Picture Gallery: 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS
Day 1:
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Powered by a very smooth V6 engine, the new Santa Fe is rated at 242 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque. Not quite as powerful as the RAV4’s V6 but enough power to get the Santa Fe moving along quite nicely. My tester is the GLS model with AWD and equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic.
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As far as luxury features go, the Hyundai delivers as well. Equipped with leather seats including heat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power sunroof, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control and steering wheel-mounted audio controls, the Santa Fe also has power everything, including 6 way power adjustable drivers seat with power lumbar.
Certainly the Santa Fe is no 911 but at nearly five times less expensive I don’t expect it to be. First impressions are good; the first thing I noticed as a passenger was the quiet and smooth ride quality and smoothness of the engine, especially at idle.
The first thing I noticed as a driver was the long brake pedal. Just having stepped out of the Porsche could be the reason for my disdain but the longer the dead portion of the brake pedal the longer it takes to stop. Hopefully I will not require any panic stops in my week with the Santa Fe, especially since the vehicle is equipped with the standard Michelin all-season tires and not winter treads.
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (AWD)
MSRP as tested: $34,295
For more information on Hyundai and the Santa Fe visit Hyundai Canada
Day 2:
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But this is 2007 and, well, this isn’t a Tiburon. It is a Hyundai though, and as I drive it, it continues to impress. I had heard it was good from a number of people, and hearing anything about a vehicle tends to influence one’s perspective. I had heard it was good so many times I had fairly high expectations and the Santa Fe has delivered on everyone of them so far.
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The acceleration does not seem as forceful as the RAV4’s 3.5Liter engine but there is plenty of power for a vehicle of this nature. If anything, the Hyundai does a better job of delivering the power as the RAV4 throttle tip in was so abrupt it was difficult to drive smoothly around town.
What the Hyundai does lack is driver feedback and handling feel. I haven’t pushed the Santa Fe extremely hard through the corners but it does not feel as tight and responsive for handling the twisties as the CR-V or RAV4. I feel this could be attributed partially to the seating surface and position of the driver’s seat.
Although comfortable, the seat is rather flat with very little bolstering. It is also wide enough that my body slips around when turning corners. This allows for very easy ingress and egress of the vehicle but reduces, at least for me, the comfort level in terms of safety and stability on the road. I also find the seat rather high and I have adjusted it to its lowest position. Some may enjoy the higher seating feel; I don’t mind the vehicle riding higher, but I tend to enjoy a lower seating position. I did not notice this in other vehicles I tested in this category, so they must not have bothered me as much.
So far, that’s my only real beef with the vehicle, and like I said, others may enjoy the higher ride. We’ll see how the rest of the week goes and see if the Santa Fe can keep me in good spirits.
Day 3:
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The interior of the Santa Fe is well put together, and although there are not many soft touch materials in the interior, the plastic bits feel like they are substantial. None of the pieces make any hollow sounds when knocked on and the gaps look even and well-fitted.
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At night, the interior is blue, including an easy-to-read instrument cluster with a white-blue background. Unlike the Elantra I tested a few months back, the entire Santa Fe dash can be dimmed, although I still find the lighting intensity a little too strong.
I believe this is an effect of the blue lighting; blue lighting really seems to stand out in the dark. Some vehicles let you adjust lighting from completely off to blindingly bright, where as the Santa Fe adjustment goes from mildly bright to retina-searing.
I was out in the country last night and finally I can say I have driven a Hyundai with at least adequate headlamps. I was not pleased with the headlights in the Accent, Elantra’s or my old Tiburon’s headlights, but the Santa Fe delivers an adequate amount of light. There are still some improvements to be made; I suspect it is the design of the reflector assembly, but at least I didn’t feel blind last night out in the backwoods of Kanata.
Day 4:
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That short answer is, “Well, it’s better than the RAV4 and the CR-V.” After spending a week in each one of these three small suvs I have come to the conclusion that this answer always needs defending. Not many can believe the Hyundai can be that good, but it really is and if you are looking to buy you’d better be test driving the Santa Fe.
Gas mileage for me has equaled that of the rest of the CanadianDriver crew with an average of 13L/100km. For the size of vehicle and engine, this is more than acceptable — Hyundai has come a long way in engine design as well as their styling and fit and finish.
I am going to go out on a limb here and say that the Hyundai Santa Fe is the vehicle that has surprised me the most this year. And of course, when I say “this year”, I am referring to the 2007 model year and not the current calendar year; that wouldn’t be nearly as bold of a statement.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (AWD)
MSRP as tested: $34,295
For more information on Hyundai and the Santa Fe visit Hyundai Canada
to our site.
April 06, 2007, 11:31:05 pm The more I see the Santa Fe (and I'm seeing them every day) the more I really like the looks of this vehicle. I parked beside one the other day and the wheel design looked remarkably similar to the Lexus RX. I don't think that was a coincidence.
April 07, 2007, 08:25:24 am
April 07, 2007, 08:27:27 am Sir, Does the $31,880. includes the transport?
Thanks again!
April 07, 2007, 09:49:32 am
Yeah, the Veracruz is very interesting. Also, I recently saw pics of the next years full size car offering from Hyundai, it's quite something. I think Hyundai is on the cusp of real greatness.
April 07, 2007, 07:55:44 pm [quote author=Loudpedal link=topic=50868.msg377421#msg377421
Yeah, the Veracruz is very interesting. Also, I recently saw pics of the next years full size car offering from Hyundai, it's quite something. I think Hyundai is on the cusp of real greatness.
[/quote]
Well they got our money on our two current cars.
April 08, 2007, 01:48:04 pm I'd love to see the Veracruz engine in the Santa Fe as the new top of the line model. A little like when Hyundai put the 3.5L in the previous Santa Fe.
I know... It'd be an overkill for most customers... but good competition for the RAV4 V6.
April 08, 2007, 09:28:08 pm
I know... It'd be an overkill for most customers... but good competition for the RAV4 V6.
I was thinking about the same thing over dinner. The conclusion that I arrived at, between the main course and dessert, was that the Veracruz would likely get the 3.3 as a "small" 2nd engine option rather than the Santa Fe getting the 3.8.
The Tuscon comes with 2 engine choices, as does the Santa Fe. Mind you, there is a significant difference in hp between their engine options. Not so much between the 3.3 and 3.8 Perhaps the Veracruz won't have 2 engine choices after all...
April 09, 2007, 07:35:42 am only one engine choice at the moment in the Veracruz
They do have hand out at dealer about what is available new Veracruz
April 09, 2007, 11:10:10 am
Thanks again!
Sorry, no, does not. Average $1,545 extra for that, but varies.
June 11, 2007, 10:32:14 pm The fact that the AWD not always on save on gas. Has i'm reading almost all the comments, i fell like no one have a SantaFe 2007. I wish i can put a picture of mine. I had to it 4 chrome mag wheels made by fast companie and it's look great or better. I have it since the 30 st of march 07 and got 6500 km already. I would say it was a good choice i've made. It's the same model that had been on long term. Now the bad things. It's not a steering problem but a front kind of jello suspension. But you don't have to worry the ESC is taking care of the situation and of course there is a limit that i hope i will experience one day. Secondo, the front seats are stiff, the veracruz has better one. I used mine for working and sometimes my hands are dirty and the interior door panels are kind of beige or sand and on that i would say that the handle (also not hign enough) at least should have been black. The steering is telescopic but it's seems not enough for me. Third not enough torque so when you push the pedal it's kind of lazy but on another hand it saves gas.
The good, the rest of it, i really enjoy to drive everyday, everynight, in my dreams, no.
If someone can tell me if it's possible to put a picture pls let me know.
July 26, 2007, 07:09:34 pm I just bought a 2007 santa fe gls like this one but its black, i see in the pictures that they have the fog lights on, I cannot figure how to turn them on.
July 26, 2007, 07:52:17 pm
Have you read the owner's manual?
July 26, 2007, 09:32:20 pm
Have you read the owner's manual?
No way , fog light usually have a button on the dash
Does not everyone have extra copy of the owner's manual by the john
July 26, 2007, 09:48:29 pm "No way , fog light usually have a button on the dash"
Sorry, but mine is located as I suggested.
July 26, 2007, 09:50:51 pm
Sorry, but mine is located as I suggested.
July 26, 2007, 10:06:41 pm
Sorry, but mine is located as I suggested.
05 Mazda3 and 07 Outlander both have the ring on the stalk. It looks like with the new Millenium things have changed.
I would be surprised if Santa Fe is different.
July 27, 2007, 09:37:37 am All the Hyundais I've driven have a button on the dash, between the steering wheel and the door.
Imagine it's the closest beige one to the wheel with the little light on it http://www.cartalkcanada.com/cgi-bin/schlabo/sp.pl?info=2007%20Hyundai%20Santa%20Fe%20GLS&src=http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc_gallery/images/hyundai/2007_hyundai_santa_fe/07santafegls_26-1112.jpg
EDIT: Yep http://www.canadiandriver.com/ctc_gallery/index.php?level=picture&id=1115
July 27, 2007, 09:40:24 am ...
July 27, 2007, 09:58:04 am How nice of me to even take a picture of that
I just hope our reader only turns them on in FOG!
July 27, 2007, 10:54:21 am
I just hope our reader only turns them on in FOG!
Amen to that!
July 27, 2007, 11:20:04 am
I just hope our reader only turns them on in FOG!
Amen to that!
You mean, like you Wing? Forget fog, it was daytime when you took your shots!!!
Ohh, I knooooooooow, you were testing the features, right?
July 27, 2007, 11:26:35 am Actually turning the lights on add POP to the picture I turn them on for the shots
July 27, 2007, 11:29:56 am That's pretty cool all the buttons are lit-up. I guess it's one more indicator of the thought Hyundai is putting into the little details.
July 27, 2007, 11:32:16 am
I like that a lot. In my 2007 Camry LE, I wished it was the same for power mirror, door lock, window buttons/switches. Same issue with the RAV4.
July 27, 2007, 12:48:32 pm ....FOG_ETTA_BOUTTIT i wanza look KOOL..........