2005 Hyundai Santa Fe Driving Impressions
The 3.5-liter V6 comes paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offers lots of throttle response once it's going. It's a little lethargic off the line and the throttle response isn't linear, but the owner should be able to calibrate his or her foot to it. The 3.5-liter engine develops 200 horsepower and 219 pound-feet of torque. Indeed, only the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, which share an optional 200-horsepower 3.0-liter V6, offer similar power in this class. EPA-rated fuel economy drops to 17/23 city/highway mpg. The front-wheel drive 3.5-liter Santa Fe, equipped with trailer brake, is rated to tow up to 3,300 pounds, enough to handle a small boat trailer. With its cast-iron block and multi-valve aluminum cylinder heads, this is the same engine Hyundai installs in its flagship XG350 sedan.
The 2.7-liter V6 produces 170 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Those are good numbers when compared to the V6s offered in other compact SUVs. The 2.7-liter V6 Santa Fe can accelerate more quickly than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which offer four-cylinder engines only. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 19/25 mpg city/highway for a front-wheel-drive 2.7-liter Santa Fe, and 18/23 for a 2.7-liter with four-wheel drive. |