Introduced in 2001, the mid-sized Hyundai Santa Fe was Hyundai’s first SUV and quickly grew to become one of Korean auto maker’s most successful models. Value for the dollar and reasonable gas mileage have been two of the Santa Fe’s largest draws. Highway gas mileage ratings land in the mid-twenties every model year, with front-wheel-drive variants scoring as high as 27 or 28 miles per gallon (MPG). The Santa Fe was significantly redesigned for the 2007 model year.

The Santa Fe GLS is equipped with a 2.7 liter V-6 rated at 185 horsepower (HP), while the Santa Fe SE and Santa Fe Limited are fitted with a larger 3.3 liter V-6 rated at 242 HP. A 2.2 liter CRDi four-cylinder turbo-diesel is available internationally in the Santa Fe, but not here in the States. The turbo-diesel notches a 30% or so improvement in fuel economy when compared to its gasoline-powered counterpart.



