Consumer Reports New Cars – November 2019

24 NEW CARS CR.ORG/CARS

On the Road SUVs under $40,000

THE SANTA FE is a “tweener”

whose size and price have

it straddling the small SUV

and midsized two-row SUV

segments. Its fresh styling

and practical tech make it a

good choice for families.

Our Santa Fe Limited

came with the optional

turbocharged four-cylinder

engine. It has plenty of

power, but its delivery is

not always predictable

and the vehicle tends to

hesitate when accelerating

from a rolling start. This

effect is exaggerated by the

sometimes jerky shifts

from the eight-speed auto-

matic transmission and is

most common during drives

around town.

Handling is responsive,

and the Santa Fe feels taut

and agile—something we don’t

often say about SUVs. Its

body roll is limited when

the SUV is pushed through

turns, and the steering

response is quite prompt,

which should give drivers

confidence. The ride is firm,

particularly with the

optional low-profile tires.

Large doors and a hip-

height seat make getting in

and out easy. The interior

design is modern and clean,

and uniquely stylish materials

set the Santa Fe apart from

the dozens of other SUVs

on the market. The front seats

are wide and comfortable,

and the backseat provides

particularly generous space

for adults, although the

panoramic moonroof shaves

off some headroom.

The controls are super-

simple to interpret and use.

We like that the intuitive

infotainment system has

volume and tuning knobs,

and that the touch screen is

quick to respond.

All Santa Fes are equipped

with an impressive roster

of active safety features,

including FCW, AEB, BSW,

LKA, and rear cross traffic

warning. In addition, optional

safety systems can alert

drivers if a passenger or pet

has been left in the rear seat,

and warn of approaching

vehicles and bicycles when

a door is about to open.

BEST VERSION TO GET

Skip the turbo. We

have extensively

driven a 2.4-liter

non-turbo Santa

Fe rented from

Hyundai. It’s less

expensive and has

more refinement

than the turbo has,

and the 50-hp

difference is not

significant in the

real world. And at

23 mpg overall, its

EPA fuel economy

rating is 2 mpg

more.

VITAL STATS

OVERALL

SCORE

ROAD-TEST

SCORE

Price as tested

$37,200

Trim line Limited

Drivetrain

235-hp, 2.0-liter

4-cyl. turbo engine;

8-speed automatic

transmission; AWD

Overall fuel

economy 21 mpg

Reasons to Buy

Easy access and

roomy seats

Stylish and

practical interior

Innovative

advanced safety

features

Simple controls

Reasons to Skip

Fuel economy

Optional turbo

engine has uneven

power delivery

Firm ride

MIDSIZED SUV

Hyundai

Santa Fe

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