2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

For 2003, the Santa Fe was further upgraded with standard driver and front passenger side impact airbags, new Monsoon audio systems for the GLS and LX models and a standard HomeLink system (programmable for garage door and gate openers) for the top-of-the-line LX. "Many of the changes that our customers suggested are now included in the Santa Fe," says Finbarr O'Neill, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America.

Good fit and color matches give an impression of quality.

Now, for mid-2003, comes a lively new 3.5-liter V-6 engine coupled to a 5-speed "Shiftronic" automatic transmission and an available state-of-the-art electronic 4WD. This DOHC 24-valve 3.5-liter iron-block Sigma engine, rated at 195 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 219 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 RPM, is also used in Hyundai's XG350 luxury sedan. Optionally available on GLS, it replaces the 2.7-liter V6 on LX and comes with ABS and traction control in addition to the electronically controlled 5-speed automatic, which offers manual "tap" shifting and a "fuzzy logic" controller - meaning it adapts to driver preferences and changing conditions, including elevation changes.


The Borg-Warner advanced electronic 4WD system available with the 3.5-liter V-6 uses InterActive Torque Management to optimize traction and fuel economy by managing the proportion of power sent to the front and rear axles. Its Electronic Control Unit (ECU) monitors vehicle speed, engine RPM, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, throttle position, steering angle and more. When it senses that the front wheels are slipping, it transfers power (through multiple wet clutches) to the rear wheels. When the front wheels are no longer slipping, power to the rear is reduced or eliminated. The system is transparent to the driver, with no buttons to push or levers to move.


Santa Fe is available in three models: base, GLS and LX. All offer standard air conditioning, power door locks, 16-inch wheels and tires, four-wheel disc brakes and privacy glass. The base model's audio system has a CD player and 6 speakers, while GLS and LX feature 218-watt Monsoon systems with premium speakers. LX standard equipment also includes ABS with traction control, leather seating surfaces with heated front seats, automatic temperature control, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink.


The Santa Fe is built on an "extensively revised" Sonata midsize car platform with the intent of providing, Hyundai says, the "highly desirable combination of car-like ride, handling, NVH, steering and braking along with traditional SUV seating height, utility and styling." We tested a front-drive GLS, which rode and handled pretty much like a tall fwd car...which, of course, it is. Attempts to power through corners were foiled by understeer and power-cutting traction control, which can be switched off when unwanted.