2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 24l Suv Reviews
In that location'due south no better looking crossover SUV on the market than Hyundai's Santa Atomic number 26 Sport. With its hit three-slat chromed grille,
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| Photograph: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Machine Press |
stylish multi-angled combination headlamps, edgy integrated fog lights, cool aluminum-wait front and rear protector-plate bumper inserts, rugged lower torso cladding, gracefully upswept greenhouse, sporty rooftop spoiler and gorgeous taillights, it ready a styling benchmark when this latest 3rd-generation model debuted in the summer of 2012 equally a 2013 model.
Now, 3 years into its current lifecycle the Santa Iron notwithstanding looks fresh and cutting-edge. This no dubiousness aids sales that take seen regular growth since the new model was introduced, 2014'southward 27,580 unit tally besting all simply one previous years' total and making the crossover SUV one of the all-time-selling models in its class.
Figuring
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
out exactly which segment the Santa Fe Sport fits into is another question. Hyundai's Tucson fills the compact category nicely while the extended-wheelbase Santa Iron 40 goes up against the seven-rider mid-size lot, which leaves the five-occupant Santa Fe Sport a chip shorter than most mid-size models likewise as some so-called compacts, Chevy's Equinox being one, yet wider than every compact competitor, making it look and feel like a mid-size SUV, especially when inside.
That's where the Santa Fe Sport's added breadth allows for more shoulder and elbowroom than the rest of the compact lot, and being shorter and slightly narrower than almost mid-size models makes it piece of cake to slot through decorated traffic and
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Printing |
especially convenient to park. Its popularity proves Hyundai found only the right proportions to go forth with its good looks, but of course there'south more to the Santa Atomic number 26 story than that.
Expect around its cabin and y'all'll get a skillful thought of why and then many people experience right at dwelling. Plenty of soft-touch synthetic surfaces provide premium-level audio deadening and a nice feel, the Santa Iron's dash-facing to the left of the steering column and alee of the front passenger getting the pliable plastic handling, as practise both sides of the center stack right downwardly to the lower console, non to mention the front and rear door uppers plus the panels merely below, while all 4 armrests are not merely comfortably padded but finished in a elegantly stitched leather-like fabric
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| Photograph: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Automobile Press |
for a truly upscale look and feel. Hard plastics are used throughout the interior too, and while not as finger friendly they're nicely textured and ideally matched to the softer stuff for an overall expect that'due south impressively refined.
Hyundai pushes the styling of its Santa Fe Sport cabin further upmarket past as well including a tasteful helping of satin-finish aluminum-look interior accents, embellishing the steering wheel, master gauges, vent surrounds, heart stack trim and rich looking door panels, and likewise the glossy woodgrain used for the dash trim appears equally authentic as this grade gets.
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Motorcar Press |
The entire interior is sophisticated and state-of-the-fine art, other than my tester's obvious lack of a modern-day infotainment system.
Hyundai's main rival Toyota actually turned the auto sector upside downwardly by including standard loftier-resolution full-colour display audio systems with fill-in cameras in many its latest models, a tendency that is starting to bear witness up with others across the motorcar sector. Therefore the simpler LCD screens Hyundai continues to use for lower trim levels at present look tired and dated, with only top-tier Santa Atomic number 26 trims appearing technologically advanced from an acoustic perspective.
My tester was far from superlative of the line as it was kitted out in ii.0T Premium AWD trim, which means that it slots in right around the center of the Santa Fe Sport line.
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Printing |
Every bit an overview the Santa Iron Sport'due south bevy of trim levels are as follows: 2.4L FWD, 2.4 Premium FWD, 2.4 Premium AWD, 2.4 Luxury AWD, 2.0T Premium AWD, 2.0T SE AWD, 2.0T Express AWD, and top-line ii.0T Limited with Saddle Leather, with prices ranging from $26,899 to $39,849, plus $ane,795 for freight and pre-commitment inspection no matter the version called.
When fitted with its various elevation-level interiors the Santa Iron borders on premium in look and feel, whereas my mid-grade ii.0T Premium AWD examination model was plenty nice for its very outgoing $33,199 cost point. This particular trim level qualified for a $two,018 no-haggle discount at the time of writing, while discounts of other trims range
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Car Press |
from $i,313 to $2,466 (the former discount plainly intended to cause superstitious folks to upgrade from base).
The seat fabric on my loaner featured an attractive mesh patterned black insert cloth with solid black bolsters, and the driver's seat was extremely comfortable. This Yes Essentials stain-resistant fabric is the same as used on the base model other than colour (base trim gets grey upholstery), and the 3-mode heatable forepart seats are carryover from base of operations besides. Additional standard items that find their way upward to 2.0T Premium AWD trim include air conditioning, tilt and telescopic steering, steering wheel-mounted Bluetooth, cruise and audio controls, the latter connecting through to a six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 brandish audio arrangement
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Printing |
with satellite radio, aux and USB jacks plus iPod/iPhone integration, while the standard menu items continue with a second row that reclines and folds flat via an especially flexible 40/twenty/40 split up that opens upwards to 2,025 litres (71.5 cubic feet) of available cargo space when all three seatbacks are lowered or more than 1,000 litres (35.4 cubic feet) when upright, while those rear passengers also benefit from privacy glass. Exterior features include LED-enhanced projector beam headlamps, fog lamps, a windshield de-icer, powered and heated side mirrors, chromed door handles, roof rack side runway, a rear spoiler, 17-inch twinned v-spoke blend wheels on 265/35 all-season tires, and a pre-wiring harness for trailering; its stock tow rating is 907 kilos (2,000 lbs).
Standard
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
rubber features include traction and stability command improved on by Vehicle Stability Direction (VSM), as well every bit ABS-enhanced four-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake aid, plus all the expected airbags including one for the commuter's knees.
Moving up through the line, my test model also received items from the second-rung 2.four Premium models, including a heatable leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-wrapped gearshift knob, a 12-style powered seat with four-mode powered
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| Photograph: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Printing |
lumbar, dual-zone automatic climate control with a clean air ionizer, automated headlights, rear outboard seat heaters, 2d-row window sunshades, and rear parking sensors.
Features specific to my two.0T Premium AWD model include proximity-sensing keyless access with pushbutton ignition, a full-color high-resolution electroluminescent Supervision primary judge cluster with a TFT LCD multi-data display at centre, and twin-tipped chrome exhaust outlets.
Of form I'grand leaving out 1 of the all-time reasons to opt for 2.0T Premium AWD trim, its more powerful 2.0-litre twin-whorl turbocharged directly-injection engine; this model being the least expensive way to move up from the base ii.4-litre iv. In that location's zilch wrong with the 2.iv, mind you lot. It features direct-injection and dual continuous
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
variable valve timing but similar the smaller deportation turbocharged unit of measurement, and its five-bike EnerGuide fuel economic system rating is slightly better at 12.five L/100km in the urban center, 9.3 on the highway and xi.1 combined compared to 12.9 city, 9.8 highway and xi.5 combined (incidentally the base two.four with FWD is good for a claimed 11.7 city, 8.vii highway and ten.3 combined), but in that location's no disputing which engine is more fun to drive.
The base two.four is inappreciably embarrassing as it pulls away from standstill, the 190 horsepower mill having 181 lb-ft of torque to make sure takeoff is smooth and steady if not particularly sporty, but the turbocharged ii.0T's 265 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of twist is downright heady while ramping upwards speed, the little iv feeling more like the large six offered in the larger Twoscore model, while sipping away at regular unleaded like the base iv as noted.
Part
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Automobile Press |
of the fuel economy equation comes downward to the Hyundai'south selection of transmissions, all Santa Fe Sports coming with a smooth shifting six-speed automatic that includes Shiftronic transmission mode for quick, immediate gear changes when trying to get the about out of either engine on the pike or winding backcountry road, or for that thing while casually driving through city traffic.
In Canada a snowstorm tin can hit anywhere near anytime, which makes the addition of all-wheel bulldoze a lifesaver in certain situations and a confidence inspirer the rest of the time. The Santa Iron Sport's optional AWD is a sophisticated design that incorporates Active Cornering Control, a technology that adjusts inside wheel speed during a plough to improve stability no matter the road surface conditions.
And
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
yes, with or without all-wheel drive the Santa Fe Sport is nimble through the corners, feeling more like an agile compact than a mid-size CUV. No doubtfulness its wider stance helps in handling, its fully independent suspension always equanimous and controllable, even at high speeds over crude patches of pavement. Braking is stiff too, the Santa Fe Sport's sizable discs scrubbing speed off quickly when required, and always shine and controllable. Information technology'southward a comfortable highway cruiser as well, where information technology will glide along all day long in premium-like silence, its taut build quality and ample audio deadening measures helping it to feel more luxury-like than many of its peers. Around town its tall ride height benefits outward visibility while a shorter turning circumvolve than mid-size rivals allows for great maneuverability in crowded traffic, narrow lanes and abbreviated parking spots. It's certainly an like shooting fish in a barrel SUV to drive, and fifty-fifty easier 1 to live with.
Rear
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
seat roominess is good, the front seatbacks cut out for extra legroom and fitted with nice leather-like pockets for an upscale expect plus a place to store reading materials or what take you. The flip-downward centre armrest is beautifully finished and incorporates pullout cupholders for drive-through convenience.
I've already mentioned the aplenty size of the cargo hold and flexibility of the rear seatbacks' forty/20/40 split configuration, just thought I should point out a set up of stowage bins under the cargo floor, the forepart one separated into compartments for hiding smaller items abroad from prying eyes and the rear one used for the jack and tire changing kit plus actress storage. The folding cargo floor above is solidly constructed in the same impressive mode as the rest of the SUV.
I'm sure
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| Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
you'll experience much the aforementioned as I exercise about the Santa Fe Sport after spending some time with it. It'southward as quality-built as it's practiced looking, while boasting i of the more advanced powertrains in its class with strong performance and first-class fuel economic system, loads of standard and optional features, five-star NHTSA and the best "Practiced" IIHS crash test ratings, plus an enviable reliability tape. The Santa Fe Sport is style and substance wrapped up in a value-added bundle, an impressive contender that'due south worthy of its popularity. Without doubt you should consider it.
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Source: https://www.thecarmagazine.com/2015/05/03/2015-hyundai-santa-fe-sport-2-0t-premium-awd-road-test-review/