2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

New for 2015

Changes for 2015 are limited to steering and suspension tuning.

Everything and More

A good family car has to deliver maximum space for minimum money. Families need one vehicle that can do it all, providing plenty of room for kids and their accouterments, and that is as comfortable on long road trips as it is on short school runs. The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe meets those qualifications. With seating for up to seven, a fuel-efficient powertrain, and typical Hyundai value, this crossover ticks all of the boxes.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe is actually the larger of two models in the Santa Fe family. While the smaller Santa Fe Sport makes due with only four-cylinder power, this model gets something a little extra for a more upscale experience.

Befitting its prodigious status, the sole engine option for the larger Santa Fe is an upsized 3.3-liter V6, with 290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual shifting, and buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

 

The V6 achieves EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway)* with front-wheel drive, and 20 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway)* with all-wheel drive.

Not only does the V6 provide plenty of grunt to help the Santa Fe get out of its own way, it also allows this midsize crossover to tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Features and Trims

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe is a five-door crossover SUV with seating for six or seven. Hyundai also offers the five-seat Santa Fe Sport for buyers looking for a slightly smaller vehicle Pricing starts at $30,150.**

Befitting Hyundai’s reputation for value, the base Santa Fe GLS comes well equipped with features like projector headlights with LED accents, fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, four cupholders, cloth seats with YES Essentials stain-resistant fabric, an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, 40/20/40 split-folding second row seats, and 50/50 split-folding rear seats.

 

The GLS can be further upgraded with a Premium Package, which includes 19-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, exterior mirrors with turn signal indicators, pushbutton start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power liftgate.

Buyers who specify the Premium Package can also upgrade to the Ultimate Package, which adds a panoramic sunroof, navigation system with eight-inch touchscreen, Dimension premium audio system, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats with a memory system for the driver.

The top Santa Fe model is the Limited, which includes as standard equipment and electroluminescent gauge cluster, leather seats, second row captain’s chairs in place of the GLS’ bench seat, and a compass.

 

The Limited is also available with an Ultimate Package of its own, adding HID headlights, LED taillights, 12-speaker Infinity Logic 7 audio system, and several features from the GLS Ultimate, including navigation, panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel and rear seats, ventilated front seats, and driver’s seat memory system.

Exterior/Interior

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe features sophisticated exterior styling that conveys an upscale appearance beyond its mainstream pricetag. Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language features streamlined surfaces that defy the tradition of SUV boxiness, and a bold grille for added street presence.

The interior is both stylish and functional, with standard seating for seven consisting of a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench, and a 50/50 split-folding third-row bench. A 60/40 folding second-row bench or second-row captain’s chairs (which sacrifices one seating position) are also available as options.

Those seats come covered in standard cloth with YES Essentials stain-resistant technology, or optional leather. The multi-function steering wheel and the shifter for the automatic transmission can also be covered in leather, which looks pretty good with the optional electroluminescent gauge cluster display.

Total passenger volume is 146.6 cubic feet, while cargo volume with all seats up is 13.5 cubic feet. Fold the second and third rows, and you get a fairly cavernous 80 cubic feet.

 

On the technology front, the Santa Fe also comes with standard Bluetooth and a 4.3-inch central display, which can be upgraded to an 8.0-inch unit with the optional navigation system.

Safety

Standard safety equipment on the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and seven airbags. Optional equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and a rear parking assist system.

Bottom Line

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe is a competent family-hauling crossover with typical Hyundai value.

For more information, to to schedule a test drive, contact or visit us at MotorWorld | MileOne Autogroup today.

*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary depending on driving habits and conditions.

**Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the vehicle and options chosen by you. These prices do not include transportation, taxes, title, other options, dealer installation costs, or other dealer charges. 

Image: Hyundai