Hyundai has given its mid-priced Santa Fe Sport crossover a significant update for 2017 that includes a raft of new design cues and interior features.
On the outside, there are redesigned fascias front and rear and new wheel designs, and LED daytime running lights on certain trims. Inside, a drive mode selector is standard as is a five-inch colour display audio system, backup camera and a redesigned centre stack.
And that only covers what comes standard in the base model: other newly available items include a height-adjustable front passenger seat, multi-view camera system, radar cruise control with stop/start function, lane departure warning, electric parking brake, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams and steerable headlights.
Those new safety items give the Santa Fe the kit it needs to compete with the latest and greatest in the mid-size crossover segment like the Honda Pilot, GMC Acadia and even the Sorento sold by that "other" Korean brand, Kia. What didn't need much updating was the Santa Fe's impressive drive characteristics and overall quality, which have impressed since this crossover was last redesigned as a 2013 model. The Santa Fe Sport is strictly a seven-seater; if you want three rows of seating in a Hyundai, there's the Santa Fe XL (simply called Santa Fe in the U.S.), which is covered in a separate buyer's guide entry.
As such, the Santa Fe's drivetrain choices are carried over from 2016: The base engine is a 2.4L four-cylinder that makes 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, while a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder boosts those figures to 240 hp and 260 lb-ft. The 2.4L can be had with front- or all-wheel drive, but all 2.0L models get standard AWD. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the line.
Fuel consumption estimates are 11.7/8.7 L/100 km (city/highway) for a 2.4L model with FWD, and 12.5/9.3 with AWD. 2.0L AWD models are rated at 12.9/9.7.
Standard kit includes a six-speaker stereo, backup camera, Bluetooth, air conditioning, heated front seats, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, automatic headlights and cloth upholstery.
2.4 Premium trim adds blind spot detection with lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, 12-way power driver's seat, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats.
2.4 SE gets manual rear-window sun shades, panoramic sunroof and leather seating.
The 2.4 Luxury model adds a four-way power front passenger seat, intelligent keyless entry with push-button ignition, auto-dimming rearview mirror, hands-free power liftgate and sliding second-row seats.
2.0T SE trim blends features from the 2.4 SE and Luxury models, like intelligent keyless entry with push-button ignition and sunroof but adds an upgraded gauge cluster and19-inch wheels.
2.0T Limited models get navigation, HID headlights and LED taillights.
Finally, 2.0T Ultimate trim gets lane departure warning, multi-view camera system, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, electric parking brake, automatic high beams and adaptive headlights.
Prices range from $28,599 to $44,599.
