2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

Welcome to the Driving Range with Dave Jordan - Your Auto Guide to the South Shore of Nova Scotia. All you need to know about Nova Scotia's South Shore Auto scene.

This week, Dave Jordan checks out the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe:

Even with the price of gas reaching unheard-of levels and the decline in mid and full-size SUV sales felt by most manufacturers, there still appears to be a desire by many consumers to purchase these larger, heavier, yet quite versatile vehicles. Some companies have been in the game for a long, long time, while others, such as Hyundai, are relatively new players in the SUV wars. The first-generation Santa Fe was a pretty good seller with its value for the dollar and good-quality construction approach drawing masses of frugal shoppers into Hyundai showrooms. Like any model that's been around for a while, the Santa Fe was due for a refresh. Hyundai took this task seriously by embarking on a full redesign from start to finish, producing a second-generation SUV that has little in common with its forbearer yet carries on the brand's philosophy of good value for the dollar. Thanks to O'Regan's Hyundai for the use of this newly minted Santa Fe GL Premium.

Nine trim levels with two all-aluminum V6 engine choices are available for this new SUV. You can purchase a base model for just under $26,000 equipped with a 2.7-litre, 185-HP engine that can be had with either a four-speed automatic or, yes, a manual transmission — unusual in this segment but a shrewd move on Hyundai's part. Five-passenger seating and FWD are part of the base package and you also receive aluminum wheels, four-wheel-discs, keyless entry with alarm, heated outside mirrors, your power group, A/C, cruise control, a decent six-speaker sound system and more. On the safety checklist, front, side and side-curtain airbags, ABS with Brake Force Distribution, stability control and traction control are all standard features. The larger 3.3-litre unit will give you 242 horses to play with and seven variations in trim levels to choose from. This is the engine my GL had under the hood, mated with the upgraded, smooth-shifting, five-speed auto-box with Shiftronic. Other upgrades on my Santa Fe included larger wheels, fog lights, heated front seats with power operation for the driver, telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, AWD, seven-passenger seating and a few other additional features. You can, of course, request the top-line GLS loaded with leather and even more creature comforts for around $36,000.

The exterior styling of the Santa Fe couldn't be more different than the outgoing model's design that sported bulbous fenders, multiple intersecting lines and exaggerated shapes all around. Even though the appearance is more conventional, this new SUV is much more pleasing to my eyes, with subtle transitions between major body components and distinct features such as the very sleek front-end treatment. No more humps and bumps for this mid-size SUV, just clean, smooth, well-integrated features. A very handsome piece!

Although it may not be immediately noticeable, the chassis dimensions and physical size have increased somewhat with the wheelbase gaining an additional three inches and the track widened by about the same amount. These increased dimensions are noticeable inside with more room for all occupants, especially second row-passengers, and the ability to now add optional third-row seating as did my tester. These additional seats are easy to raise or lower, while making your way back is accomplished by folding forward the passenger-side seat – the 40 per cent portion of the 60/40 second row. Visitors to these benches should be humans of small stature or adults who have short distances to travel. Cargo space is drastically reduced as well when these seats are in use. Otherwise the rear storage area is quite cavernous.

The interior designers had their way with this new Hyundai as well; making improvements in ergonomics, material quality and features. The dash is more user-friendly now with the replacement of the previous Santa Fe's chunky and busy centre pod with a more traditional and simplified centrepiece, accomplishing a more integrated dash layout. All controls work with a new-found precision and are logically placed for ease of use and functionality. And the new, cool blue-back lighting is sharp and easy on the eyes. Some neat touches such as the rear cupholders integrated into the fold-down centre arm rest and reclining back seat cushions show some forethought went into the interior design. The two-tone colour scheme and subtle metallic touches add an air of sophistication and style to the Santa Fe cabin, providing a pleasurable place to go about your driving duties.

Like many SUVs the new Santa Fe is more about utility than sportiness. Having said that, the steering feel is crisp, acceleration is smooth and responsive, and overall handling isn't bad for a vehicle of this nature. This rig runs along the highway with a smooth, quiet composure and handles itself well when performing regular tasks, portraying an air of subdued refinement. "Car-like" describes the feeling under most day-to-day activities with smooth transitions between gear shifts and nary a sound from the engine bay. Don't expect to be racing up the river road, however, since the Santa Fe is a relatively heavy vehicle and its weight shows through when cornering forces are applied. After all, this isn't a sports car. If you do somehow get out of control due to slick driving surfaces or simple over-exuberance, then the various electronic nannies are there to bring you back on the straight and narrow.

Hyundai made a bold move by drastically changing the exterior look of the Santa Fe, so time will tell whether the public continues their trek to showrooms for this new SUV. If this doesn't work for them, then the value-for-dollar quotient and one of the best warranties in the business should still make an appealing argument for trading in their current model.

Dave's Auto Archive – in 2001, a year after its launch, the Santa Fe earned a top rating in Auto Pacific's vehicle satisfaction index.