2013 Hyundai Santa Fe First Drive

Sometimes a company needs to cut its losses. Hyundai recently pulled the plug on the Veracruz, because in the midst of family crossovers touting enough passenger space to field a starting hockey team, the Veracruz was left behind by the likes of the Chevrolet Traverse, Mazda CX-9, and Toyota Highlander. But Hyundai did not give up on the six- and seven-passenger family segment. No, it simply doubled down on its successful Santa Fe nameplate, creating a long-wheelbase version of the Santa Fe Sport and adding a moderately comfortable third row. It's the vehicle Hyundai should have rolled out in the first place, one that provides a well-balanced ride in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, loads of creature comforts, and smart packaging inside and out. While adopting the Santa Fe's looks, designers changed some of the vehicle's exterior behind the B-pillar, adding a few more ripples to Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language. Hyundai also added more than eight inches to the vehicle's length, and the wheelbase was lengthened by 3.9 inches to 110.2 inches over the Santa Fe Sport. It's also 0.2 inch wider and 0.4 inch taller.

The bigger body was put to good use, providing a solid platform for on-road performance and an additional 16.7 cubic feet of interior space over its smaller sibling. But how that space is used is what will determine whether this big crossover can gain traction in a competitive segment. The six- or seven-passenger configurations come down to the type of second-row seats a customer chooses. Personally, I would take the two captain's chairs found on the Limited model over the 40/20/40 folding second row that comes with the GLS. The chairs slide and recline, providing 41.3 inches of legroom -- nearly as much as the front seats -- and are incredibly comfortable, with nice bolstering and seat cushion. There's also the advantage of the space between the two second-row seats that allows for easier access to the third row than folding the second row and trying to squeeze back there as if you're playing an awkward round of Twister. The third row gives little legs 31.5 inches of space -- great for kids during long hauls, and OK for adults on an impromptu lunch run. There are a slew of other family-friendly features within, ranging from four different audio systems and dual climate controls to an optional clean air ionizer and 115-volt power outlet to let kids play games or just charge the multitude of electronic devices they carry with them. There's even an optional panoramic roof that stretches all the way back to the third row. Hyundai has also further advanced the BlueLink app that gives your smartphone access to your vehicle. The app allows you to remotely start or unlock your Santa Fe, download vehicle diagnostics, immobilize it if it gets stolen, and it will send you a text message if your offspring breaks the speed limit or drives outside of a predetermined geofence. Teens, beware: Big Parent has arrived, and he's on your mom and dad's smartphones. Of course, parents might not want to give up the keys after sitting in the spacious front area, which includes a well-appointed dash with elegant curves and heated seats. (The second row seats also offer seat heaters.) Drivers will appreciate the Santa Fe's 3.3-liter direct-injected V-6, which offers 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. I was offered a few hours to drive the Santa Fe last week and found myself giddy with the big vehicle's power. The high riding position and light body (at 3950 pounds, it's more than 200 pounds lighter than the Toyota Highlander) made this vehicle downright fun to toss through some twisty roads around San Diego. The ride was smooth and exceptionally quiet, attributes the Veracruz did not possess.

Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, Hyundai's V-6 never wanted for power. During aggressive driving, the transmission now and then seemed unsure of what gear it wanted to grab, but for the most part, it performed well. Hyundai rates the Santa Fe's towing capacity at 5000 pounds.

2013 Santa Fe Sport

Just like the Santa Fe Sport, the Santa Fe provides three different selectable driver modes for its electric motor-driven power steering. Basically, each mode increases feedback by 10 percent. The changes are noticeable, but not necessarily good. I found Comfort mode too loose and Sport mode too tight, so I kept the steering on Normal. Hyundai also adds a number of standard driver-friendly features, including Hill Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control.  On the safety front, Hyundai did a nice job of loading up the Santa Fe with seven airbags and active brake assist, which steps in if the vehicle detects aggressive braking. The all-wheel-drive model features Active Cornering Control, which monitors driving conditions and traction requirements and provides additional stability by either braking or sending torque to a single wheel. The system is a step up from some cornering systems that are basically highly advanced electronic stability control. It was difficult for me to tell if this system was working during my test drive, though I can attest to never accidently driving off the road.  Overall, the long-wheelbase Santa Fe feels ready for prime time. Its configurability and capabilities give the vehicle a sense of purpose, and the number of high-end features at a reasonable price makes the Santa Fe a value. Yet, it's the Santa Fe's performance that completes the package. Just because someone has a family or spends his or her days toting kids around town doesnt mean the ride shouldnt be fun. The Santa Fe provides just that.