2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
The first generation Hyundai Santa Fe was among one of the first crossovers on the North American market and its weird “fish mouth” style front grille always reminded you that if it wasn’t at least from another country it was quite possibly from another planet. It is amazing that just a few short years later in 2010 we would be treated to a new Santa Fe that is the picture of refinement and styling elegance. No “fish mouth” here.
For 2010 the Hyundai Santa Fe sees a number of changes, the most important of which are two new home-grown engines. With each successive generation of engine designs Hyundai engineers keep improving on the durability, drivability and economy of their motors. The new Santa Fe 4 cylinder and six cylinder engines are no different in this respect.
First off comes an all new 2.4 liter 175 horsepower 4-cylinder that promises to be the bargain hunters choice as it is the standard motor in the least expensive GLS Santa Fe. That doesn’t mean, however that the new 276 horsepower 3.5 liter V-6 is a gas guzzler because it is far from it. The V6 is rated at 19 city/27 highway according to the EPA. That is very good efficiency from a motor that has over 100 horsepower more than its 4-cylinder cousin.
The 3.5 liter V6 is standard on both mid-level SE and top spec Limited trims when they are equipped with AWD. The mid-level SE only offers the 6-cylinder engine regardless of whether you are buying a front or all-wheel drive model while the upscale Limited flies in the face of convention by offering the four and the six on front wheel drive versions.
If anything these engine upgrades were necessary for the seven-seat Santa Fe as sister company Kia just launched its seven seat Sorento with the same motors. While the exterior had to make do with just some subtle bumper and light changes there was nothing wrong with the original design. It is, in fact, one of the best looking SUVs in its class.
The interior has also been refreshed with a newly upgraded navigation system option which brings with it a premium audio system with subwoofer and amplifier along with a power sunroof. Limited buyers are only charged $2,250 for this package while SE buyers get charged $3,200. Let’s see how long it takes Hyundai to realize they are totally undercharging their customers considering many manufacturers charge up to $4,000 just for similar, far less well equipped navigation packages.
There is also a new hue and improved texture for the beige leather in the Santa Fe Limited and the wood trim that accompanies it no longer looks like it came from a tree that was orange. There is additional chrome brightwork here and there and the result is an interior that does not belie the Santa Fe’s low prices.
Fully loaded Limited AWD 3.5 liter V6 2010 Santa Fe models with the navigation package currently retail for a hugely reasonable $30,640 given the performance, quality and features all in evidence. As the Santa Fe is built in an Alabama factory along with the Sonata you can also take heart that you bought a car built with American hands.
Hyundai also likes to keep production at that factory going even during slow sales periods so if you wait a little while rebates will no doubt get bigger the longer the new Santa Fe is on the market. This brings us to the one big problem for the 2010 Santa Fe.
Unfortunately the new Kia Sorento is an all-new design with an even more upscale feel to the interior that offers the same 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty as the Santa Fe. Now how can Hyundai compete with an SUV from Kia which is essentially the same company?
This sounds like a total Marcia Brady/Jan Brady-type sibling rivalry story that will inevitably be played out on the new car sales charts. Who comes out on top is up to you.
