2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe rolls in as a car-based sport-utility wagon
Story by Bob Plunkett

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- The dirt track at Carlsbad Raceway, draped over a canyon carved by Agua Hedionda Creek as it meanders to the California coast in San Diego County, consists of one after another steep trace that shoots up or down sheer banks on packed but sandy loam.

     Slippery soil on an acute grade can be a formidable challenge to traction even for a four-wheel-drive vehicle, although our runs on the Carlsbad course in the Santa Fe, a different kind of sport-utility vehicle from Hyundai of Korea, demonstrated that this compact-class wagon packs enough guts to conquer even severe cascades.

     It took some convincing for one driver, however, because from the outset on top of the course our view beyond the steering wheel revealed nothing more than thin air as the trail dropped off at a sharp angle into the creekbed.

     Set the shift lever in low gear, then ease into the throttle and allow the vehicle to roll over the edge of the slope while an intelligent traction system disburses engine torque between front and rear wheels to check wheel slippage and hold all tires on the grade.

     Our Santa Fe moved steadily down that wall and into the rutted canyon.

     It also climbed back up the slope without protest.

     These maneuvers at Carlsbad clearly showed that the sophisticated all-wheel-drive mechanism in Santa Fe can maintain a firm grip even on a dicy surface like dirt. For less challenging conditions such as dry pavement, all power applies to the front wheels that also steer this wagon.

     Two-wheel-drive versions also direct all of the engine's power to the front wheels.

     Having the front wheels both turn and steer becomes an advantage on pavement because it sets up an easy-to-drive dexterity for a sport-utility -- and that's where Hyundai's first SUV varies from the typical sport-ute.

     Differences begin with Santa Fe's foundation.

     Instead of the rear-wheel-drive chassis of a truck that's the basis for a typical sport-ute, Santa Fe uses the front-wheel-drive platform of a sedan -- Hyundai's agile flagship Sonata -- in a monocoque platform that melds bed and body in a unitized structure that remains rigid when set in motion.

     The extended wheelbase of 103.1 inches cultivates a smooth ride quality as a broad track of five feet between wheels ensures stability during turning maneuvers.

     To the stiff frame, car-like independent suspension elements attach in independent arrangement that employs MacPherson struts up front and a trailing arm design in back with multiple links, coil springs and gas-filled shocks.

     Add precise rack and pinion steering and the resultant vehicle fitted with 16-inch wheels and tires moves with the ease and agility of a compliant sedan.

     Since Santa Fe exhibits ride and handling traits of a front-wheel-drive car rather than a rear-wheel-drive truck, Hyundai suggests changing the classification of Santa Fe from sport-utility vehicle to XUV, or crossover utility vehicle. In effect, Santa Fe possesses the best attributes of both a car and a truck.

     Despite a car-like attitude, though, Santa Fe looks tough like a sturdy wagon rigged for work yet it's also stylish with a bold face and shapely contours on the sides.

     It stands high and appears even more so due to a tall ring of bumpers and bodyside moldings in a dark color.

     In front, the bumper becomes a leading lip etched with air scoop and flanking foglamps that underscore a narrow grille protruding between angular corner headlamps.

     The hood holds hard linear creases and crisp edges in contrast against strong shoulders rolling onto subtly undulating flank waves and flat-faced wheel flares, while an aggressive slant to the windshield fashions an aerodynamic sweep over the roofline to the forward-tipped back gate.

     These distinctive shapes for Santa Fe bear the mark of international influence over the design process. Initial concepts originated with Hyundai's California design team working with stylists in Korea, who ultimately brought in additional ideas from designers in Germany and Italy before developing final versions.

     For the passenger compartment, dramatic styling continues in a spacious cabin filled with creative designs and thoughtful features.

     The layout consists of bucket seats and center console in front of a bench seat for three and a bay in back measuring to 30 cubic feet for cargo and sports equipment. Bench seatback splits in 60/40 proportions and the sections fold flat to virtually triple the rear storage space.

     Additional storage areas include an under-deck box with removable tray plus side bins and door map pockets.

     All three trim variations contain premium standard features that range from air conditioning and power controls for windows and door locks to a stereo audio package with compact disc player and external gear like alloy wheels, deep-tint privacy glass and rooftop cargo rails.

     Two different Hyundai engines motivate Santa Fe.

     The base vehicle carries a twin-cam 2.4-liter four-cylinder plant with aluminum heads and dual balanced shafts. Output extends to 150 hp at 5500 rpm, with torque rising to 156 lb-ft at 3000 rpm.

     Two upgraded trim levels -- GLX and the luxurious LX -- pack a V6 that's an expanded version of the Sonata dual-cam six-pack. Displacing 2.7 liters with aluminum block and heads, this plant delivers 185 hp at 6000 rpm plus 187 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.

     Either a manual five-speed transmission or an automatic four-speed works with each engine, but for the V6 Hyundai adds a Shiftronic feature with clutch-less manual control.

     The V6 engine also mates exclusively with the all-time four-wheel-drive system that installs a transfer case with viscous coupling between front and rear differentials to channel engine power to the wheels that maintain traction.

     Inherent safety equipment includes structural energy management zones surrounding the passenger compartment plus dual air bags for front riders and a detection system in the front passenger seat that deactivates the air bag when the seat is unoccupied or a child is present. Side-impact air bags and anti-lock brakes are also available.

     Hyundai supports Santa Fe with the strongest warranty in the business (100,000-mile powertrain protection plus 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper shield and five years of roadside assistance with lockout and emergency towing service), then sets price points in an affordable range from $18,000 to $23,000.