Test drive: 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
Last week I attended the press preview of the all-new 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. What can I say? I love the thing, at least as much as I can love any SUV. Hyundai is paying close attention to what American and Canadian buyers want, and giving it to us in their latest products.
The Santa Fe isn't perfect; the steering is kinda funky and a third-row seat in any SUV this size is simply not a good idea. (To their credit, Hyundai makes the third-row seat optional.) Still, I like the Santa Fe for its good value and high level of standard safety kit, and the fact that it's built in America.
The Santa Fe test drive appears on About.com's new SUVs site, of which our own Jason Fogelson has been chosen as the Guide. Jason will continue to test cars for the Cars site; I will continue to test SUVs for the SUVs site; and the two of us will continue to harrangue each other mercilessly (check out his own 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe blog entry -- already he's becoming the Fred Allen to my Jack Benny). Congrats, Jason! -- Aaron Gold
Aaron, I have to agree with you on almost all the points in the review: The Santa Fe is an impressive SUV. The fact that Hyundai benchmarked the Lexus RX and other products one segment (more expensive) higher pays off in good design, fit and finish, and interior quietness. I believe the wood interior is a faux woodgrain, not real wood, but it looks nice on the dash. Toss in the fact that the Santa Fe was designed and tested in California, and built in Alabama, and you can see why Hyundai continues to be a threat to Toyota’s plan for total world dominance.
“…and my plan would have worked, too, if it wasn’t for you meddling Korean kids!”
someone who doesn’t like SUV’s has no business giving automobile reviews