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.
Santa Fe features all of the latest infotainment and safety technology offered by Hyundai including vehicle stability management with traction control, airbags everywhere, downhill brake control and hill start assist, and blind spot detection and rearview camera along with rear cross traffic alert and lane change assist. The Ultimate package on our tester added the likes of panoramic sunroof, navigation with 8-inch touchscreen, Infinity QuantumLogic 7 surround audio system with Clari-Fi music restoration technology, ventilated front seating, 19-inch alloy wheels, proximity key entry with pushbutton start, and hands-free smart liftgate with auto open.
An Ultimate Tech package added to our review model featured Smart Cruise Control with stop/start function, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, dynamic bending (head)light, high beam assist, and auto-leveling headlights.
Pricing for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport begins at $24,950 with our FWD 2.0T Ultimate tester arriving with a final sticker of $38,325. Fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. And don’t forget Hyundai has one of the best powertrain warranties at 10-years/100,000-miles.
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is very comfortable and quiet but does not go the extreme of boring or sedate. It rides very smoothly and quite stable, with just a little road noise from the tires. Thanks to the turbo engine and other technologies like the Drive Select Mode, drivers can still find a little bit of fun in the daily commute or weekend getaway. At least Hyundai delivers a bit of sport on a model dubbed “Sport.”
Santa Fe Sport in Paris, Texas/Image by Author
Hyundai’s new crossovers are proving the automaker wants to not only have a presence in the US market but make a real impression as well. New designs and updated technology combined with greatly improved driving experiences will have Hyundai reaching that goal very quickly and once they rid consumers of old stigmas toward the brand the sky is the limit. With vehicles like this new Santa Fe Sport, it is obvious Hyundai is well on its way toward achieving that goal.