2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Expert Review

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is now available with the hands-free power liftgate.

Vehicle Summary

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is a large three-row crossover that's available in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations and seating for up to seven passengers. A smaller, five-passenger version called the Santa Fe Sport is also available.

Overview

A 290-hp 3.3-liter V-6 with 252 lb-ft of torque is the only engine available in the 2016 Santa Fe and it's paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is class competitive at 18/25 mpg city/highway for front-drive models and 18/24 mpg with all-wheel drive. There's 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 40.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 80 cubic feet behind the front seats.

Safety

In addition to the standard dual front, side-front, and side curtain airbags, the 2016 Santa Fe also comes with a knee airbag for the driver. Optional on the GLS trim and standard on the Limited are active driver aids including blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change assist.

Trims, Packages, and What's Standard

On the base Santa Fe GLS, standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, driver selectable steering modes, seven-passenger seating configuration, heated front seats, cloth upholstery, 40/20/40 split-folding second row, 50/50 split folding rear seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and a 4.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Navigation with an eight-inch touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, and a Dimension premium audio system are optional in the GLS trim.

Opt for the range-topping Limited trim and you get extra standard features including leather upholstery, second-row captain's chairs, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The Ultimate package adds LED taillights, HID headlights, navigation with an eight-inch touchscreen, rear parking sensors, an Infiniti Logic 7 premium audio system, driver's side seat memory, heated rear seats and ventilated front seats.

What We Think

In a comparison test that also included the Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9 Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Dodge Durango, the Hyundai Santa Fe placed fourth because of its lack of on-road refinement, and an interior that's smaller than its rivals. Additionally, the Santa Fe's third row seating also proved to be one of the worst in segment when it comes to passenger space. In a 2014 First Test review, we noted that the Santa Fe's interior was relatively quiet while the 290-hp 3.3-liter V-6 provided good power, but needs revving to reach the sweet spot of its power band. However, on less-than-perfect road surfaces, the car wasn't as stable while its handling proved lackluster because of excessive body movement. The infotainment system, on the other hand, is user-friendly and intuitive.