Hyundai Goes Fluid With 2013 Santa Fe

Hyundai Motor Co.'s redesigned Santa Fe crossover vehicle features a large hexagonal grille and "fluidic" sculpted body panels intended to create a sense of constant motion.

Hyundai says the lines of the third-generation model, unveiled last week at the New York auto show, were inspired by "dynamic images" of stormy weather. Five- and seven-passenger versions have different exterior sculpting aft of the front doors.

The 2013-model crossovers are as much as 300 lb lighter than the models they replace. Hyundai boasts that its base model also is 539 lbs lighter than the Ford Edge crossover.

The three-row Santa Fe rides on a 110.2-inch wheelbase and is 193.1 inches long. The two-row Santa Fe Sport, which sits on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, is 8.5 inches shorter. Hyundai says the larger model offers nearly 39 cu ft of additional passenger space.

Sport buyers can choose between two four-cylinder engines. The naturally aspirated, 2.4-liter, gasoline direct-injection powerplant makes about 190 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. The twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0-liter GDI engine produces about 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. The 2.4-liter engine has a fuel economy rating of 23 mpg city/33 mph highway. The turbo 2.0-liter is rated at 23 city/33 highway.

The larger Santa Fe is powered by the same 3.3-liter V-6 gasoline engine found in the company's Azera large sedan. In the Santa Fe, the 290-hp powerplant has a fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway.

All three engines channel their output through Hyundai's six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional for each powertrain. All models are equipped with downhill brake control and uphill start assist.

The three Santa Fe variants all use MacPherson struts in front and an independent multi-link rear suspension. The standard and turbo Sport models are equipped with 17-inch and 19-inch wheels, respectively. The long-wheelbase model offers 18- or 19-inch wheels.