2000 Hyundai Santa Fe LX 4x4 2.7 V6

Summary:

Highly capable SUV at a small price

Faults:

Nothing!

General Comments:

This car is very comfortable with leather seats and seat warmers and with a relatively high driving position which decreases fatigue on long trips.

This vehicle is driven on mountainous dirt roads in severe winter conditions as well as on long highway trips with impeccable manners in both conditions.

Interior space is generous and well thought out for a short wheelbase SUV.

Fuel economy has been reasonable at an average 21 MPG.

Technical details include ABS, 4 wheel independent suspension, 4 wheel disk brakes, transmission that functions as fully automatic or as driver controlled override to manual gear selection, a very useful feature for muddy mountainous conditions.

Sound system is excellent with a CD player and an FM tuner which demonstrates good sensitivity and fringe area reception.

The quality of construction appears very high.

The single criticism I have relates to the power to weight ratio which makes for some sluggishness. This vehicle weighs in at 3700 pounds with about 180 HP to supply power. To me, this is not a problem, but others may place a higher premium on acceleration and speed. The vehicle cruises very well at 70 MPH even on mountainous Interstate highways here in northern New England.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st April, 2002