2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is Family Savvy

I remember many years ago when this newcomer hit the automotive industry. No one was quite sure how to pronounce the name. Their vehicles were untested and there was no loyal base of followers. Fast forward to 2017 and this manufacturer is a contender in several different vehicle segments including the small SUV category where the Hyundai Santa Fe competes for its fair share of the consumer pie.

The 2001 model year was the first for Hyundai’s Santa Fe SUV named after a city in New Mexico. Just for the sake of comparison, Ford introduced the Escape that year as well.

This was the beginning of something wonderful for an up and coming manufacturer with big plans to take on the world of soccer moms and family travelers. The Hyundai Santa Fe has stood the test of time, improving throughout the years and now steadfastly clasping hold of a marketplace that adores their biggest asset – AMERICA’S BEST WARRANTY!

I spent a week with the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe and while I wish there was a tad more room in the cargo area, that’s about the only fault that I found. And after all, it is in the small SUV category so that’s expected.

Typically, men and women don’t necessarily look for the same features and amenities in a vehicle, but luckily this SUV is a crowd-pleaser! Men will love the sexy exterior with sleek lines, and the get-up-and-go that comes with a 290-hp 3.3-liter V6 engine. Women will love the advanced safety technology (vehicle stability management, airbags, tire pressure monitoring and blind spot warning), the space in the second row (for ease of dealing with car seats and toddlers), the ease of folding back seats and the window screens (a lifesaver for napping babies that are rebelling from the sun shining through the window)! Both men and women will appreciate the panoramic sunroof and user-friendly dashboard gadgets.

As an advocate for safer driving, I encourage folks to use handsfree technology while behind the wheel. I timed myself and WITHOUT opening the user manual, I was able to easily connect my phone to the car via Bluetooth in less than 30 seconds! Folks I am NOT the world’s most tech-savvy person and sometimes I get frustrated with learning another techy thing. This vehicle has easy to manipulate dashboard controls and you’ll find yourself at ease in the driver’s seat very quickly.

Becky’s Favorite Features on the Hyundai Santa Fe

My likes and dislikes will surly be different from yours, but I wanted to share some of the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe’s attributes that got my attention!

First of all, I love the interior design. It’s a fresh use of mixed colors and materials eliminating bland and boring. It creates an inviting space especially for someone like me who spends a lot of time in the car.

I love the captains chairs in the second row. Having a grandchild now reminds me of all the space needed for their “stuff.” With two captains chairs, there is extra room between the seats and the leg room is extra spacious!

The power tailgate is so helpful and easy to operate! I had some surgery on my arm right before my visit with the Santa Fe and I had to limit use of that arm. With that in mind, I came out of the grocery store, hit the remote button and up went the tailgate without my help. And, just inside, the netting was in place across the back of the cargo space to corral my bags of groceries. I had a LOT of groceries and needed more space than just the netting, so I had to fold down a rear seat. I did it one-handed in about three-seconds. I love little efficiencies such as this.

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is such a well-equipped vehicle built with the end user in mind! The base price is just under $40,000 and the fuel economy is 17 in the city and 22 on the highway (combined 20 mpg). Good stuff! But don’t take my word for it! Head to your local dealership and test drive one. There’s no substitute for a personal experience.

Have you ever driven a Hyundai Santa Fe? What do you love about it?

For this review, the manufacturer provided the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, gas and insurance. All opinions are 100% uniquely my own. Photos are courtesy of Hyundai USA except for the grocery picture which is my own.