By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
5-speed manual 2.7-liter 185-hp V6 2WD 21 | 26
4-speed automatic 2.7-liter 185-hp V6 2WD 20 | 25
5-speed manual 2.7-liter 185-hp V6 4WD 20 | 25
4-speed automatic 2.7-liter 185-hp V6 4WD 19 | 25
5-speed automatic 3.3-liter 242-hp V6 2WD 19 | 24
5-speed automatic 3.3-liter 242-hp V6 4WD 19 | 24
Pricing will be announced soon.
Mike
It had the cloth seats and no trip computer from what I observed. I am sure there are other things that Toyota skipped @ $29,000+.
There was a torque steer and it wasn't properly aligned. However, the RAV4 was fast.
I also test drove 2007 Camry XLE. It also was at $29,000. But it didn't have heated front seats. Trip computer was limited. I read many car reviews and they are telling their readers that the Cmary feels luxurious. I frankly don't know what they are talking about. I didn't see any luxurious feeling inside the Camry. The car did have very smooth ride. I am told by these testers that Sonata isn't as smooth...
In the center console, all they have are the Climate Control, radio, and maybe NAV. And, if you don't have the NAV, well, the control in the expensive car is very simliar to cheapo Kia Rio. I just didn't get the feeling that Camry was any better or luxurious than Sonata 2006. Camry's center console had big buttons to void emptiness. I know Sonata's console looks bit empty but really, that's all that most car has. Hyundai could have put bigger LCD stuff in the console to make it look better. That's really about it.
Overall, I liked the RAV4 but not for $29,000. It was not as equiped as price suggests..
Didn't mean to get off topic but I had to pipe in about that.
http://www.channel4.com/4car/road-tests/H/hyundai/santafe06-/index.html
Also on the UK Hyundai site there are spec details in regards to mileage, speed, acceleration etc. The only problem is that you can barely read what is on the pdf file.
jerr
I've been following this forum for the past couple months and I am looking forward to the Santa Fe's release this summer. I have my eye on the Rav4 or the Sante Fe for my next vehicle purchase.
I wanted to post my thoughts on the UK review and wondered if anyone else had any thoughts from the review (Mike_Belknap??). Although it was a decent review, there were some items that caught my attention:
- Under the Introduction, they mention satellite navigation being an option. Will nav now be available on U.S. models?
- Under the Comfort and Equipment section, they mention, "There's considerable wind noise at speed, though, probably from around the roof rails and their crossbar." A bit disappointing but I could live with it.
- My biggest concern was this statement under Safety and Security: "Also, the Santa Fe has not gone through the Euro NCAP crash tests as yet, and Hyundai's own internal tests indicate only a four-star score - mediocre, these days." This was really disappointing to me. I really want a top safety rated (even though 4 stars isn't bad)vehicle to haul my family around in and I was hoping the new Sante Fe would rank in the top for safety.
I'm excited to see the new SF this summer but this review took my excitement down a notch.
they even hate lexus too.
for impact from rear? if the front seats have whiplash
protection built into the headrest(for me), what kind of protection does my kids have in the third row?
I honestly don't put any stock in the crashworthiness statement, however. Hyundai has claimed "5-star safety" for the new Santa Fe, so I'm not sure where the journalists got their information from. Also, the European crash results often don't line-up with US results because of vehicle design differences in the models that are shipped to each country (we have certain requirements here that do not apply in most other places). The only way to know how the US-built Santa Fe will perform is to wait for some official word (preferrably from the IIHS).
Satellite navigation: it will be available on the new Santa Fe for about $2000 as a dealer-installed option, but will likely not be offered at launch.
As for wind-noise, I doubt that it will be any more of a problem than with any other roof rack-equipped vehicle. My '02 has the crossrails -- it's no biggie.
Anyway, I'm expecting to find it a very competitive ute when it arrives in the next month or so -- especially the SE trim.
Mike
there is a 5 star indicator on the bottom of this page (internal tests too)
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7735/scan00161va.jpg
edit: btw, i am looking for the user manual (handbook) of this vehicle, if anyone can help...(i will own one in about 2 weeks
I am waiting eagerly for this vehicle to arrive at the dealer.
Does the Santa Fe use regular or premium petrol?
Thanks.
The Santa Fe 2.7 and 3.3 both use regular petrol, though premium slightly increases fuel economy, horsepower, and torque. You'll have to decide whether or not the extra cost is worth the relatively minor performance enhancements that the higher octane fuel provides. It definitely isn't from a economical standpoint.
Mike
-Newbie..
The first saleable Santa Fes rolled-off the assembly line on the 18th of last month -- it'll take them about two months to build-up a decent selection of colors and trims for each dealership, so I'd expect late June to July. The main add campaign is set to launch on July 1st.
Mike
The SF is a very good car. This is not a Hyundai that we are used to. Not by far. This car feels and rides like much more expensive vehicles. Everything in it says, "I aspire to fight BMW, Audi or Mercedes". Everything except couple of things.
A cabin of the car is comfortable and extremely quiet. Wind noise is there but you hear this because noting else can be heard. Steering is very firm and responsive. Suspension is a bit stiff but it rather supports a feeling that the car is solid and durable. All is fine except for an engine. 2.7l even though 24V with variable valve timing cannot impress. It is quiet event at high RSPMs but it does not move the car with pep. Automatic transmission does not help either. Pushing gas pedal hard does not mean that it will downshift to move the car forward. My test drive was too short to decide if this was an engine or transmission that affected overall performance but something was not working as one could expect.
Just after this test drive I went to Toyota and I took RAV4 with 2.4L engine for a spin. Responsiveness of that powerplant was felt immediately even though with much more noise comparing to Santa Fe. Handling was different - Santa Fe drove like big SUV while Rav4 more like a car. Finishing of Santa Fe was much much superior over Toyota’s. No comparison at all but this is what Toyotas are known for: a simple and ascetic interior but endless reliability. Guess my choice? I downpayed for Toyota but I am still not sure if my decision was right. Tough one. I wish I had driven Hyundai for a few miles more. I am sure you will battle the same.
Mike
However it is safe to say that, on a dealer trade-in, you would be lucky to get $18-19K for your Tucson leaving you upside down. My advice to you is to either try and sell the Tucson privately (you may be able to get closer to $20K), or hold onto it for a few years. Remember also that your 10/100K warranty is not transferable if you sell the car privately.
May I ask why you feel the need to sell the Tucson so quickly after purchasing it? You are going to be upside down on your Tucson, and if you buy a Santa Fe within the first couple months you will most likely overpay. For example look at the current generation Sonata. When it was first released, folks were paying hundreds over invoice, or even MSRP for the vehicle, and now you can easily pick up a brand new one for $3K+ under invoice. I say wait..
Your point about pricing is well taken and I would only consider purchasing the Santa Fe if I were to get 10% off of MSRP. I paid cash for the Tucson, I know I'm gonna take a hit on this trade but I hope its not gonna be more than $8,000 or $9,000. Thanks again.
Honestly, you should hold off as long as possible before buying the 07, I think prices will drop within the first 6 months or so (especially with high gas prices, SUV's are not selling as well).
Since you paid cash and own the title you should DEFINITELY sell it private party. With the extended warranty I'll bet the Tucson will sell quick on Autotrader or Ebay motors and you will make at least 2-3K more. It is actually a pretty easy process..
On a whim, you should also checkout the Entourage... I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how functional those vans are and you should be able to get a loaded one for the same price of the Santa Fe.
Good luck!
I really like the look of the 07 Santa Fe (as well as the new Mazda CX-7). I am sure you will be quite happy with a bigger SUV.
anyone have thoughts about this?...besides the name badge..would you buy the santa fe over the mb in terms of pure specs/comfort/build quality/..etc?...
While this certainly is not the case with ALL manufacturers and models, I think it is wise to see what issues develop and give the manufacturer time to work out the kinks.
The other positive is that prices (specifically true on Hyundai/Kia/Big 3) tend to drop after the first year when manufacturers start offering big incentives.
Obviously some folks cannot wait (lease is up, car is dead, need a bigger car ASAP), but if you can wait, I think there are benefits.
I like the interior better than the Rav4 and the blue radio and instrument lights actually look OK.
The rear seats on the model I saw didnt slide back and forward like the crv and rav4. But the space behind the rear seats appeared a lil bit more roomy than a rav4.
It was a dark navy metallic blue with a v-6.
All in all for a first look, a nice car.
Personally, I am awaiting the Mesa as this will be the size of vehicle I need for my business. I am very happy with my Honda Pilot(with the exception of the cheap plastic everywhere and rattles) but the Mesa is going to trump the Pilot is luxury and value when it is released
Now, it is by no means a certainty: on the same page as the 185-hp notation, there are definite mistakes concerning the fuel economy information and a couple of typos ("Fnal Drive").
As for delays, you're right: they are very commonplace with Hyundai -- and usually for good reason. On the other hand, the HMMA plant has been producing saleable Santa Fes since April 18th, so unless a relatively major issue pops up, I would expect no further delays; release as early as June for some regions, July for others.
Mike
As for the HMMA plant, not too worry, it is probably the world's most autmoated plant to date, and most building process is done by robots (the best, they don't call in sick). The Sonata is the perfect example, and the Santa Fe should follow suit.
[Source.]
Mike
Yes I do! As of two minutes ago! The first official sale date of the 2007 Santa Fe in the US will be one week from tomorrow: 01 June 2006.
[Source: The Korean Herald. Chuh-ching!*]
Mike
Now, a couple of days ago I did send HMA an e-mail regarding this (we're strongly considering it as a purchase option) -- they have yet to respond.
I'll keep ya'll posted.
Mike