Filed under: Car Buying, Crossovers/CUVs, Hyundai
Hyundai Santa Fe to get four-cylinder in 2010
In a trend that is sure to prove popular, Hyundai will add a less powerful and more fuel efficient four-cylinder to the available engine lineup on its Santa Fe model when it is redesigned for 2010. As of today, the four-door crossover is available with a choice of either a 2.7-liter or a 3.3-liter six-cylinder powerplant mated to four- or five-speed automatics (a five-speed manual is optional on the smaller engine). Both are rated at 24 mpg highway in the current model. The next-gen Santa Fe will offer a new six-speed automatic with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder that is currently powering the 2009 Hyundai Sonata. Under the hood of the lighter Sonata sedan (and mated to a five-speed automatic), the second-generation Theta engine squeezes out 32 mpg on the highway. While we don't think the Santa Fe will pull a number that impressive, fuel economy in the high-20's shouldn't be out of the question.
[Source: Autoweek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AngeloD 2:10PM (7/07/2008)
Hyundai needs to stop dumpster diving outside of the Subaru design studio for their exterior designs. God what a homely beast.
I don't know what's worse, the homeliness of the Santa Fe or the bland, nondescript nothingness of the Genesis.
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homunculus 2:21PM (7/07/2008)
I agree, it looks a lot like the 2009 Forester.
Except this is a 2007 Sante Fe.
Xcountryflyer 2:21PM (7/07/2008)
Could be worse, could like the new UGLY Hondas and Acuras.
Ultima 2:25PM (7/07/2008)
i don't know where you see a subaru in this car
Pacman 2:27PM (7/07/2008)
Your comment had nothing to do with the posting. Why bother making a comment just to say something negative and unrelated?
It is not a bad looking CUV and if they can get 20/28mpg out of it and price it like Hyundai does I think it will sell very well.
jsjs 2:49PM (7/07/2008)
You're blind (or just stupid) - this looks NOTHING like the Forester (the Forester that existed when it came out; and even the new Forester doesn't look much like it).
As for the Genesis - while it is derivative, it is still a fairly handsome design and better, imo, than the derivative designs of the LS, the S-class, the M45 (which has a few weird quirks) and whatever Acura is offering (heck, it's even better than the bland, kinda fugly Maybach).
The only cars in this class that truly stand out are current 7 series (tho not apparently the new model which is derivative, but more bland than the Genesis)
and the CTS - both of which have their detractors (esp. the 7 series).
The best design of the lot is the A8 - w/ its simple, clean Bauhaus-inspired design (tho some may find it bland).
Anyway, the tinkered w/ 2.4 L 4-banger in the 2009 Sonata has been getting rave reviews - good power (for a 4 banger) and very good mpg.
That, along w/ a 6-speed tranny, should help slow the flow away from crossovers.
ASEVENSEE4 2:52PM (7/07/2008)
It's too bad the Santa Fe sold 92,421 units in 07, people must love homely. It certainly looks better than the extremely bland Tribeca.
They had the 4cyl in the Santa Fe back when it was released but people didn't buy it. Now they'll choose it over the old 2.7L if they still will offer it, because it barely makes more power than the revised 4cyl.
futurama 6:46PM (7/07/2008)
I totally agree with you as well, just like homunculus. It so much looks like 2009 Subaru Forester....
and Yes, this Santa Fe came out about.... 2 years ago???
You are a moron, AngeloD
Noe 2:23PM (7/07/2008)
about time! they would have gained more sales if they did this at the models intro.
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71cuda 2:38PM (7/07/2008)
Of course, there wasn't $4.00 a gallon gas at the intro either.
Noe 8:06PM (7/07/2008)
thats no excuse, because the RAV-4 had 4 banger back then.
Poopy 11:07PM (7/07/2008)
The Tuscon is the direct competition to the Rav4.
The Sante Fe is the direct competition to the Highlander.
The Tuscon can be had with a 4 cylinder dumb@ss, just like the Rav4. The Sante Fe and the Highlander come with V6s.
But you obviously care to compare apples and oranges, so I'll leave you to your pool of stupidity.
cs 12:44AM (7/08/2008)
Kind of harsh w/ insults, Poopy...especially since you didn't mention Hyundai's third crossover, the Veracruz, that compares more closely to the Highlander than the Santa Fe does.
The Tucson and RAV4 are competitors, but not quite directly...the RAV4 is almost a foot longer than a Tucson. The RAV4 and Santa Fe are closer to each other in size than the Tucson and RAV4.
In model/engine/feature structure, I'd say the Santa Fe and RAV4 are much closer together.
Ultima 2:31PM (7/07/2008)
@ angeloD
i just went through your previous posts and couldn't help notice your bashing comments on every kia/hyundai posts. you own gm stock or something?
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Everett 2:40PM (7/07/2008)
The only thing you find offensive about this vehicle is that it's "not offensive". This philosophy has moved Toyota into the top position (presently) in international sales. Should all vehicles be polarizing? This is an enthusiasts' site, so this kind of generalization can be expected, but this type of vehicle (and the RAV4, CR-V, etc.) are for average consumers that don't care about the 'wow' factor.
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Conor 2:43PM (7/07/2008)
Hey look! It's the 2010 Hyundai Highlander-Forester!
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cc 2:43PM (7/07/2008)
I don't mind the Santa Fe... it looks more like a dimestore Porsche Cayenne than anything from Subaru (mostly referring to the side profile, anyway).
I suppose it looks a bit like the new Forester (whose design it predates) but nothing like the old boxy one.
Regardless, it's not a bad little family-hauler... if they added in a 5-speed stick to make up for the lack of power in the 4 cylinder, they'd have a winner. The old Mitsubishi Outlander had a 2.4L 4 banger + manual version that I really wanted; unfortunately they ditched it when they went to the new one.
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Michael D. 2:47PM (7/07/2008)
I don't really see this as a good idea - a vehicle this size and mass is too large for a four-banger, and this would be a lot of labor for a four, especially under a full load and negotiating steep grades.
The four would have to work harder to maintain the same demands which the two available V6s would handle in confidence, and, as a result, I really don't see an advantage and the harder working four I don't see achieving so much greater MPG.
I see marketing calling this shot for the public perception is that the the I-4 is greater economy and higher MPG than a greater cylinder-count. I also see a 4-cyl. Santa-Fe sold to more fleets.
Also, funny thing about the Santa Fe, with 17 or 18 inch wheels, it appears solid and sharp, but with the base and smaller 16 inchers, it appears cheaper and top-heavy. Sometimes wheels can make-or-break a good design. I suppose the I-4 version will be entry-level.
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ASEVENSEE4 2:59PM (7/07/2008)
It won't be that heavy and it might be FWD only. Power output for the 2.7L V6 and 2.0L I4 -
V6
Horsepower 185@6000
Torque 183@4000
Revised I4
Horsepower 175 @ 6000 / 168 (PZEV) @ 6000
Torque 168 @ 4000 / 163 (PZEV) @ 4000
If it comes with a 5-Speed automatic it wouldn't have to work as hard as the 2.7L V6 (only available with the 4-Speed automatic)
jonathan charak 3:01PM (7/07/2008)
its not for off roading. Its meant as a family hauler. The majority of people with SUVs just use them as big cars. Now it just won't chug at 4.00+ a gallon