With a re-designed Santa Fe Sport, Hyundai seems to have hit the Cinderella spot, where it's just the right size. While there are seemingly countless entrants in the small to mid-size SUV market, most prove to either be too small to be truly functional (like the Toyota RAV-4), or 3-row models that prove to be to clunky to handle well (like the Highlander).
That's where the 2017 Santa Fe Sport Comes in. While there is a Santa Fe (sans Sport), that is a little longer and offers a third row, the Sport model hits the sweet spot for many mid-size SUV buyers. There is also the benefit of a roughly $5,000 lower sticker price on the Sport model as compared to the non-Sport version, so that doesn't hurt, either.
The Providence Journal, when addressing the safety features in the 2017 Santa Fe Sport, notes that it has "aced every test so far, and our tester had advanced forward collision prevention and many more safety features", and that they have every expectation that it will be named a Top Safety Pick Plus by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which is the organizations highest ranking.
Also noted was their love for the option of turning off the lane departure warning (which for many people is an annoyance, regardless of the vehicle), without an also-annoying dash light reminding the driver that it has been turned off.
The Santa Fe Sport will be offered with either a 2.4-liter or 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, with horsepower rated at 185 and 240, respectively. The 2.4 liter turbo, in particular, has been widely acclaimed as one of the best engines in the industry, and provides plenty of power for the Santa Fe Sport.
Edmunds.com came away impressed with the interior of the Santa Fe Sport, saying that it offers a passenger cabin that's a cut above what you might be expecting from an affordable crossover. Most materials have a quality look and feel, while the switches and controls are generally simple and intuitive to use. We also like Hyundai's straightforward and highly legible touchscreen interface."
Is seems that in virtually all facets, Hyundai has made a near-perfect small-to mid-size SUV in the latest Santa Fe Sport. Affordability, drivability, safety, comfort, and size are all just right. You can view our entire inventory at www.gurleyleephyundai.com.
