Model Mix
From the base GLS to the top Limited trim, the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe offers people a variety of features, style, and comfort at a competitive price.
Shopping for a mid-size SUV is like fishing for trout at a hatchery. You’re almost guaranteed to find the right vehicle to meet your needs. If fuel economy is your thing, there are quite a few mid-size SUVs with mpg ratings in the 20s – or better. Same goes with power, price, or just about any other criteria. In fact, one of the fastest growing segments in the mid-size SUV/crossover game is vehicles that offer third-row seating. Once the domain of larger utility vehicles and minivans, automakers have figured out a way to shoehorn an additional row into smaller vehicles. The result is a growing list of smaller SUVs that offer third-row seating – though the dimensions of the vehicles mandate that it’s a small third-row, indeed. Enter the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. Bigger than the outgoing model, the Santa Fe is a well-rounded and capable vehicle that offers a third row of seats, improved fuel economy and power, and a host of standard features and options. With the GLS, SE and Limited trims, just about anyone can find a Santa Fe with an appropriate package of power and content. There are, however, competing SUVs that offer slightly more power, slightly better fuel economy, or slightly more room, and some that offer other benefits in critical areas for a slightly lower price. Overall, however, the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe competes well against all comers. With the redesigned Santa Fe, Hyundai is officially leaving behind its old low-priced value image, and emerging as a competitive automaker, on price, content, and, of course, value. To that end, all Santa Fe models come equipped with safety features such as six airbags, active front head restraints, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) as well as the government-mandated Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). All Santa Fe models are available with the third-row seat; just order the Touring Package, which adds $1,200 to the price of the vehicle – about $200 more than the third-row option on the Toyota RAV4. Later this year, the Santa Fe will also add standard XM satellite radio and optional Bluetooth hands-free telematics, and an optional navigation system will be available sometime in 2007. For starters, the front-wheel-drive base GLS model starts at $21,595 including $650 shipping, and comes equipped with a 185-horsepower 2.7-liter V6 engine, a five-speed manual transmission, 16-inch wheels, a 112-watt audio system with six speakers and an MP3 player, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, heated power side mirrors, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, and a roof rack. Key options for the GLS includes a four-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission ($1,200), and a Premium Package ($1,600 – includes a power sunroof and heated front seats). Shoppers content with GLS trim can expect to pay up to $26,000 for a fully optioned AWD model, making the Hyundai Santa Fe about $2,000 more expensive than the base 2006 Toyota RAV4, which is also available with Toyota’s Hill Start/Descent technology. The RAV4 also offers 17-inch wheels as an option, but comes up 20 horsepower short compared to the Santa Fe. Moving up to the Santa Fe SE ($24,295 without AWD and $26,295 with AWD) adds a more robust 242-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 mated to a five-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission. Other upgrades include 18-inch wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, fog lights, and secondary audio controls on the steering wheel. The SE’s optional Premium Package ($950) adds a power driver’s seat with power lumbar, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and more. Santa Fe SE shoppers can also add what Hyundai calls the Ultimate Package – for an ultimate price of $3,550 – which includes Premium Package features plus a rear-seat entertainment system, a 252-watt stereo system with seven speakers and CD-changer/MP3 player functions, as well as a 115-volt power outlet. With all-wheel-drive, a third-row seat and all the trimmings, the Santa Fe SE will tip the scales at a little more than $28,000, slightly more than some of its competitors such as the more powerful 269-horsepower Toyota RAV4 Sport V6 or the larger 242-horsepower Honda Pilot LX. At the top of the trim ladder sits the Santa Fe Limited ($25,945 without AWD and $28,595 with AWD), which adds leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, and dual-zone automatic temperature control with an outside temperature display. Chrome accents on the grille and exterior door handles, as well as a body color rear spoiler, set the Limited model apart from the SE and GLS. Limited shoppers can bump up to the Ultimate Package, which is the same as the one offered on the SE but with a more powerful 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 Surround Sound system with 10 speakers and CD-changer/MP3 capability. At its most expensive, the Santa Fe Limited AWD rings the register at more than $32,000, including shipping. So much for Hyundai being the low-priced value automaker: the Santa Fe Limited stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of the top Honda Pilot EX, with leather seats and DVD entertainment, though it does cost around $3,000 less than the most expensive – but larger and off-road ready – Nissan Pathfinder.
|
