We got our hands on a Hyundai Santa Fe for the weekend and figured there was no better way to test out this sporty compact SUV than on a mini road trip (thanks for the loaner, OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary). We packed up the car, loaded the bike rack with two bikes, and off we went to Harrison for the annual Agassiz Farms Cycle Tour.
Having driven many Hyundai vehicles over the last decade (a result of countless business trips on the road with rental cars), one thing hard to miss is the constant improvement of the Korean brand’s build qualities. These guys have caught up and surpassed their peers in many ways. When you get into the Santa Fe Sport, you’ll notice the subtle flair of luxury, the use of quality materials, and a well-designed cockpit with everything you need at your fingertips. As with most modern cars, it does take a minute to figure out all the functions, but the 8” touchscreen makes navigation and entertainment a breeze. Our test model came equipped with the multiview camera. The birdseye view is clearly displayed on the screen and makes curb rash and bumper scrapes a thing of the past.
What we also really liked was the availability of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, since one of us uses an iPhone and the other uses a Samsung. Navigation systems can vary in sophistication and functionality, but in our opinion, Google Maps is the best. Having that integration with your car’s infotainment should be – will be – the future standard.
Do not let the ‘compact SUV’ moniker fool you – the Santa Fe Sport is versatile and spacious. With the seats up, there is 1003L of cargo space. Seats down, it doubles to 2025L. The panoramic sunroof also adds to the perception of space and what you get is an airy interior cabin. The 12-way power leather front seats are supportive, and the cool ventilating function was welcomed on a blistering hot summer day. We also appreciated all the safety extras – active blind spot detection, lane departure warning system, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. We were able to test these on Highway 1 and can confidently say that these options are must-haves for those who commute long distances on the regular.
The 248-hp 2.0 turbo engine is brisk, and the 3500-lb towing capacity is plenty. The ride is on the firmer side, and the active cornering AWD provides all-weather grip and year-round practicality. Throw on some good winter tires and the Coquihalla in February can be a mellow Sunday drive.
The 2018 Santa Fe Sport is a great vehicle for people leading an active lifestyle, whether single or a family of four. If you’re in the market for a compact SUV with all the bells and whistles, add this vehicle to your list to consider. They are currently offering some nice incentives at OpenRoad Hyundai Boundary to clear out 2018 models – you should be able to find one of these fully loaded fun mobiles for a very reasonable price.
Read more about our weekend at Agassiz Farms Cycle Tour.
*Note: We were provided use of this vehicle for the purpose of testing and reviewing it. All opinions expressed are 100% our own.
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