2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

NEW FOR 2015:

- Suspension and steering tweaks for improved on-road performance

- Available hands-free tailgate

- Standard auto up and down front windows

- New colours: Sparkling Silver, Platinum Graphite

The big news for Hyundai’s popular Santa Fe Sport crossover this year is that the brand’s engineers have gone over its steering and suspension systems with a fine-tooth comb to improve its handling and ride. A new 32-bit processor for the electric power steering ups responsiveness and feel, while revised bushings and bearings give the front suspension increased rigidity. Revised rear suspension geometry and bushings have also been fitted, too.

Also new on models with the proximity key is a hands-free power-operated tailgate. As with the Genesis, you simply stand next to the rear bumper for three seconds, and the tailgate will automatically rise – no waving or kicking of feet necessary.

Wedged between the compact Tucson and the jumbo-sized Santa Fe XL, the Santa Fe Sport offers buyers plenty of cabin space, a well-made interior, and plenty of thoughtful standard and available features. Standard reclining second-row seats, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, and available window roller blinds make it kid-friendly, while a standard wiper de-icer, and available heated steering wheel and second-row seats make it winter-friendly.

The Santa Fe Sport’s agile chassis is motivated by a pair of four-cylinder engines. A 2.4-litre naturally aspirated unit generates 190 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, and can be upgraded to a turbocharged 2.0-litre with 264 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Both have gasoline direct injection, and both come with a six-speed automatic.

Trim levels for the Santa Fe Sport are 2.4, 2.4 Premium, 2.4 Luxury, 2.0T Premium, 2.0T SE, and 2.0T Limited. Front-wheel drive is standard on the 2.4, 2.4 Premium, and 2.0T Premium models, with all-wheel drive as an option on 2.4 Premium and 2.0T Premium. All-wheel drive is standard on the remaining trims.

Features on the 2.4 include 17-inch alloy wheels, Driver Selectable Steering, Active Eco system, air conditioning, six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with LCD screen, auxiliary input, USB port, front windshield wiper de-icer, Bluetooth phone connectivity, front centre console with fixed armrest, heated front seats, stain-resistant cloth upholstery, 2nd row 40/20/40 split fold-flat and recline seating, power heated mirrors, power windows with front window auto up /down, roof rails, remote keyless entry with alarm, steering wheel mounted audio and cruise controls, fog lights, chrome exterior door handles, rear spoiler, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, trailer tow wiring, rear privacy glass, and six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar.

2.4 Premium adds automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic temperature control with Clear Air Ionizer, 12-way power driver seat with four-way lumbar, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, rear side window sunshade blinds, and rear parking assist. AWD is available as an option.

2.4 Luxury adds standard all-wheel drive, four-way power passenger seat, 4.3-inch colour touch-screen audio display, rearview camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, garage door opener, proximity key with push-button start, hands-free power tailgate, leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring system, driver’s memory seat, mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, panoramic sunroof, HID headlights, and sliding 2nd row seating.

2.0T Premium adds (to 2.4 Premium) standard all-wheel drive, dual exhaust, proximity key with push-button start, and supervision cluster with TFT LCD screen.

2.0T SE adds 19-inch alloy wheels, 4.3-inch colour touch-screen audio display, rearview camera, deluxe door scuff plates, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, hands-free power tailgate, leather upholstery, mirror-mounted turn signal indicators, panoramic sunroof, and sliding 2nd row seats.

2.0T Limited adds LED tail lights, blind-spot monitoring system, garage door opener, 550-watt 10-speaker Infinity audio system, four-way power passenger seat, HID headlights, navigation with 8.0-inch display, and cooled front seats.