Hyundai Santa Fe

While the Hyundai Santa Fe has actually been around for seven years in 2007 it is seeing several major changes. For example, the new 2007 SUV will be 3.2 inches longer between the wheels, up from 106.3 and will actually stretch from seven inches from tail to nose, coming up from 184.1 inches. In prior years the Santa Fe has fit well in the compact SUV class; however, these changes have it pulling into a larger class right along with the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot. While a few inches here and a few inches there might not sound like much, it definitely amounts to a lot where it counts the most, on the interior. Interior volume is significantly more on the 2007 model than on all prior Santa Fe models, sporting 59 cubic feet in the front and 49 in the backseat. This is up from 54 and 47 cubic feet respectively in prior models. The new Santa Fe also sports 34 cubic feet of cargo space behind the wheels, also an increase from 31 cubic feet in prior models. That’s not all, either. All that new tail end space now makes it possible to accommodate a pair of third row seats that fold flat on the Touring package; great for hauling all your gear.

The base 2007 Santa Fe GLS model sports a 2.7-liter V-6 with 185 horsepower and a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. With the SE and Limited models consumers can take advantage of the all-aluminum 3.3-liter V-6 engine and five speed automatic engine. With the 3.3 you gain up to 242 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. The Limited model comes in at around $26,595.

All Santa Fe models come standard with six airbags and stability control as well as other nice features such as six-speaker stereo with CD player and MP3 capability and keyless entry. The starting price on the GLS model is $21, 595. With a Limited model you can enjoy heated front leather seats and automatic climate control for under $27,000. Optional all-wheel drive is available for $2000.

For the price of an SUV under the $30,000 mark the all new Santa Fe comes with a lot including a room interior, V-6 power and plenty of features to keep anyone happy. To wrap it all up, here’s what you can expect with the all new Santa Fe:

Hyundai Santa Fe
Vehicle type: front-engine, front- or 4-wheel-drive, 5-7-passenger, 5-door wagon
Base price: $21,595-$26,595
Engines: DOHC 24-valve 2.7-liter V-6, 185 hp, 183 lb-ft; DOHC 24-valve 3.3-liter V-6, 242 hp, 226 lb-ft
Transmissions: 4- or 5-speed automatic with manumatic shifting, 5-speed manual
Wheelbase: 106.3 in
Length/width/height: 184.1/74.4/67.9 in
Curb weight: 4040 lb
C/D test results (Santa Fe Limited):
Zero to 60 mph: 8.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 23.7 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 8.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.4 sec @ 87 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 119 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 193 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.75 g
Projected fuel economy (mfr's est):
EPA city driving: 19-21 mpg
EPA highway driving: 24-26 mpg

If you’re in the market for a new SUV but shopping around on a budget the new 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe is definitely worth checking out. It’s priced competitively below many similar models but provides just as much space along with plenty of creature comforts in the upscale models, coming in still under $30,000. For the price tag and the features included, along with the power of the Hyundai Santa Fe, this is definitely not a bad deal worth looking at.