2010 Hyundai Santa Fe at 2010 Detroit Auto Show
- Competes with: Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4
- Looks like: Hyundai didn’t need an auto show to introduce this
- Drivetrain: 175-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, or 276-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic
- Hits dealerships: Out now
On the inside is a redesigned steering wheel and darker faux-wood trim; the list of standard features also adds Bluetooth connectivity and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, among other items. It’s something a number of competitors offer, but there’s no doubt Hyundai will send three-row shoppers over to the Veracruz.
More noteworthy are the drivetrain changes. Base trims have a six-speed manual but gone are last year’s four- and five-speed automatics, which are replaced now by six-speed automatics across the board. Like the Sorento, the Santa Fe now gets a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which Hyundai claims provides superior acceleration to the outgoing 2.7-liter V-6, or a 3.5-liter V-6. The four-cylinder and V-6 are good for 175 horsepower or 276 hp, respectively. The latter should move the Santa Fe better than last year’s modest-feeling 3.3-liter V-6; we’ve driven the V-6 Sorento and have no complaints.
Gas mileage also sees an increase to 20/28 mpg city/highway on the front-wheel-drive 2.4-liter model with an automatic. In the same layout, mileage falls just slightly — to 20/26 mpg — with the V-6. Those are significant improvements over the 2009 Santa Fe, which was EPA-rated at 18/24 mpg with the 2.7-liter V-6 and an automatic or 17/24 mpg with the 3.3-liter V-6 (both with front-wheel drive). The new figures are a welcome increase, but they fall into Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V territory rather than the front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Equinox’s segment-busting 22/32 mpg.
The Santa Fe is in showrooms now. Sans any options, prices range from $21,695 for a front-wheel-drive GLS with a manual to $30,295 for a V-6 Limited with all-wheel drive. These numbers are similar to the 2009 Santa Fe’s and on par with a number of compact crossovers.
More photos below.
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All those mileage numbers are questionable. Especially for the Equinox. It was tested and never returned 32 mpg.
With better mileage S-Fe will present great value, especially when it is sold $2000 under invoice.
the rear taillights look like they have cheap aftermarket bling inserts.
Not sure where Tony's saying the Equinox was tested. CR got 21 overall with the I4, but with AWD. 14/30 was their city/hwy numbers, so 32 highway with FWD might be easy enough to hit. AWD is the S'Fe's biggest advantage. Ratings don't drop with it, while with the Equinox it drops to 20/29 with AWD, much closer to the S'Fe. And with the V6, even with FWD, the Equinox goes down to 17/25, below the S'Fe's 20/26.
If this competes with the RAV4 and Equinox, what does the Tucson compete with?
Anyone remember how boring and ugly these things were when they first came out? Boy have they improved! Looks so much nicer.
Tucson is a lot smaller. It competes more with the CR-V and Nissan Rogue. RAV4 has a lot of interior volume for the class believe it or not.
Andy makes a good point. The Santa Fe is larger than the Rav 4 and just a tad smaller than the Highlander. When you sit in it it seems to be more of a Highlander competitor, and is especially appealing to people like me who think the Highlander got a bit bloated from the previous generation. Dave is right about the Rav4 being a substantial vehicle - nearly as big as the previous Highlander. But the interior volume seems to be a class down from the Santa Fe, IMHO.
i wish they would have kept the optional third row. i actually sat in the third row of a friend's santa fe for about an hour of city driving. it wasn't spacious, but it was decent. i'm 5'9" /155lbs. it's just nice to have the extra seating when you need it, and folded down it posed no cargo issues.
Zack and andy,
Interior volume is similar to RAV4 which is surprisingly large. This is not in the same realm as Highlander.
The Limited model pictured in white has a real striking interior. Although the RAV4 is the market leader, it's exterior mounted spare tire in the back is really getting old. If I were in the market for an SUV of that size the Santa Fe certainly would be among those at the top of my list.
Dave, Santa Fe's larger than Rav4 on the outside and inside. Santa Fe is Hyundai's mid-size SUV that competes with pilot and highlander. My perception of sitting in the Rav 4 was that it is a compact SUV, the Santa Fe is much roomier. Edmunds.com calls the Santa Fe a mid-size SUV and puts it in the category with Highlander and Pilot. So does US News and World report's Auto comparison guide, and other credible publications. Passenger Interior volume for the first two rows is 113 cu.ft. for Highlander and 109 for Santa Fe - pretty darn close.
Head and Shoulder room for first and second row on Santa Fe match Highlander, Rav 4 comes up three inches narrower for shoulder room and has less leg room too.
This article says the price of the V6 Limited with AWD will be $30,295. From what I've read of the new Tucson, a V4 with AWD and all options including panoramic moonroof...is right around $30,000. For $30K each, I'll take the larger and much more powerful Santa Fe.
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I've like the Santa Fe since they hit the market. However, the headrest is AWFUL on the 2011. Had to seat with my head forward and chin almost on my chest. For comfort I removed the headrest. Decided to replace it for 'safety' reasons.