Earlier this month Hyundai revealed its all-new 2013 model year Hyundai Santa Fe, which will come in a five-passenger model, the Santa Fe Sport and a long wheelbase (LWB) seven-passenger model called the Santa Fe.

Performance

The 2013-MY Santa Fe Sport model offers two four-cylinder engine choices. First is the Theta II 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), capable of producing 190 hp and 181 lb. ft. of torque. This engine gets an estimated mpg of 23 city, 33 highway.

Next up is the Theta II 2.0L turbocharged GDI engine, capable of producing up to 264 hp with an estimated fuel economy of 23 city, 31 highway, 25 combined mpg (FWD A/T). The Santa Fe (the long wheelbase version) comes with a Lambda II 3.3L GDI V-6 engine (the same as in the Azera) that can produce 290 hp. These engines are matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, and Hyundai said all models have an Active ECO System that boosts fuel economy.

The Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe Sport 2.0T and the Santa Fe (LWB model) come with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a fully independent multi-link rear suspension.

• The Santa Fe Sport rides on 17-inch wheels and P235/65 R17 tires.

• The Santa Fe Sport 2.0T sits on 19-inch wheels with P235/55R19 lower profile tires.

• The LWB Santa Fe comes with 18- or 19-inch wheels.

In terms of driving performance and handling, the Santa Fe features new driver selectable steering modes, Comfort, Normal and Sport. The Comfort mode is designed for urban driving and parking areas, Normal is for mixed driving conditions, and Sport is for optimized for higher-speed freeways or winding roads (steering requires 10 percent more effort in this mode).

The Santa Fe Sport features a 35.76 ft. turning radius even though this model has a longer wheelbase than the previous generation of the vehicle.

Exterior

The Santa Fe Sport has a 106.3-inch wheelbase, an overall length of 184.6 inches, a height of 66.1 inches and width of 74.0 inches. The larger Santa Fe sits on a 110.2-inch wheelbase (3.9 inches longer than the Santa Fe Sport’s wheelbase) and has an overall length of 193.1 inches (compared with Santa Fe Sport’s length of 184.6 inches). The 74.2-inch width is slightly wider than Santa Fe Sport.

The LWB Santa Fe’s overall height is 66.5 inches, which is 0.4 inches higher than Santa Fe Sport.

Additional exterior design features include standard chrome grille and door handle accents, bodycolor mirrors, rear spoiler, aggressive exhaust outlets as well as lower bumper, wheel arches and door trim in contrasting paints.

Hyundai reduced the weight of the new models when compared with previous generations. The Santa Fe Sport 2.4L FWD weighs 266 lbs. less than the 2012 Santa Fe four-cylinder model.  The Santa Fe Sport 2.0T is 300 lbs. less than the 2012 Santa Fe V-6 FWD.[PAGEBREAK]

Interior

The Santa Fe Sport features two rows of seats inside and the Santa Fe comes with three rows of seats. Hyundai said the long wheelbase for both models allows for added comfort, for example more second row legroom. The Santa Fe (LWB) features cargo volume of 41 cu ft.

Both Santa Fe models feature a range of standard storage features, including an overhead console sunglass holder, two front and two rear seat cupholders, door bottle holders, an enlarged central storage console, a front storage bin, front seat- back pockets and under-floor cargo storage.

The vehicles provide dual-zone climate controls that incorporate an automatic defogging system, which detects humidity levels using a sensor and removes it from the windshield. Another premium feature is a CleanAir Ionizer that automatically cleans the air when the heater or air conditioner is running.

A multifunction eight-inch touch-screen display with navigation is an option on each Santa Fe model. The system features a simpler interface, according to Hyundai, and improved voice recognition technology. The automaker integrated HD Radio technology into the displays in the Santa Fe.

Each model features four audio system choices, though an AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six-speakers and iPod/USB/auxiliary input jacks is standard. The upgraded audio system provides a 4.3-inch full color LCD screen with HD Radio and rear-view camera. The next system upgrade offers a Gen 3.0 navigation unit with an improved sound system, and the premium level features a navigation system and an Infinity 550-watt, Logic 7 audio system with 12 speakers, among other features.

A Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition, address book download and audio streaming is also standard. Both navigation systems integrate rear-view camera output. Hyundai Blue Link telematics is standard on all Santa Fe models with up to a one-year complimentary trial period.

Safety

The 2013 Santa Fe models feature a wide range of safety features, including Hyundai’s Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC), a standard Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system (which includes Electronic Stability Control, ESC, and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering, MDPS), seven airbags, and rollover sensors for the side curtain airbags.

For braking, the Santa Fe gives ABS, Brake Assist (which provides extra braking force when needed), and Electronic Brake Force Distribution, which adjusts braking force to front and rear axles based on the vehicle’s load.

Inside, the Santa Fe models feature a Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for children’s seats and three-point seatbelts.