If you think the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is just another part of the Hyundai Santa Fe family, you’d be right and wrong. This one stands on its own in the small crossover SUV market versus the larger Santa Fe, which carries more passengers and has different personality traits.
A few weeks ago, I reviewed the larger Hyundai Santa Fe, so it’s only fair the Sport Hyundai Santa Fe gets its day in the limelight.
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has been updated for 2017 with some seat tweaks in the front, a larger display screen and additional safety features.
In short, the Sport got a nice facelift going into the new year and Hyundai never scrimps on the stock features either. With the impressive standards you already have going in, you definitely get a lot for your money.
The competition for the Santa Fe Sport includes a long list like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and the Mazda CX-5.
The trim levels on this five seater include base, 2.0T and the 2.0T Ultimate. On the base the standard package has 17-inch alloy wheels, rearview camera, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, rear spoiler, windshield wiper de-icer, telescoping steering wheel and a 40/20/40-split rear seat. For technology, you get Bluetooth connect and a five-inch screen with six speakers and a USB jack.
To add to this list, the Popular Equipment package will give you fog lights, LED daytime running lights, roof rack side rails and a seven-inch touchscreen with the Hyundai Blue Link.
Adding to the Popular Equipment Package, you can also get the Sport Premium package with more goodies like extra safety features, a hands-free power lift gate, leather interior and heated front seats. There is also an auto-dimming rearview mirror and the rear seats slide and recline.
The 2.0T trim has a stronger engine, but also bigger 18-inch wheels combined with the two optional base trim package extras.
If you are eyeing the top of the line 2.0T Ultimate, you get even larger 19-inch alloy wheels as well as xenon headlights, panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel as well as heated second row seats and air-conditioned seats in the front. The extra safety features standard on this trim are the rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system.
The 2.0T Ultimate trim has a package called the Ultimate Tech package that can be added with adaptive headlights with automatic high beam control as well as safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning.
Under the hood, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is a 2,4-liter four-cylinder engine on the base trim with 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. Up the engine power on the 2.0T trim with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that cranks out 240 horsepower with 260 pound feet of torque. All trims come with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive – but this Hyundai can only be had with a six-speed automatic.
Safety is always important to the Hyundai folks and that is no exception on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. You get standard features like antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front seat side and side curtain airbags, rearview camera and the Blue Link system, which is Hyundai’s emergency feature that even allows for emergency assistance and theft recovery.
The safety options depending on the trim are everything from blind spot warning, and in some cases, rear parking sensors to a multi-view camera and forward collision and lane departure warning.
Inside the 2017 Santa Fe Sport, the interior feels good and looks like a higher end version than what a buyer would expect in the smaller crossover SUV market. Even the touchscreen is easy to use and navigate and the knobs and buttons get things done with ease so you can enjoy the ride.
Even the back seat is passenger friendly and the words light and airy have been bandied around by the Hyundai folks to help express the ease of driving and owning a 2017 Hyundai Sport.
The cargo space fits up to 35.4-cubic feet behind the rear seats and when you fold the seats down you get 71-cubic feet for hauling.
Poised to offer an excellent driving experience behind the wheel, the Santa Fe Sport keeps the road feeling safe since handling and firmness in the ride is notable. Also notable, the quiet ride inside.
If you want more power opt for the 2.0T or the ultimate to get the full picture of what this little five seater can do for you. Both on the road short term or for a longer term haul the Hyundai Sport will remind you why Hyundai leads the charge in the world of desirable vehicles.
Should You Need to Know: The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport offers not only impressive safety ratings, but a tempting warranty as well.
Miles Per Gallon: The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport can get anywhere from 19 to 21 miles per gallon in the city and about 26 to 27 miles per gallon on the highway.
Cost: The average price for a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is $29,000.
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