Pics of my new Santa Fe

[Basil]

The dealer in Huntsville (Decatur really) where I just bought my new 2007 Santa Fe sent me some pictures of my actual car. I've already bought it, but won't get to pick it up until I go to Huntsville on Business in a couple of weeks (I can't wait). I'll fly in, and then drive it back to New Mexico after my week of meetings in Huntsville (I live in Santa Fe County by coincidence).

It is a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited, All Wheel Drive w/ XM radio and a sunroof. The color is Powder White Pearl with beige leather.

AS an aside, the young man you was my sales rep recently joined the forum, but I don’t think he’s posted yet. He happens to own a Delorean!


Basil

 

[aeronca65t]

Nice.
My younger daughter has a three-year old Suburban and the gas is killing her.
She's been looking at those...they have an excellent safety rating.
Did you know that the first car Hyundai built was the Ford Cortina? (under license from Ford).

 

[Steve]

Looks good. I shall be very interested to find out how you get on with the vehicle, Hyundai are supposed to be very good in terms of quality and reliability these days.

 

[Basil]

Nice.
My younger daughter has a three-year old Suburban and the gas is killing her.
She's been looking at those...they have an excellent safety rating.
Did you know that the first car Hyundai built was the Ford Cortina? (under license from Ford).

This is the first "SUV" we've ever owned. It is replacing two cars in our stable - it will be my wife's every day car, replacing the Miata we just sold. We are also selling the Nissan Pickup just as soon as I can get it running.

The safty record was a big factor in our decision. The Santa Fe received the highest crash test rating:
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/abouthyundai/news/2007_03_28/2007_03_28.aspx

The 2007 Santa Fe also earned the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS’s) “TOP SAFETY PICK” award – the best rating ever for a midsize SUV.

Another factor is quality. Hyundai wasn't always associated with good quality, in fact just the opposite. But the past couple of years they have really gotten their act together and recently received the Total Quality Award for several of their cars, including the Santa Fe:
https://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4020223

They also have the best warrenty in the business which is 60 mos/60k miles bumper-to-bumper and 10 years/100k miles drive train.

Three of my work associates recently purchased Santa Fes and looking at theirs up close also helped sway me to the Santa Fe. The resaon I bought it from a Huntsville dealer is that they came in with a much lower quote than either of the two dealers in my local area. Since I fly to Huntsville all the time on business and can pick it up and drive it back at company expense, it made it worth while to save nearly $2,000.

 

[Basil]

I found a pretty good third party review of the 2007 Santa Fe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VpyvCWpjfo

 

[Basil]

Re: Santa Fe 3 month report

Well, we've had the new Santa Fe (pictures in the first post of this thread) for a little more than three months now, so I've had some time to get used to it and decide at least some of what I like and don't like.

Likes:

#1 <u>The Ride Quality</u>. When I did my research on the Hyundai Santa Fe, I read that the 18 inch wheels made the ride quality suffer. If that's true, then I must not be as sensitive as the test drivers because I am extremely happy with the ride quality. And the interior noise is very low. I've not yet had an opportunity to drive it in ice and snow conditions where the All Wheel Drive will kick in, however.

#2 <u>Fuel Economy</u>. For a standard gas-powered SUV with a 260hp V6, its not too bad. We have been getting about 25 on the highway and 22-23 in the city.

#3 <u>Cabin Ergonomics</u>. The interior is not Lexus-level, but for an SUV in it's price range (well under 30k nicely equipped), it is very nice. The optional leather seats are very comfortable and the fact that they are heated is perfect on cold mornings. All the dash controls are well designed and laid out. There is plenty of storage up front, and I really like the design of the auto-adjusting, grip cup holders. There a neat little cubby box that swings down at the touch of a finger where sunglasses, etc can be stored. A similar liitle pop-up cubby is located on the top center of the dash. The center console has two compartments, an upper and a much more spacious lower.
compartment.

#4 <u>Reclining back seats</u>. The rear seats split 40/60 and each section can recline so rear passengers can sleep on long trips. Air flow in the rear is independently controlled.

#5 <u>XM Radio</u>. Love it!

#6 <u>Rear cargo area</u>. The rear cargo area is very spacious. The rear seats fold down very flat to provide much more room if needed. There are two separate comparments under the floor (if you don't have third row seating) when lots of goodies can be stored out of site.

#7 Rear deck lid. The rear deck lid opens effortlessly and is very easy to close, with a hang-down strap to assist shorter folks in grabbing the door for closure.

#8 <u>Auto-dimming rear view mirror</u>. How did I ever live without this all my life?

#9 <u>Auto airbags on passenger side</u>. The airbags are OFF on the passenger side by default, and only turn on when someone more than 40 lbs sits there.

#10 (Added) <u>Headrests</u>. I forgot to mention, the head rests on the front seats are adjustible, not just up and down but also laterally. In addition, the headrests will move forward in an impact so as to minimize the severity of head-neck movement. I like that idea!

Dislikes

Overallwe both really love this new Santa Fe, but there are a few nits that I would like to change.

#1 <u>Interior Lighting</u>. With the optional sunroof installed, they mounted the interior dome light way back almost in the cargo area. The result is, poor lighting at night when you open the door.

#2 <u>Interior Dash Lights</u>. The dash lights are a very nice blue color, and they shine on the dash and the lettering on most of the buttons, including the door mounted window and lock controls. My complaint is, they are too bright, even when you turn them down all the way. You can not turn them off at all.

#3 <u>Side mirror visibility</u>. Could be better. Also, I wish the side mirrors had the built in lights that work when you use turn signals (like the Chevy Silverado for example)

#4. <u>No iPod plugin </u>capability in the radio (There is in the back)

#5. <u>The widnshield wiper stalk </u>control has too many functions in one place for my taste. I'm forever getting them mixied up and turning on the rear wiper when I want the fronts; changing the wiper delay when I meant to spray washer fluid, etc. Maybe in time I'll get used to it.

Can't think of anything else right now. My complaints on the car are few and minor so far.

Basil

 

[BIBBER]

Re: Santa Fe 3 month report

Basil...your making it tough now....I'm planning on trading come next spring and by no means had even considered looking at the Santa Fe....but I loved the looks of your pic when first posted....and with that list of dislikes...needless to say keep us posted.....what kind of miles do you put on it...as a contracted consultant I commute about 90 miles everyday to and from Omaha and while I never considered myself a Ford man either I have to admit the Mountaineer I have right now has 130k on it and still runs like new......thanks

 

[PAUL161]

Re: Santa Fe 3 month report

My sister owns one and she loves it! I was impressed by how well it's built. Hers handles very nice and has a very comfortable ride. Not like the Jeep Liberty we have. I'd never buy another, but that of course is another subject.
Basil, I think you'll be impressed. PJ