Safety galore

Hyundai also packs the Santa Fe with lots of safety features, such as six air bags, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring and brake assist, which will apply maximum brake force if it detects an emergency.

All in all, the Santa Fe isn't a bad vehicle. But Hyundai has raised the bar on itself, and when you get into this vehicle, there's very little that makes you say, "Wow, I really want one of these."

Hyundai doesn't even feel like the value vehicle in this segment, which is ground the carmaker often holds over the competition. It takes $23,000 to get a base model with an automatic transmission, and the top-of-the-line model cost more than $30,000.

With so much attention being paid to compact crossovers, the expectation has become that every vehicle needs to be the very best in the bunch.

    See also:

    Exterior
    Roughly the same size as Honda’s first-generation CR-V, the Santa Fe is 177.2 inches long overall and close to 66 inches tall. It rides on a 103.1-inch wheelbase. Ford’s Escape has the same wheelb ...

    Seats
    ADJUSTABLE FRONT SEATS WARNING: o Never adjust the driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. Any sudden or unexpected movement of the seat could cause you to lose control of the vehicle resultin ...

    Exhaust Pipe and Muffler
    Visually inspect the exhaust pipes, muffler and hangers for cracks, deterioration, or damage. Start the engine and listen carefully for any exhaust gas leakage. Tighten connections or replace part ...