Vehicle: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5 V6 Limited
Price as tested: CDN$35799

Performance: While the 2.7 liter V6 has been replaced by a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder as a base engine. Santa Fe’s 3.3 liter has been upgraded to 3.5 liter, as its has always been the engine of choice for such a heavy vehicle. 1868 kg to be exact! This 3.5 liter has Hyundai’s variable valve timing called CVVT, along with double overhead cam and 24-valve. All of these have produced a healthy 276 ponies and 248 lb/ft of torque. All of these have delivered in exceptionally smooth and refined manners. Both the engine refinement, quietness and flexability are on par with anything from the Japanese. Its not only the low-end is willing thanks to 248 lb/ft arrives at 5000rpm, the whole engine feels even peppier in both the mid and upper ranges. All of these have to give credit to Santa Fe’s 6-speed automatic. Both 1st and 2nd are low enough for eager acceleration, with 3rd and 4th set in the middle while leaving 5th and 6th for superb highway cruising. The manumatic mode has encouarged driver to use the rpm more swiftly even without the paddle shifters. That makes the manumatic mode rather redundant. Throttle response is linear without feeling overly sensitive also makes it easy to control for most drivers.

Handling: Despite of Santa Fe’s curb weight and center-of-gravity, its driving experience is a pleasant surprise. The chassis is strong and solid, without any signs of cracks and rattles. Then Hyundai engineers have tuned a well-calibrated suspension that is comfortably compliant, as well as put an excellent AWD system into the mix. The Santa Fe handles relatively well through corners. As its AWD distributes power accordingly. Suspension has done a rermarkable job of absorbing harsh and roughness on the pavement without feeling floaty. It makes Santa Fe a very comfortably riding vehicle with excellent active safety. The steering provides exceptional feel and feedback, along with enough precision. Hyundai’s electronic stability control has done a very good job of eliminating both understeer and oversteer when pushed. It has acted at the right time without feeling too instrusively. As with most SUV, there are safe understeer when pushed. Body rolls are well under controlled in most conditions. Unlike many of its peers, Santa Fe handles confidently and sure-footnessly without feeling floaty. Dynamically speaking, it has to be rated as one of the most capable SUVs I have ever driven.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, Santa Fe stops accordingly. The stopping distance is short while pedal is easily modulated. The pedal feels alive without a sense of spongy when pushed hard. It doesn’t sense any fades even after a couple of hard stops.

Interior: Like many of those 7-seat SUV, the 3rd row is better fold flat if you want to have maximum cargo space. With the 3rd row up, the cargo space is dismal. Open the tailgate, it got a nice low liftover and squared cut-off for ease of loading. Just like the original Santa Fe, there is a large door handle to lift the tailgate. If there is one drawback, its the rear glass doesn’t open independently. Considering how well the detailing of the entire vehicle, its a pity Hyundai designers have left out such an important area.

In terms of 3rd row space, Santa Fe’s leg and headroom are surprisingly good. However, its best to leave for childen or for a short trip though.

On the front, Santa Fe’s attention-to-details would remain anyone of anything cost twice as much. There are world-class use of plastic and leather materials. All those soft-touch plastic would look and feel out of place in a Lexus. All the automatic climate control and stereo are initutive, without even have to get the owner’s manual out to figure how to use them. The instrumentation gauges are clear and analog, while nicely styled.

Conclusion: There are lots to like about the revised Santa Fe. As it combines good looks with performance and space to boot, it also handles relatively well. When you factor in the standard features and the price, its really hard to find a better deal on the market.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4.25/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 4.5/5

Overall rating: 4/5