The three-row/seven-seat Santa Fe is a people and cargo hauler extraordinaire. In the 2012 model year, Hyundai offered the two-row/five-seat Santa Fe. But things change and in the 2013 model year, Hyundai has given the Santa Fe Sport name to the five-seater. The Santa Fe name is now reserved for the long wheelbase three row/seven seat vehicle. Santa Fe’s dimensions underscore how much larger it is than the Sport version. Santa Fe has a 110.2-inch wheelbase (3.9 inches longer than the Sport), and a 193.1-inch overall length (8.5 inches longer than the Sport). From a cargo hauling perspective, the Santa Fe provides 40.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 13.5 cubic feet behind the third row. (The Sport version offers 35.4 cubic feet behind the second row.)

Santa Fe’s cloth-seat models feature a fabric treatment that adds soil-resistance as well as anti- static and odor blocking attributes to the material. The 2013 models also feature third-generation navigation and audio systems. From a power perspective, the Santa Fe is the lone midsize crossover utility vehicle to have a gasoline direct injection V6 as standard equipment. The 3.3- liter V6 provides 290 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 252 pounds-feet of torque at 5200 rpm and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The test driven Santa Fe served up a smooth ride, easy handling, ample power, and abundant cargo space. Front wheel drive Santa Fe Limited collects estimated mpg of 18 city/25 highway and carries a MSRP of $33,100.