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In the wake of the rather appealing Tucson Xenith, Hyundai's UK division is bringing another special-edition SUV to market. This time, the Santa Fe gets the Limited treatment. All UK Santa Fe Limiteds get diesel power, which brings combined-cycle fuel economy of over 32 US mpg to the party. The other features that differentiate the limited from the regular Santa Fe are "Limited" badges (obviously), standard running boards, black wheel arch accents, tinted glass, a backup sensor, and a mesh grille that sets off the "Limited" look very nicely. It'll come in four colors, feature leather seats, an MP3 audio system and a few other standard features that cost extra on other Santa Fe models. Hey Hyundai, this isn't a bad-looking ride. Stick that grille and the other exterior enhancements on the US-market Limited already.

Hyundai's press release is pasted after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai UK]

Hyundai has been on a mission to turn their fortunes around with hard work, smart engineering and a dogged determination to improve. The 2007 Santa Fe has just gone from the dubious rating of "poor" to a trifecta of "good" in front, side, and rear collisions by the IIHS. The '07 Santa Fe owes its dramatic and positive swing in the IIHS ratings to standard Stability Control and several improvements to the seats and head rest. The IIHS "good" trophy will look terrific on Hyundai's mantel alongside the Santa Fe's five-star NHTSA rating for front and side impact.

This is more good news for Hyundai that's on a bit of a roll. The Veracruz just beat out the Lexus RX350 in a Motor Trend comparison, RWD luxury vehicles with V8 engines will soon be in the lineup, and quality scores have improved dramatically. If we were Toyota, we'd be sweating the sleeper company from South Korea right about now. Check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: IIHS]

Aw hell, here we go again. Hyundai is pulling its spot called "Restless" after the Advertising Standards Bureau of Australia banned it. The ad, which appeals to people's warm, gooey centers by adultifying toddlers, shows a baby snatching the keys to the Santa Fe and hitting the highway. Along the way, he picks up a girl who happens to be hitching to the beach. He surfs, she watches, world hunger and strife are nearly wiped out in the span of sixty seconds. It's a great spot and was voted the most popular ad in New Zealand last year (what a dubious distinction!)

The ASB argues that the ad shows illegal activity (and there's nothing else on TV that shows illegal stuff?), and may entice youngsters into copycat behavior. Right. Like nobody in the history of the car ever had a kid yank the controls before this ad suggested it? Kids love to pretend like they're adults, so you can be sure that if you plop your toddler in the driver's seat, they're going to have a grand old time. Not that there's much watchable content on television anymore, but these situations go beyond the ridiculous and will just lead to more whitewashed, mamby-pamby crap for us to have to sit through. What's next, banning talking animal spots because no animal really talks? Come on people! There's got to be a more fulfilling pursuit than getting all wadded up over an ad - this is one of the most harmless, charming spots we've seen in a while.

We just don't get it, but apparently there's a large contingent out there who yearns to be protected from themselves. Life is no fun if you don't collect a few bumps and scrapes. Yes, I drove mom's '68 Rambler into the garage and out into the street a couple times as a kid. I couldn't help it - that column shift was just asking for it!

Thanks for the tip, Anton!

Check out the spot after the jump

[Source: duncans.tv]

Some guys get off on rock climbing. Others sky dive, bungee jump, spend exorbitant amounts of money in the stock market and more, just to experience a thrill or two. Danish-born eco adventurer Hans Tholstrup gets his kicks from going green in ways no one has gone green before. Fans of the World Solar Car Challenge, for example, can credit the race's founding to Tholstrup, and he was originally made famous when he circled the continent of Australia in a 16-foot open boat.

This time around, the Hyundai Santa Fe CRDi (Common-Rail Direct injection) supplied Tholstrup with his thrill. After the diesel mid-size sport utility vehicle not only transported Tholstrup from Adelaide to Sydney on a single tank of gas -- with over a quarter of a tank left -- Tholstrup decided to trek a little bit farther to Port Macquarie for a total of 1,100 miles and over 50 miles per gallon. Not bad for an all-wheel drive mid-sized seven-seater weighing in at just under two tons.

In a press release yesterday, Hyundai touted the achievement in the same breath as it denounced hybrids such as the Lexus RX400h as less efficient vehicles with issues surrounding battery disposal and cost. Hyundai has rumbled here and there within the last year about creating affordable hybrid versions of its vehicles, and it and even went so far as to launch the Portico concept vehicle in Chicago, but so far, no firm plans have been announced.

[Source: Gizmag]

Hyundai Motor Co. has released pricing information for the 2007 Santa Fe. The SUV, which dealerships should be receiving this month, is brand new having undergone extensive changes from last year's model.

The starting base price at $20,945 is below last year's price of $21,695. The Santa Fe is offered in three trims: GLS, SE, and Limited. Two V-6 engines are offered, and while an automatic transmission is offered for both engines, a manual is only offered in GLS trim. All-wheel drive is also available. Other features include a rear seat DVD system and third-row seating. Hyundai plans to offer XM satellite radio and Bluetooth later this year. GPS navigation system will be offered some time in 2007.

Here's the basic breakdown of pricing:

•  Santa Fe GLS 2.7L V6 5-Speed M/T  FWD $20,945
•  Santa Fe GLS 2.7L V6 5-Speed M/T  AWD $22,945
•  Santa Fe GLS 2.7L V6 4-Speed A/T with SHIFTRONIC® FWD $22,145
•  Santa Fe GLS 2.7L V6 4-Speed A/T with SHIFTRONIC® AWD $24,145
•  Santa Fe SE 3.3L V6 5-Speed A/T with SHIFTRONIC® FWD $23,645
•  Santa Fe SE 3.3L V6 5-Speed A/T with SHIFTRONIC® AWD $25,645
•  Santa Fe Limited 3.3L V6 5-Speed A/T with SHIFTRONIC® FWD $25,945
•  Santa Fe Limited 3.3L V6 5-Speed A/T with SHIFTRONIC® AWD $27,945

Specification details can be found here and here. Press release is after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai Motor America]

This large unibody SUV from Hyundai could be a replacement for the  Terracan sold elsewhere around the world or it could be a new CUV developed specifically with the North American market in mind. The Car Connection seems to believe the latter, and who are we to argue? Known internally as the “EN”, this Ford Explorer-sized utility vehicle would occupy the territory above the Sante Fe in Hyundai’s line-up. The two vehicles would share the same platform, except the EN would receive a stretched and widened version to go with its unique interior and exterior. Motivation will most likely come from Hyundai’s flagship 3.8L V6 being used in the Azera at the moment.

[Source: The Car Connection]

UPDATE: Corrected availability of Terracan - it's also sold in Europe, as well as Asia.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given the new 2006 Hyundai Azera a frontal offset impact rating of “Good”, the organization’s best rating for crashworthiness. Like many a Hyundai, the Azera’s virtually a padded room on wheels with Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, ABS and eight airbags all standard.

The Azera’s “Good” rating gives Hyundai a full-boat of highly rated vehicles. All current model Hyundai vehicles tested by the IIHS, which includes the Elantra, Santa Fe, Sonata and XG300/XG350, have earned a “Good” frontal offset impact rating.

[Source: Hyundai and IIHS]