrogen vehicle which uses a fuel cell to produce electricity, powering its on-board electric motor...
.
Electric versions
There is a Hyundai Sante Fe Blue Hybrid that is powered by gasoline engine coupled to a 30 kW electric motor. The Santa Fe blue Hybrid uses a 270 V lithium polymer battery.Media coverage
Advertising Standards Bureau of Australia banned a Santa Fe TV commercial titled 'Restless' or 'Toddler' in 2007, which ASB argued that it promotes an illegal driving activity: a underaged person (a toddler) driving a car. He also picked up a hitchhiking toddler girl and both were wearing seatbelts instead of approved child restraints which also breached safety recommendations. The ad was produced by Kim Thorp and Howard Greive from Assignment Group NZ and directed by Tony Williams from Sydney Film Company, with post via Frame Set + Match, Sydney. The ad itself won the 2006 Fair Go Ad Awards in Best Ad Award category, and was also nominated in the top five in the Worst Ad category.External links
- Hyundai Santa Fe - Official site for the United States
- 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Price