Comfort and function

The interior is comfortable, and it comes with a slew of features. Hyundai's use of blue backlighting on everything from the instrument panel to the cup holders makes the cabin extremely appealing.

There's also plenty of room inside, which is why so many crossovers are so popular. You can carry five people very comfortably as well as all of their stuff in the easy-to-load cargo area.

There are also all the luxury features so many people want, such as navigation, backup camera and Bluetooth connectivity. For this model year, Hyundai also added an optional 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 Surround Sound stereo system; it's excellent.

This vehicle, however, needs a good stereo because it's incredibly noisy on the road. Road and wind noise fill the cabin. One unscientific test I use on a vehicle is to count how many times I adjust the volume on my commute to work. A perfect score would be zero adjustments, simply playing the stereo from the last time I drove it. The Santa Fe scored an 8.

    See also:

    Don't Neglect the Interior
    Moisture can collect under the floor mats and carpeting to cause corrosion. Check under the mats periodically to be sure the carpeting is dry. Use particular care if you carry fertilizers, cleanin ...

    ABS Service Reminder Indicator (SRI) (If Installed)
    When the key is turned to the "ON" position, the Anti-Lock Brake System SRI will come on and then go off in a few seconds. If the ABS SRI remains on, comes on while driving, or does no ...

    Tire chains
    Tire chains, if necessary, should be installed on the front wheels. Be sure that the chains are installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. To minimize tire and chain wear, do ...