2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

First unveiled for the 2001 model year, the Santa Fe was Hyundai's first sport-utility vehicle. By the time it was redesigned and enlarged for 2007, such car-based SUVs were being called "crossovers." Meanwhile, a smaller Tucson had debuted in 2005. Reaching a step further, early in 2007, the South Korean automaker unleashed the larger Veracruz, for a total of three SUVs in the U.S. market.

Styling

As part of the 2007 reworking, Hyundai gave Santa Fe buyers the option of seven-passenger capacity, with an available third-row seat. A growing number of midsize and even compact SUVs may be equipped with three-row seating, as automakers deduce that customers crave greater than five-passenger capacity in their vehicles. Primary competitors include the Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, and Toyota Highlander.


Manufactured in Alabama, alongside Hyundai's Sonata sedan, the midsize Santa Fe comes in GLS, SE, and Limited trim levels. New standard features for the 2008 Limited include a 605-watt 10-speaker Infinity Logic 7 audio, and a power sunroof. A new LG navigation system becomes optional early in 2008.


In base GLS trim, the Santa Fe contains a 2.7-liter V-6 engine that produces 185 horsepower and 183 pound-feet of torque. SE and Limited editions get a bigger (3.3-liter) V-6 that generates 242 horsepower and 226 pound-feet. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard with the smaller engine. A four-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual gear selection capability is optional. Only a five-speed automatic is available with the 3.3-liter V-6.

Instrument Panel

Each Santa Fe model comes with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The available AWD system automatically routes power to the wheels with the most traction. A driver-selectable AWD Lock provides a fixed 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, for conditions where that configuration might be beneficial.