The Hyundai Santa Fe isn't the oldest or most established SUV on the road today. But in its two decades of production, it has carved out a reputation for drivers who crave something sophisticated and adventurous to get around Buffalo and beyond.
Like a proud parent, our sales staff has seen the Santa Fe evolve through the years into a courageous SUV capable of scaling mountains and swooping through traffic with agility and charisma. We want to take a minute to look at how far this midsize SUV has come.
Santa Fe First Generation
The Hyundai Santa Fe made its US debut back in 2000. SUVs were just starting to get a foothold on North Tonawanda, NY drivers. Admittedly, it didn't visually stand out from the crowd. And it tried to be many things to everybody. It was a rugged off-road machine that thought it was a sedan.
It showed off the soft curves of a sedan and a spacious cabin. But even in its infancy, it took the bold step of providing a standard CD player. In its second year, a sunroof appeared as an optional upgrade. All-in-all, the Santa Fe had a solid, if unremarkable, beginning.
Second Generation
By the time the second generation of the Santa Fe rolls around, the engineers at Hyundai have a better idea of what they're trying to achieve with this relative newcomer. It took on new life with a much-needed redesign with a visually-pleasing upgrade. Under the hood, it received a 3.3-liter V6 engine and now included all-wheel drive as an option.
Hyundai focused more on passenger comfort by raising the rear seats for added legroom. Side steps were considered an upgrade on first-gen Santa Fe models but made standard in the new generation.
Third Generation Begins in 2012
By now, the Hyundai Santa Fe we recognize was beginning to take shape. Hyundai gave the Santa Fe an aggressive facelift with a wider grille and sharper-looking headlights. It was marketed more towards everyday driving for families and less on off-road capabilities.
In the cabin, Hyundai installed a new infotainment system, complete with a reverse camera and navigation, USB ports, and Bluetooth connectivity. It was earning a reputation as a reliable option for drivers, according to JD Power.
Fourth Gen Improvements
By now, drivers were getting more choices for their new Hyundai SUV. The Santa Fe Sport was revealed at the New York Auto Show in 2012 for the fourth generation. This was a shorter version of the more conventional Santa Fe.
Meanwhile, engineers went to work to make the Santa Fe the best it could be by replacing 25% of its original components in a series of updates. The bumper got a fresh new look, with lower fog lights and daytime running lights with LED technology included. Drivers enjoyed a better-sounding audio system courtesy of the 12-speaker Infinity Logic7 setup. A touchscreen was installed at the top of the center stack. By 2017, all Santa Fe trims were outfitted with roof rack side rails.
A seven-inch infotainment touchscreen was found as the hub of infotainment operations and synced up to Hyundai's Blue Link system. An available eight-inch touchscreen and panoramic sunroof were among the upgrade features.
Current Generation
The Hyundai Santa Fe is now in its fifth generation and is making a substantial impact on the lifestyle of drivers today. It is more elegant and rugged than ever. Its aggressive grille and slim T-shaped LED headlights project a thrill-seeking attitude drivers crave.
The cabin is roomier than ever before, with more leg and headroom for passengers. A lower dash puts you closer to your 10.25-inch infotainment headquarters and in the driver's seat for all the action.
As it has evolved through the years, the Hyundai Santa Fe has become a desirable option for drivers looking to add a few more thrills to their daily routines. Head to Northtown Hyundai today and see how this adventurous SUV can elevate your commute.
