Vehicle Reviews

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover sport utility vehicle that can accommodate five to seven passengers. For the model year 2012, Hyundai Santa Fe gets a moderate styling update. It is offered in three trim levels - base GLS, mid-level SE, and the top grade Limited. It provides state-of-art standard safety equipment and a well-designed interior. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe now comes with a new stylish front grille, two attractive color options such as Venetian Red and Cabo Bronze apart from features like standard Downhill Brake Control (DBC), Standard low rolling resistance tires for GLS trim 17-inch wheels and new premium leather shift knob.

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe has a taut stance and a bold new grille. Its wide track provides great handling and interior room and sleek styling makes the Santa Fe aerodynamic. Standard roof rack side rails help define its clean side profile, while adding SUV functionality. Cross bars are standard on SE and Limited models. New colors for 2012 include Venetian Red and Cabo Bronze. The Santa Fe is one of the most package-efficient crossovers on the market. Hyundai accomplished this through a platform that avoids the compromises inherent in typical mid-size car platform sharing. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe sports a variety of standard interior and exterior amenities such as full power accessories; alloy wheels (17-inch on GLS, 18-inch on SE and Limited); cruise control; keyless entry; and iPod/USB auxiliary inputs. The SE and Limited feature a standard towing preparation package. The 2012 Santa Fe features three outstanding audio systems with standard XM satellite radio and iPod/USB auxiliary inputs. The Santa Fe GLS and SE come standard with a powerful 172-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers. The Sante Fe SE equipped with the optional navigation system features a seven speaker, 360-watt AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system. Standard on the Santa Fe Limited is Infinity's 605-watt Logic 7R surround sound AM/FM/six-disc CD-changer/MP3 audio system with 10 speakers (including subwoofer) and external amplifier. This sound machine complements Hyundai's factory-installed navigation system featuring a high-resolution touch-screen and voice command technology. The available third-row seat splits 50/50 and folds flat to provide more cargo volume. It can accommodate up to seven passengers. This crossover SUV can hold a maximum of 78 cubic feet of cargo.

The Santa Fe comes standard with Hyundai's second-generation Theta four-cylinder engine. The Santa Fe four-cylinder delivers an impressive (estimated) 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway fuel economy rating with front wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. The Theta II is rated at 175 horsepower and 169 lb.-ft. of torque. This high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and a Variable Intake System (VIS) for better engine breathing. The Lambda II 3.5-liter V6 engine pumps out 276 horsepower and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. This refined powerplant features aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. To maximize the power spread, the engine utilizes CVVT on intake and exhaust camshafts and a three-step VIS that helps cylinders breathe efficiently at low and high RPM. The better breathing results in outstanding off-the-line acceleration and passing performance, and remarkable fuel efficiency. Mileage figures (estimated) for V6-powered Santa Fes are 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 combined (FWD/AT).

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe features six standard airbags, including side air curtain airbags. All Santa Fe trim levels come standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Santa Fe also features a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which alerts drivers if one or more tires are under inflated. A new safety feature Downhill Brake Control (DBC) is standard on all trims.