The Award Winning 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD

by Durhl Caussey

The Santa Fe comes in three trim packages: the GLS mid-size crossover, the Sporty SE, and the Santa Fe Limited that comes with an outstanding package of luxury features.

The Santa Fe Limited comes with all the equipment found on the SE, but adds a leather seating surface, heated front seat, and power drive seats with power lumbar support which helped this old man with a bad back. Dual zone automatic temperature control with outside temperature display kept me toasty on the inside on cold days and wonderfully refreshed on days the temperature rose into the mid 80s.

The Santa Fe V-6 3.3L DOHC 24-Valve Engine with 5-speed automatic transmission had the pep and quickened audacity that allowed me to do things like merge with the flow of traffic from the on-ramp without impeding or jeopardizing my safety. Passing was easy and appeared articulate in taking commands from the accelerator to the smooth and powerful engine.

I can’t tell you how enjoyable it was to drive the Santa Fe during the holiday season. X-M Satellite Radio added to the cab’s Christmas atmosphere, which uplifted my spirit and filled my heart with merriment. It made the season festive and it passed much too quickly.

Until I did a little research, I didn’t realize that Hyundai had an assembly plant in the USA. But they do, and it is located in Montgomery, Ala. Portions of the engine are made in the U.S., but Korea and Canada contribute to nearly all parts manufactured.

Front and rear disc brakes are standard and are coupled with a four-channeled anti-lock system that includes brake assists to provide maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected. This lessens the frustration I have driving on the winding road that takes me home, but often around hillside rocks that have been sent spilling onto the road and century old trees that have been scarred by high winds and left stranded on the roadside. Winter weather attracts my attention because often these winds leave large limbs and fast water across the road.

Blue backlighting for interior gauges, switches and buttons highlight the Limited’s modern integrated interior design. Even the cup holders are ringed with a blue light for night driving. Smooth, safe, night time driving adds even more pleasure to a cold glass of soda that is easy to locate to be quickly enjoyed.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimate is 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Quite frankly, I didn’t get that kind of mileage. I only got 12 in the city and 17 on the highway. There are numerous reason for this, one of which is poor math on my part. But I wanted to report it as it happened to me.

The Santa Fe has one of the industry’s best warranty packages:

5-year/60,000 miles new car warranty
10-year/ 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and
5-year/ unlimited miles roadside assistance

The Santa Fe features six standard airbags, including side air curtains for all three rows of available seating. The Hyundai Santa Fe has received the US Governments highest crash test ratings for frontal for driver and passenger and side for both front and rear seats and a near perfect score for rollover.

The manufacture’s suggested retail price is nearly $27,000. But as I visited the dealer show rooms and repair shops I found that there is a high motivation to reduce suggested prices considerably, but not at the price of quality or reduction in optional features.

Durhl Caussey is an international auto writer. He is a member of the Texas Auto Writers Association. He may be reached at this publication or dcaussey@sbcglobal.net.