Going & Stopping
The Santa Fe is offered with a choice of two V-6 engines. The base GLS has a 2.7-liter V-6 while the midlevel SE and top-of-the-line Limited — the trim level I tested — feature a larger 3.3-liter V-6. A five-speed manual transmission is standard in the GLS, but a four-speed automatic is optional. The SE and Limited have a five-speed automatic. Front- and all-wheel-drive models are offered.
With the 3.3-liter V-6, the Santa Fe is swift enough to easily handle most drivers' power needs. It's a rather smooth engine, too. Whether it's accelerating hard when merging onto the highway or just making its way through traffic, the five-speed automatic transmission always seems to be in a sensible gear for conditions. Shifts are smooth, even those that occur under full-throttle acceleration. Both automatics include Hyundai's Shiftronic clutchless-manual mode that gives the driver control over gear changes.
The Santa Fe's all-disc brakes have no trouble stopping the SUV, and pedal feel is nice and natural.
See also:
IMPROVED LOOK HARDLY THRILLING
Visually, the Accent looks quite similar to a Fiesta, so much so that in the
rear view mirror, we often mistook it for its American competitor. Upon closer
inspection, the styling cues themselves ...
MODERN, SOPHISTICATED INTERIOR
Inside the Hyundai Elantra, customers will find Hyundai's expertise in
interior packaging, lighting, leading-edge design and craftsmanship. This
approach is visible in the clarity of the instrumen ...
Truckish performance
Interior noise aside, the Santa Fe performed well on the road.
The ride is feels more truckish than carlike. The bumps are hard, and on the
highway, I never felt confident in this vehicle. The pow ...


