|
|
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe
is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai
Sonata platform. It was introduced for the
2001 model year, around the same time as its
competitor, the Toyota Highlander. The Santa
Fe was Hyundai's first ever entry into the
SUV market and was a major milestone in the
company's restructuring program of the late
1990s. The Santa Fe, despite being criticized
by journalists for its obscure looks, was
a hit with the American buyers. Hyundai dealers
were having a hard time keeping them in stock,
let alone keeping up with demand. The Santa
Fe quickly became Hyundai's best seller and
was a major factor in keeping the company
afloat in the United States.
The next-generation
2007 Santa Fe debuted at the 2006 North American
International Auto Show. The vehicle, now
built at Hyundai's HMMA factory in Alabama
as well as in Korea, will feature three rows
of seats for the first time, with fold-flat
seats in the rear. Contemporary styling in
the vein of the Infiniti FX and Subaru B9
Tribeca disguises the fact that the Santa
Fe is 7 in (178 mm) longer than the old model,
and is wider and taller by 2 in (51 mm).
|
|
|
