2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD 2.0T

Source: Victoria Mason

Some rides are worth getting excited for.  The 2015 Santa Fe Sport with AWD from Hyundai is one of those vehicles.  Right away I was drawn to the Canyon Copper color that sparkled in the sun while the dual panel sun roof beckoned me to take a ride and enjoy a day where we finally had blue skies.

Source: Hyundaiusa.com

Style-wise the Santa Fe Sport is ready for its close-up.  I reviewed this car in the past (non-Sport model) and liked it and it has only improved over time.  That’s what Hyundai is all about these days.  They made a crossover vehicle that performs well, is a pleasure to drive and has a dose of fun included in the Sport model.  The interior is roomy without taking up too much space and really comfortable and well-appointed.

Inside the Santa Fe everything is within easy reach.  The 4.3 inch Touchscreen Color Audio Display is positioned so that my eyes never stray far from the road.  Everything on the steering wheel, console and dashboard are this way and it makes driving seamless.  I synced my phone up through the blueLink application in minutes and had no issues whatsoever, which was a relief as I had to use it to call Washington Gas as soon as I hooked it up.  I noticed the smell of gas surrounding the exterior of my house as I was leaving to visit my daughter at school.  The problem was solved with little drama and the Santa Fe was part of that ease.  This feature also starts the car remotely through an app on your phone.  Something I’m jealous of each cold morning when my husband simply starts and heats his car from our kitchen.  My 2005 Pathfinder cannot do that.

The second row has a 40/20/40 split seats with a 60/40 slide and recline function.  I used this a few times and loved it.  While I miss and need a third row with my three kids and our active lifestyle the comfort and roominess of the Santa Fe, with its HD, Sirius XM radio, hands-free Smart Liftgate and ports to plug-in electronics in the front seats and second row, we couldn’t complain. I could always upgrade to a regular Santa Fe instead of the Sport and get a third row. The Sport is attractive with a dash of feminine styling that is pleasing to the eye.  While driving it I received many compliments on the interior and exterior alike.

As for the drive, its pure pleasure. Hyundai has managed to do something with the Santa Fe that many crossovers lack.  It’s a combination of exceptional handling and acceleration (264 horsepower with 2.o Turbo GDI 4-cylinder engine) mixed with a fairly decent fuel economy (18 city/24 highway/21 mpg combined) that puts it above other vehicles in its class.  I loved getting behind the wheel each day and feeling the 19-inch Alloy wheels grip the road.

The steering was smooth (revised system went in this year) and just tight enough to feel secure without making it tough to maneuver.  When I had to slam on my breaks during my commute the Santa Fe reacted fast but without that jerk forward so many other cars possess.  This is a Hyundai attribute.  Our Sonata behaves the same way and so does the Genesis I drove in the past.  It creates a great ride with a feeling of security too.  My heart beats a little stronger when you add rear cross-traffic monitoring and blind-side detection into a vehicle as a standard feature.  The driver’s blind-spot mirror is new for 2015. It is accompanied by a few other changes to the model like the liftgate option.

The 2015 Santa Fe Sport with AWD is both stylish and affordable.  Hyundai has packed this crossover full of added features that provide entertainment, safety and a nice driving experience. MSRP is $24,950 which really cannot be beat.  My test model came fully loaded and priced at $38,350.