[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks second among affordable midsize SUVs and it’s clear to see why, being the well-rounded vehicle it is. Its most notable features include high-quality materials for the interior, strong acceleration, rear parking sensors and an eight-inch touch screen that includes navigation.
The Hyundai Santa Fe is very well designed and continues to offer two models of the award-winning Sport Utility Vehicle. Somewhat confusingly the larger model is simply called Santa Fe, while the smaller model is known as the Santa Fe Sport. Both models come with more standard comfort and convenience equipment for 2015, including technological refinements to the steering and suspension systems.
Under the Hood
The Santa Fe continues to offer front- or all-wheel drive and seating options for five, six or seven passengers. The Santa Fe Sport seats five and is powered by an efficient 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
The larger Santa Fe model comes with Hyundai’s proven 3.3-liter Lambda II V-6 engine. All Santa Fe engines use gasoline direct injection and Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), and a six-speed automatic transmission is standard on all Santa Fe models.
The electric power steering system in both models now use a 32-bit microprocessor that delivers a refined steering feel. The revised steering system retains Hyundai’s Driver Selectable Steering Mode, which has a retuned “Sport” setting that takes advantage of the updated microprocessor and offers firmer steering. Front wheel bushings have also been retuned for 2015 for enhanced steering feel.
Standard Features
New standard features for the Santa Fe and Sport include daytime running lights, a driver’s blind spot mirror and an auto up/down front passenger power window, and it gets a new two-tone grille that emphasizes its sportier personality. And the Santa Fe Sport can be equipped with a power liftgate with the new power Hands- Free Auto Open option for easy access to the cargo area when your hands are full.
The liftgate opens when you stand a few feet from the rear bumper with the key fob in your pocket or purse.
Standard safety equipment
The 2015 Santa Fe includes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control System, seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, four-wheel disc brakes and ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) with Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Pricing
The starting MSRP for the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is $24,950.
[author image=”http://www.communitynewspapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Grant-Miller-4-C.jpg” ]Grant Miller is the publisher of Community Newspapers. He may be contacted by calling 305-662-2277 or by addressing email to Grant@CommunityNewspapers.com.[/author]
