2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Starting MSRP $24,450–$29,450
By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National August 22, 2012Vehicle Overview
Hyundai redesigned the Santa Fe for 2013, splitting the lineup into two SUVs with separate size and styling: the two-row, four-cylinder Santa Fe Sport and the three-row, V-6 Santa Fe. This report covers the Santa Fe Sport. The Santa Fe is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section.
Boasting available all-wheel drive with a torque vectoring system to enhance handling — similar to all-wheel-drive systems employed by BMW and Acura — the Santa Fe Sport gets a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It slots between the smaller Hyundai Tucson and the larger Santa Fe. Competitors include the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano.
Exterior
The Santa Fe Sport looks similar to the Santa Fe but 8.5 inches shorter. The Sport has a similar hexagonal grille, but the beltline takes a sharper angle upward at the rear-quarter windows. Chrome trim along the grille and door handles is standard, as are body-colored mirrors. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard, while turbocharged models get 19-inch wheels.
Hyundai says it cut 266 pounds from the Santa Fe Sport versus its four-cylinder, front-drive Santa Fe predecessor. The weight loss grows to 300 pounds when you compare the turbo Santa Fe Sport to the V-6 Santa Fe. That's no small feat, and Hyundai says it marks the largest weight loss through a redesign in company history.
Interior
The Santa Fe Sport's interior looks similar to the confines within other Hyundai cars, with plenty of overlapping materials and an angular, sweeping panel that houses climate and audio controls. The standard cloth seats have stain-resistant fabric. Behind the rear seat is 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which beats the Edge (32.2 cubic feet) and Murano (up to 31.8).
Sliding second-row seats and a heated steering wheel are optional; so is a panoramic moonroof. Turbo models get keyless access with push-button start. A CD stereo with USB/iPod compatibility is standard. Hyundai's Blue Link telecommunications system with three months of service is standard (a subscription is required thereafter). The optional navigation system has an 8-inch screen with Hyundai's latest generation of navigation. Hyundai says the system's voice recognition can pick up addresses with streets and cities in the same sentence.
Under the Hood
The Santa Fe Sport's base engine, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, uses direct injection to make an estimated 190 horsepower. A six-speed automatic is standard. Hyundai expects the Santa Fe to get 29 mpg in EPA highway ratings with front-wheel drive, which beats other small SUVs. The turborcharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is estimated to produce 264 hp. Drive-selectable steering can alter power-steering assist to improve feedback on curvy roads or reduce steering effort in city gridlock. Turbo models get upgraded shock absorbers.
An Active Eco button modifies accelerator sensitivity and transmission response to improve real-world gas mileage. With either engine, the Santa Fe Sport can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Safety
Seven airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard.
Additional Reviews
Cars.com Expert Reviews
| Jennifer Geiger | Cars.com National | August 27, 2012 |
| Cars.com Staff | Cars.com National | August 22, 2012 |
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