Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Perhaps using its imposing makeover for 2013 to scare off competitors, the Toyota RAV4 continued its reign of terror atop our list of most-read reviews of the week. The compact crossover's nearest opponent, the 2013 Ford Fusion, generated a little more than a third of RAV4's reader interest. Maybe newcomers to the list, including the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid (No. 6) and the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid (No. 10), will gain enough confidence in coming weeks to face down the RAV4.

Until then, check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2013 Ford Fusion
3. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
4. 2013 Ford Explorer
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2013 Nissan Altima
9. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
10. 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Up Close

The Santa Fe Sport looks as if Hyundai took all of its recent introductions and created one collage of a midsize SUV. And wouldn't ya know, it works. Front styling features the tall, angular grille of the 2013 Genesis coupe while the rest of the SUV's exterior should look familiar to Tucson owners.

More 2012 New York Auto Show Coverage

The inside shows off a very predictable Hyundai interior. Again, that's not bad because Hyundai's newest interiors are stylish. Materials quality of the show car feels a touch more upscale than the Hyundai Sonata sedan, especially the upper dashboard materials. Also, its climate control dials have a solid feel that some of Hyundai’s other interiors lack.

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

Little has changed visually for the Santa Fe, a crossover tucked in Hyundai’s lineup between the pint-sized Tucson and the three-row Veracruz. Chief among the 2010 Santa Fe’s appearance differences are reshaped bumpers — recalling the 2011 Sorento’s from its sister brand, Kia — plus the requisite wheel and grille updates. The headlights remain the same, which is a bit odd since a number of other Hyundai models have adopted more Genesis-like designs. The taillights, however, get a new look. The company has also discontinued the optional third row for 2010.

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.

Hyundai's Four Future Models

During a webcast today, Hyundai CEO John Krafcik announced that the automaker would roll out redesigned versions of the Elantra compact sedan, Accent subcompact and Santa Fe midsize crossover by 2011. He also said the company would release an all-new small, sporty coupe based on the Veloster concept shown above.

The Veloster concept is 161 inches long, which is more than a foot shorter than the Honda Civic coupe but 16 inches longer than a Mini Cooper hatchback.

Krafcik alluded to a new 2.0-liter high-efficiency engine to be used in future products, but he wouldn’t elaborate on which vehicles it would be included in. 

Hyundai Offers Cash Back, Financial Advice

It’s a tough economy. Things are scary out there, and it makes us not want to go outside too often. Don’t want to get caught in a “run” on the “bank,” whatever those things are.

Fortunately, Hyundai’s here to help, and not just by telling us where to spend our money. Of course it wants you to buy a 2008 Sonata, and is offering $3,000 cash back as encouragement to do so, but it’s also offering snippets of financial advice in its ads — the best ways to save that leftover incentive cash. Now that’s marketing. Beware, though: The ’08 Sonata differs from the updated 2009 version, which debuted at the Chicago Auto Show this year and features some significant upgrades. Make sure to check out a comparison of the two models here, and read our coverage of the 2009 here. The 2009 is currently being offered with $1,000 cash back.

If the Sonata doesn’t tickle Hyundai buyers’ interest, the manufacturer is also giving $2,000 back on the Santa Fe and Azera, and between $1,000 and $1,500 on the rest of its inventory including $1,000 off the 2008 Veracruz crossover. All deals expire April 30.

All Manufacturer Incentives (Cars.com)
More Hyundai Sonata News (KickingTires)

Honda Still on Top in U.S., Says Consumer Reports

For the second year in a row, Consumer Reports has named Honda the automaker selling the best vehicles in the U.S., based on factors ranging from reliability to vehicle comfort.

Toyota and Subaru ranked second and third, followed by BMW, Mazda, Nissan and Volkswagen. No domestic nameplate appeared on the list.

When an Auto Writer Buys a Car: Part III

After my wife delivered the crushing reality that a black Mazda CX-7 would not be our next car, it was back to full car-shopping mode. Like most people, we’re a busy couple and don’t have time to talk to dealers on the phone or go to a dealership on a weekday. We had to plan our shopping trips for the weekend, and in Illinois that means Saturday, since there are laws that don’t allow dealers to operate on Sunday.

Using online quotes and test-drive appointments was extremely helpful. I’m not just saying that because Cars.com offers the service — as do most automakers — it really does change the way you schedule your shopping and is extremely efficient.

With the Mazda CX-7 now out of the running, I knew we had to test drive the Honda CR-V. My wife owned a CR-V about seven years ago, and I reviewed the new 2007 model myself for Cars.com. It actually garnered a pretty glowing review, plus it’s safe and will have excellent resale value.

Hyundai Santa Fe Earns Top Safety Award

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe its Top Safety Pick designation after the SUV scored top scores in frontal, side and rear crash tests. Only 21 new vehicles are on the Top Safety Pick list. The Santa Fe’s competition on the list includes the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Subaru Tribeca, Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX and Honda Pilot.

Related
More Safety News (KickingTires)

Cars.com Reviews 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

We’re not sure why it took so long, but we finally got our thoughts to virtual paper on the redesigned 2007 Santa Fe. Another latecomer is the 2007 Dodge Magnum, which gets a thorough examination now before a mild refresh for the 2008 model year.

We’ve also reformatted the Expert Reviews page so you can sort reviews by your favorite Cars.com reviewer.

Related
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Expert Review (Cars.com)
2007 Dodge Magnum Expert Review (Cars.com)
Suburban Dad: 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe (KickingTires)
The Urban DINK: Car Shopping List Update 2 (KickingTires)

Suburban Dad: 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

I have something of a history with the Hyundai Santa Fe. You might even call it a crush.

When I was looking for a new car back in 2002, among the cars I looked at was the Santa Fe. It was a brand-new model then, full of promise and good looks. It was appealing for its size, the cargo it could hold and its truck-like look and feel. In the end, my fears about buying a Hyundai, given their previous quality track record, held me back. My sister-in-law bought one (you can see it above), so I've been able to ride in it from time to time. It was like a long-distance romance.

Fast-forward to last fall, when I drove the Santa Fe for a few minutes and had mixed feelings about it. It looked great, had grown from its original size and was really comfortable. Unfortunately, it was also dragging. Although it had a V-6, I felt like we weren't getting anywhere.

Now, though, I've driven the Limited version of the Santa Fe, and my fears and concerns have melted away thanks to the Limited’s bigger V-6. It still has the same great looks, the creature comforts and a huge cargo area.

It may be love.