The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport crossover seems to be making itself at home in the Gear Diary test driveway. This model launched a few years ago and now we have seen our third SF Sport in nearly as many years, most recently the new 2018 model.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport/Images courtesy Hyundai
The Santa Fe lineup at Hyundai is actually two vehicles – the three-row Santa Fe (that replaced the short-lived Veracruz) and the two-row Santa Fe Sport. Both models feature similar offerings and amenities with the interior occupant assignments (and external dimensions) being the distinguishing factors between the two. Santa Fe Sport seats up to five and Santa Fe can carry seven occupants.
Santa Fe Sport (left) and Santa Fe models
Powertrains are also different between the two as the larger unit gets a V-6 under the hood but we really enjoy the spirited turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder in the Sport (available on all but the base models). Power is rated at 240 ponies and 260 lb. ft. torque (down a bit from a couple of years ago but fuel economy has improved – slightly). Santa Fe Sport arrives in front- and all-wheel drive with our tester being the former. All Santa Fe models feature a six-speed automatic transmission, regardless of engine. It features the SHIFTRONIC manual control along with Hyundai’s new Drive Mode Select allowing drivers choice of Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes.
