New-Car Review: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport


Vehicle Highlights

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: What Is It

Hyundai’s 5-passenger midsize SUV gets a redesign and a longer name. It’s part of the brand’s two-pronged strategy to woo shoppers of either 5- or 7-passenger crossovers. The Santa Fe Sport replaces the old Santa Fe while the new, larger, non-Sport Hyundai Santa Fe will take over for the now discontinued Veracruz. Though both the Sport and extended models share the same basic design, the two models differ in more than just maximum passenger capacity. The Sport comes only with a 4-cylinder engine and is not offered with some of the larger model’s safety and convenience features.

The Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport are built alongside each other in the USA. We classify the Sport’s primary rivals as the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, and Nissan Murano.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: What’s New

New name, new styling, new engines. There isn’t much Hyundai didn’t change on the Santa Fe Sport, despite the fact that the redesigned model is about the same size all around as the outgoing version. While previous Santa Fe models offered the choice of a 4-cylinder or V6 engine, the Sport only offers the former, albeit with the choice of naturally aspirated or turbocharged power.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Model Lineup, Features, and Options

Hyundai simplifies the Santa Fe Sport’s lineup. While the outgoing vehicle came in GLS, SE, and Limited trim levels, the Sport offers Base and 2.0T variants.

Standard features on all models include a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power windows/locks/mirrors, remote keyless entry, a Bluetooth wireless cell-phone link, and Hyundai’s Blue Link assistance system. The 2.0T adds heated exterior mirrors, keyless entry/engine start, heated front seats, and a power driver seat.

Many of the 2.0T’s standard features are optional as part of the Popular Equipment Package on the Base. Leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control are optional on the 2.0T. A navigation system, sliding 2nd-row seat, panoramic sunroof, and heated steering wheel are included on a Technology Package that’s available on both models.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Engines, Transmissions, and Drive Wheels

Both the Base and 2.0T are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. As previously mentioned, both versions come with a 4-cylinder engine. Displacements and estimated horsepower for the Base and 2.0T are as follows: 2.4 liters and 190 horsepower and 2.0 liters and 264 horsepower, respectively. A 6-speed automatic is the sole transmission across the board.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Fuel Economy

EPA estimated fuel economy for the Sport is not available yet. Hyundai predicts Base versions will get 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 20 city/29 highway with AWD. The 2.0T might get 22 city/31 highway with front drive and 20 city/28 highway with AWD.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Safety Features

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport includes a standard complement of expected and federally mandated safety features.

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