The Santa Fe was Hyundai's first utility vehicle; today it stands the middle ground between the smaller Tucson and a soon-to-come larger SUV. All new for 2007, the Santa Fe is exceptionally well thought out with brilliant attention to detail. With low prices ($21,595 to $28,595, plus options), decent economy (EPA est. 19-21 mpg city, 24-26 highway) and long warranty (5 year/60,000 mi bumper-to-bumper, 10 year/100k powertrain), the Santa Fe is bound to be a hit with American and Canadian buyers.

First Glance

Historically, the Santa Fe has always been a special vehicle for Hyundai. It was first introduced in 2001, well before the Sonata became a serious Camry/Accord competitor. At the time, Hyundai was best known for cheap wheels like the Accent and Elantra. But Santa Fe buyers were different: They were older and more affluent than typical Hyundai customers. They weren't buying the Santa Fe just because it was inexpensive; they were buying it because they thought it was a good, competitive vehicle.

Since then, Hyundai has come up with a stream of good competitive vehicles, and the all-new Santa Fe is just the latest in the series. Though the Santa Fe is a crossover and uses car-based construction, and in fact is built on the same assembly line as the Sonata sedan, it isn't actually based on a car; it gets a unique platform.

I liked the bumpy, bubbly shape of the original Santa Fe. The new one is a bit more anonymous but still handsome. From some angles it reminds me of a baby Audi Q7. A few original Santa Fe cues remain, such as the off-center tailgate handle. The new 'Fe is bigger in all dimensions than the old one, though its taller roofline makes it look shorter in length.

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In the Driver's Seat

Inside you'll find one of the best CUV interiors on the market. A two-tone interior with color-coded wood and aluminum trim is standard; a black monochrome interior is optional on the top-of-the-line Limited. Instruments and controls are lit in a cool blue color.

The front driver's seat is the most comfortable place; the passenger seat felt a bit too close to the floor for my liking. Access to the second row is good, though the seat cushion is short and lacks thigh support, a common sin in CUVs this size. All three positions have headrests and shoulder belts, but only the outers get LATCH child seat anchors.

A flip and fold seat makes access to the optional 3rd row dead easy. The seat itself is unpleasant but no worse than its rivals. It folds down when not in use; the five-seat 'Fe get a nice big storage bin in its place.

Standard equipment in the base GLS model includes power windows/mirrors/locks, keyless entry, A/C, CD/MP3 player, alloy wheels, antlilock brakes, electronic stability control, and side curtain airbags. SE adds a bigger engine, bigger wheels, automatic headlights, and other toys; the Limited gets leather seats (heated in front, power adjustment for the driver), dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.

On the Road

All Santa Fes get V6 engines: A 185 hp 2.7 liter for the GLS and 242 hp 3.3 for the SE and Limited. The 2.7 comes with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto while the 3.3 gets a 5-speed automatic. All powertrain combos can be had with front- or all-wheel-drive. The latter is an electronic system that varies up to 50% of power to the rear wheels as needed. It isn't meant for off-roading, but it can be "locked" into 50/50 4WD mode for slippery situations. Acceleration is more than adequate, with the front-drive 3.3 being the quickest.

What's really remarkable is the Santa Fe's ride. It's exceptionally solid and well-controlled. You don't have to pussyfoot the Santa Fe though corners for fear of losing control or tipping over (and even if you do get in over your head, the standard electronic stability control will step in to help). It'd feel even better but for the steering, which doesn't give much natural feedback from the road. Despite the somewhat artificial steering feel, the Santa Fe does tend to track in a straight line and is not at all fatiguing to drive on the freeway. Its small turning circle is nice, but with its tall sides and a fall-away hood, I found maneuvering through tight parking garages a bit of a stomach-churner.

Journey's End

There are lots of reasons to like the Santa Fe. Its the attention to detail that makes me love it. Examples: The roof rack crossbars can be adjusted with one finger. The hatch lid is balanced to stay open firmly and close easily. The front cupholders are lit, making it easy to plant your Pepsi. The A/C in the GLS and SE uses an innovative variation on the classic three-dial setup, and the Limited's climate control can automatically switch between fresh and recirculated air based on outside air quality. 2nd-row passengers get their own face-level air vents and the optional 3rd-row seat includes its own vents and fan control. Everywhere you look, you see what a well-thought-out vehicle the Hyundai Santa Fe is.

To me, the Santa Fe is more budget- and passenger-friendly than Toyota's RAV4, though not as comfy in back as the Highlander. Spirited drivers may prefer the Mazda CX-7, but new SUV buyers will find comfort in the Santa Fe's stability. The lack of a center LATCH point means I can't whole-heartedly recommend it for 1-baby families, but it'd work great for my own family of four.

Bottom line: If you're shopping for a CUV, make sure to test drive the 2007 Santa Fe. The Japanese do it well, but the Koreans do it even better.