A mid-size crossover SUV, the Hyundai Santa Fe is based on the Hyundai Sonata platform and was first introduced for the 2001 model year. The Toyota Highlander is considered the biggest competitor for the Santa Fe, and was released about the same time. The Santa Fe is a notable
vehicle for Hyundai because it was the first time that Hyundai entered the SUV market and came at a time of company reconstruction. Though critics didn't like the odd look of the Santa Fe, it was almost immediately a huge success with American SUV consumers. Hyundai credits the Santa Fe with its ability to continue business in the United States, as it quickly became the best seller.
The Santa Fe was available in three trim levels in the United States, which were the GL base model, the mid-line GLS, and the more luxurious LX. In 2001 the Santa Fe was available with two different engines and transmission. An underpowered variant with a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine was standard and came with either a five-speed manual or a four speed automatic. A more powerful 2.7-liter Delta V6 offered a more efficient power and was offered with just the automatic transmission. The Santa Fe offered front wheel drive with traction control standard and four-wheel drive was optional.
The 2002 model of the Hyundai Santa Fe saw no changes, but it continued to sell quite well. While it continued to sell well, current Santa Fe owners were making their wish lists known as to what they would like to see on the Santa Fe in the future. Lucky for consumers, Hyundai introduced a 2002.5 model where they increased the fuel tank capacity to 19 gallons from 17 as well as a reorganization of the badges on the tailgate. These were issues that Santa Fe owners had, and Hyundai responded with this very rare mid year model.
For the 2003 model Hyundai made some changes such as replacing the front hood prop, gas struts, adding a sunroof option, lighting the glove box, as well as several other cosmetic changes. Hyundai also updated the engine with a 3.5-liter V6 that provided consumers with 200 horsepower that was coupled with a five speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe now featured an intelligent four-wheel drive system, the clock was moved from the roof to the dashboard, and a high performance sound system was offered. The changes in 2003 were so well received that there were very few changes in 2004, and sales continued to be great.
In 2005 there were some changes again including the grille, the taillights, the rear bumper, and the instrument cluster. Hyundai dropped the Sandstone color that had been offered and replaced it with Mocha Frost. The 2005 model saw the end of the four-cylinder engine as well as the five speed manual transmission. Hyundai made a 2.7-liter V6 engine the standard so that the Santa Fe would be adequately powered.
The 2006 model saw some small changes as color options were dropped, the LX trim level was renamed the Limited. Hyundai unveiled the 2007 generation of the Santa Fe at the 2006 North American International Auto Show and it featured some great things like three rows of seats. The 2007 model will be as great as all others, no doubt.
