2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Arrives

Filed in archive on February 16, 2006

I recall an incident when the previous Hyundai Santa Fe hit the streets. A lady at the wheel of a new one, the first I'd seen, stopped to ask directions. After explaining the route I said "and how are things in Santa Fe?" She looked at me with a blank stare and drove off. Well, I thought it was funny and a nice way to start a little chat but she obviously didn't get it.

So when I spot a 2007 Santa Fe on the road I'll keep my mouth shut. Or maybe ask "how are things in Albuquerque?"

The all-new Santa Fe appeared at the Canadian International Auto Show and has enough features to start a lengthy conversation. To wit... larger inside and out with segment-leading standard safety technologies, Hyundai's first fold-flat third row seat, two new V-6 engines. The 2.7 delivers 186-hp though a 4-speed automatic, the 3.3 produces 230-hp and has a 5-speed auto. Electronic stability control, traction control, front and rear 16-inch disc brakes backed with 4-channel ABS that includes electronic brake force distribution are all standard. The 50/50-split 3rd row seat and 60/40-split 2nd row seat both fold flat. Six airbags are included.

This is the first production vehicle designed at Hyundai's Irvine, California design centre and will be produced at its Montgomery, Alabama plant. And after glancing at this just-released pr photo from Toronto, I'm happy to have left home and fled to the temperate west coast.