DriveTech

Hyundai raises the bar in value with 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited

Just as I predicted, Hyundai continues to raise the bar in value. While drivers will pay more for a '07 Hyundai Santa Fe there are a lot more standard features, especially in the safety department. In fact, the Hyundai Santa Fe has achieved a level not expected from Hyundai.

The first thing you notice is that the Santa Fe has lost its bulbous front fenders and rugged grill - thank you! It has a sleek look and if you break out the measuring tape you will find it is bigger than last year's model, inside and out. I think Hyundai is ready for some serious competition in the SUV market and has its sights set on being the best-valued mid-size SUV. It's certainly on the right track.

The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe is a class leader in standard safety equipment, with features such as six standard airbags (front, front seat mounted side airbags, roof mounted side curtain airbags), standard electronic stability control with traction control, standard ABS with electronic brake force distribution, front seat active head restraints and a tire pressure monitoring system. These are all standard on the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Drivers get a choice of two V6 engines - a 2.7-liter V6 that produces 185 horsepower and 183 pound-foot of torque or a 3.3-liter V6 that produces 242 horsepower and 226 pound-foot of torque (my tester). There are three transmission choices, two automatics and one manual. The four-speed electronic controlled automatic is only available on the smaller V6, the five-speed automatic is available only on the larger V6 and the five-speed manual is only available on the smaller V6.

My tester had a fuel mileage reading of 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the freeway. The 2.7-liter V6 gets 21 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the open road.

Something else new for Hyundai is the many models available. There's the GLS, GLS Base and the GLS AWD (that's right - all-wheel drive on a Hyundai). Then there's the SE, SE AWD and the Limited, which is what I tested.

I was surprised at how good the all-new Santa Fe looks, inside and out. Inside it has wood trim along with leather seating and heaters in the front seats. The standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 player has audio controls on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, which would suffice but Hyundai has hooked up with the Infinity Logic 7 AM/FM/MP3/CD changer with 10 well-positioned speakers. This makes the Hyundai a strong competitor when it comes to a quality sound system.

For the kiddies, Hyundai has installed an entertainment system for the second row occupants that can be controlled from the rear. The backseat is very comfortable and if you need a third row of seats, Hyundai can add them.

Hyundai has really stepped up its product = ine to the point that you're now a pretty smart buyer for buying Hyundai. Can you believe Hyundai even has a de-icer? How many vehicles do you know have de-icers?

The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe rides great thanks to the standard P235/60R-18 inch tires mounted on stylish alloy wheels. The Santa Fe is smooth as silk and feels heavy on the road, which in my mind is perfect.

My test Hyundai came with the optional power sunroof, entertainment center, 115 volt outlets, Infinity sound system, power front passenger seat, powder white pearl paint, and carpeted floor mats - bringing the price from $25,945 to $30,460. Plus there's the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, five-year unlimited mile roadside assistance, seven-year unlimited corrosion warranty. So how could you go wrong?

Stop by Heller Hyundai in the Escondido Auto Park and ask to see the car I tested. Perhaps the dealership will cut you a special deal. Call Heller Hyundai at (760) 745-3361.

Next week, a vehicle from Carriage Motors in Temecula.

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