2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Crossover Utility Vehicle that's not shaped like a refrigerator box.

Folding side mirrors, sunroof, sports side rails, bodycolor rear spoiler and no visible exhaust pipe are just a few of the design features that set the Santa Fe apart in this crowded CUV segment.

The only thing missing: an enormous price tag.

One-touch power tilt and slide sunroof with sliding sunscreen, dual automatic temperature control, navigation and an audio system decked out with XM® Radio, iPod®/USB and auxiliary jacks. Plenty of luxury, at a price that makes sense.

Features that'll help you avoid accidents as well as live through them.

ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, six standard airbags and active front head restraints just in case. If only everyone on the road were driving a car this safe.

SE and Limited

For the SE there are 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, sporty roof crossrails, bodycolor mirrors and center-mounted LED brake lights that not only look good, but illuminate faster than conventional bulbs. The Limited adds heated leather seating surfaces, a one touch sunroof and an Infinity® premium audio system.

A Tailgate for Tailgating

The tailgate handle is large and intuitively placed on the right. The rear bumper itself features a textured covering to guard against paint damage when loading and unloading heavy objects like a bar-b-que grill, chairs or ridiculously large tubs of potato salad.

Design and Engineering

The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai vehicle to roll out of our new design center in California. The model makers, technicians, and designers at our $30 million facility gave the Santa Fe clean, timeless lines that are aerodynamic but not anonymous, and space-efficient but not boxy.

Stylish and Safe

The radio and temperature controls are placed high on the dashboard for easy visibility, while buttons and knobs are generously sized and clearly marked. The gear shifter and steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls are conveniently located so you can operate them by touch alone. Even the cupholders are illuminated in a soft blue glow at night to highlight their location. Each feature is designed to be visually appealing, but not visually distracting.

ESC and TCS

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System (TCS) work in tandem to prevent skids, maintain traction and keep the vehicle under control even in difficult steering conditions. In fact, ESC has led to a reduction in fatal accidents, and has been so effective the government has mandated ESC be standard on all vehicles by 2012. Hyundai, however, holds itself to a more rigorous benchmark. ESC has been standard on every Santa Fe for years.

Airbags All Around

Six standard airbags protect front-seat passengers from front and side impacts, while side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors extend to help protect all passengers. An intelligent Occupant Classification System detects the size of the front-seat passengers and adjusts inflation accordingly. In fact, the OCS is so smart that if no passenger is detected, the passenger-side airbag won't inflate, reducing repair costs.

Navigation System

The Santa Fe navigation system has a large, high resolution 6.5-inch touchscreen that's simple, intuitive and features a rearview camera for tight parking spaces. XM NavTraffic® lets you search from over five million points of interest, get real-time traffic updates, and search the address book for most recently visited locations, marked points and favorites.

Dual Automatic Temperature Control

Temperature autonomy makes for happier passengers. The Santa Fe Limited has dual automatic temperature controls with a CleanAir Ionizer and eight fan speeds so you can dial in the perfect temp. And unlike most competitors, the Santa Fe also features B-pillar-mounted adjustable vents that direct the air throughout the cabin rather than just at the center passenger's legs.

Cargo Space

Though the Santa Fe has more passenger volume than the RAV4 and CX-7, it's not always how much cargo space you have, but what you do with it. Inside you'll find plenty of cubbies for storing smaller items, there's additional storage under the cargo floor, and even 115-volt power outlets that'll power standard household appliances like laptops and radios.

Unibody Structure

The Santa Fe's top-level crash test ratings and surefooted handling are largely the result of its rugged unibody construction. Over 7,000 welds, strategically placed crumple zones, side-impact door beams and high-strength steel create an insulating structure to help protect you in case of any collision.

Details, Details

Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, steering wheel audio controls and a one-touch power tilt & slide sunroof with sliding sunshade. Santa Fe designers even added small conveniences like a sunglass holder the in overhead console and trip computer meant to make your experience as comfortable and clutter-free as possible.

Limiting Whiplash

Even the best drivers can do little to avoid rear-end collisions. Hyundai has included active front head restraints that move forward and up during a rear impact, helping to limit the extent of potential whiplash. The restraint mechanism uses body weight alone to react in a collision, making it simple, yet extremely reliable.

Step on the gas, without wasting it.

V6 horsepower, specific independent front and rear suspension for sure handling in the corners and a smoother ride. A beefed up chassis helps manage higher loads and forces the Santa Fe might face when venturing off-pavement or while towing a trailer.

Brake Assist

In emergency braking situations, many drivers may not apply sufficient braking force to achieve the shortest possible stopping distance. Brake Assist helps detect emergency braking and ensures the maximum braking force is immediately applied to minimize stopping distances.

Anti-lock Braking System

Emergency braking can cause a vehicle's wheels to lock up and skid, resulting in a loss of steering control exactly when you need it most. ABS helps prevent the possibility of wheel lockup under hard braking, and rapidly pulses the brakes to help you retain steering control as you come to a stop.

Audio System

The powerful audio system comes with standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls, integrated Bluetooth® hands-free phone system and iPod®/USB and auxiliary input. The Limited adds the Infinity® LOGIC7 Premium audio system with 10 speakers and an external amp that cranks out 350 watts of high-fidelity.

Engine

Choose from the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder or 3.5-liter V6 engine. Vibration-reducing measures ensure either engine remains remarkably refined at high speeds or when accelerating briskly. And both feature a Variable Intake System and Continuously Variable Valve Timing on the intake camshafts. Translation: more response and efficiency over a broader range of engine speeds.

Transmission

Most Santa Fe models come with a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. Performance minded drivers will appreciate the option to switch gears manually when driving on inclines, winding roads, or when preparing to pass. Another rarity: The six-speed manual transmission is standard on the GLS.

All Wheel Drive

TWhen it came time to design the on-demand all-wheel drive system in the Santa Fe, we turned to the experts at BorgWarner.® Their recommendation: the BorgWarner ITM 3e,^™ an electromagnetic clutch-type system that sends 95% of the power to the front wheels—until they encounter a low-traction situation, when up to 50% of the power can be apportioned rearward. The advantage: higher efficiency than systems that are always on. The fully automatic system also features a rare AWD lock button that allows you to send and hold half of the available power to the rear wheels.

CUV Suspension

You sit higher in the Santa Fe than a normal car. This requires a specialized, fully independent suspension system for cornering and handling. The firmly damped, long travel suspension tackles both challenges while the reinforced suspension and generously sized wheels and tires—18 inches on SE and Limited models—have alignment settings that enthusiasts will recognize as being well suited for safe and confident cornering capability.

Electronic Brake-force Distribution

EBD balances braking forces at each wheel when the car is dynamically loaded. This helps the driver maintain confident control in difficult braking situations.

Power Tilt-and-Slide Sunroof

Get your daily dose of fresh air and Vitamin D with the one-touch power tilt-and-slide sunroof with sliding sunshade.