2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0 T, ULT, FWD

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0 T, ULT, FWD

An Automotive Love Affair

By Joe Mavilia

Overview:

This is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0 T, ULT, FWD (front wheel drive). Yet another of my favourite Hyundai products. I don’t have a dog in this fight or even have a bias toward the Korean people per se, (although the one’s I’ve met at the factory have been delightful people), the product they produce is reflective of people who care about their trade. I do believe Kudos where justly due.

Oh, incidentally ULT is short for Ultimate.

General Information:

It is assembled in West Point, Georgia USA; Parts – US/Canadian 45%, Korea 55%; Engine and transmission – USA; Classification is Small SUV’s. Cars from Hyundai: Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra GT, Ioniq, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, Tucson and Veloster.

Handling & Performance:

You know, I don’t think I’d ever want another car without it being Turbocharged. This Santa Fe is a delight to drive and doesn’t take a back seat to most cars on the road. This 4-cylinder develops 240 horsepower. You’re going to love this, not so small, SUV.

Styling:

Hyundai is becoming more recognisable on our highways as each day passes. No longer is Toyota the Dominant player in the market. South Korea is putting out some fantastic looking cars.

Fit and Finish:

Excellent.

Cost:

Hyundai and Kia came to play in a serious way. You have to be as impressed with the product and its people as I am. I believe you’ll get what you pay for.

Conveniences and comfort:

Aside from the sunroof and the remote start features, which I can always do without, it was equipped just the way I like it. By the way, if I lived it a cold climate I take back my comment about the ‘remote start’. In a cold climate, I have found that feature very desirable.

Consumer Recommendations:

Nice nice SUV. It rates high on my satisfaction meter.

Recognised Competition:

Hyundai Santa FE Sport $32,000, Kia Sorento $33,000, Volkswagen Atlas $33,000, Subaru Outback $33,000.

Good News:

One of the hottest products on the market, good fuel economy, priced well, and this one was Turbo FAST.

Bad News:

N/A

Standard Equipment:

2.0 Liter 240 horsepower Turbo Gas direct injection 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed automatic transmission, stability management, traction control, tire pressure monitor, front, side and side curtain airbags, 19” Alloy wheels, roof side rails, fog lights, auto on/off headlights, heated power mirrors with turn signal indicators, Panoramic sunroof, parking sensors, hands free rear liftgate with auto open, proximate key with push button start, manual rear side window sunshades, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel, leather seating, steering wheel and shift knob, 40/20/40 split folding rear seats, dual climate control, multi-view camera system, power front seats, 8” NAV with android Auto and Apple CarPlay, AM/ FM/HD Radio with Sirius XM/ CD,MP3 with infinity premium audio with Quantum Logic Surround Sound and music restoration technology, Color multi information display, Blue Link (3 yr.) connected services, remote start, multimedia / Map .

Gas Stats:

$3.05-Gal avg. January 6, 2018

www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.

20 City and 27 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $35,650.