2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited Review by Mark Fulmer

By Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel

One year after its redesign, this midsized SUV has simplified its trims and added some cool tech and outstanding safety features. After all it's been a sweet driving vehicle throughout its 19 year lifespan. The Limited replaces the former top of the line Ultimate trim and like the other trims comes with standard front wheel drive, but if you need enhanced traction there is the HTRAC all wheel drive option which controls engine power, torque and braking at each wheel.

Power.The 2.0L Inline 4-cylinder Turbo powers this 3,900-pound vehicle with the authority of 225 horses creating 269 lb.-ft. of torque. That power is transferred to its 8-speed automatic transmission in one of three driver selectable Drive Modes (Normal, Sport and Smart). When you stop at an intersection signal light, you may think it has stalled but it's just the Santa Fe's run/stop feature, which re-engages so smoothly you won't even get that Jurassic Park vibration ripple across the surface of the coffee in your cupholder. With an 18.8-gallon fuel tank you can cruise for 500 miles between pit stops.

The ride. With MacPherson struts and gas-filled dampers front and a Multi-link w/gas-filled dampers rear, the rough spots are buffered, and at the same time the 19-inch alloy wheels with all-weather tires grip the road nicely. A cool addition for the driver is a seat extender that supports the thighs of we longer-limbed folks. Adding to that comfort is a Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control that comes complete with an ionizer which can cleanse the cabin air of particulants like dust, pet dander, and smoke.

Interior. The passengers complimented the front and second row seat as quite comfortable with additional praise for both of the front seats having 8-way power adjusters, and the rear seats having heaters (or what my girls call "bun warmers"). Both front and second row seating is generous and comfortable. Seating is leather trimmed with front seats heated and ventilated with rear seats heated as well as having a recline feature. Up front the driver and passenger seats are 8-way power adjustable. Plenty of room is available for cargo: 35.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 71.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, and a large under cargo floor hiding place as well.

Tech. Kudos abound for the customizable full-color Heads-Up Display with 8.5-inch image projection on the windshield. Add to that an 8-inch Centerstack Touchscreen as well as a 7-inch TFT LCD info display, and my favorite parking tech, a birds-eye Surround-View Camera System. Audio comes at you courtesy of a killer Infinity 630-watt, 12-speaker audio system and absolutely delicious QuantumLogic Surround Sound Technology.

Safety. The Santa Fe Limited is loaded to the gills with safety features, so it is not surprising that it's named by IIHS a 2020 Top Safety Pick+, their highest rating for safety. Blind View Monitor for side views when the turn signals are activated are new. Safe Exit Assist, Ultrasonic Rear Occupant Alert, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist w/Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance, just to name a few. Lane Keeping Assist and adaptive cruise control can turn that long freeway trip into a much safer and more comfortable experience.

To top it off, Hyundai still offers the best warranty in the segment: A 5-Year/60,000-Mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, a 10-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty and 5-Year/ Unlimited Miles 24-hour Roadside Assistance.