2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

In the seven-passenger crossover segment, there are several models from brands that are acknowledged, and the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has a number of strengths that make it worth serious consideration.

Among Santa Fe's key advantages is its value for money. All desirable features like alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and headlamps, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and satellite radio are all standard. The 3.3-liter V6 powertrain gets a minor tweaking, helping it gain roughly a 1 mpg advantage this year. 

Buyers looking for the latest tech and safety features will be delighted. Hyundai has added blind-spot warning with rear traffic alert and lane change assist as standard on upper trim levels, while adaptive cruise control with automatic braking, lane departure warning, and a 360-degree camera system are all available as options.

On the downside, Santa Fe has a smaller third-row seat and less cargo capacity relative to some competitors. Other top seven passenger crossover alternatives include the Honda Pilot, Dodge Durango, and GMC Acadia. Going by the review, we think the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe still has much to recommend it.

Hyundai offers the 2017 Santa Fe in SE and SE Ultimate trims (seven-seat layout), as well as Limited and Limited Ultimate trims (six-seat layout). The price for the base Santa Fe SE starts from $30,800 and the Santa Fe Limited costs $34,950 MSRP. The Santa Fe SE is equipped standard with a 5-inch touch screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a USB port, satellite radio, keyless entry, and alloy wheels. The Popular Equipment package is also standard which adds a larger touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and fog lights.

A V6 engine is the only option across the lineup. The next-in-line Santa Fe Limited adds second-row captain’s chairs and the Premium package. Both Ultimate trims get additional Popular, Premium, and Tech packages as standard.

The Premium package adds blind-spot monitoring, a hands-free tailgate, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. The Tech package adds a navigation system, a 360-degree-view camera, parking sensors, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

We Recommend

We recommend you the 2017 Santa FE SE, which is the base model of the three-row crossover. Starting just above $30,000, the SE trim has all the desired features and technology for the price, making it the most value trim. Since the V6 engine is the only option, you can choose between FWD or AWD drivetrain depending on your use. Hyundai has also made more safety features available across the lineup.

 "This sense of refinement carries over to the six-speed automatic transmission, which provides smooth shifts under a wide variety of conditions."-Edmunds

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a 3.3-liter V6 engine rated at 290 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. It is paired exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission and all trim levels can be had with a choice of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.

The Santa Fe's V6 delivers quick acceleration in the city and more confident cruising power on the highway. The Hyundai Santa Fe has reined driving dynamics.

Santa Fe's V6 generates 252 lb-ft which is decent but slightly lower than most competitors. Honda's V6 has less horsepower but offers greater torque ratings.

2017 Santa Fe Acceleration 

An AWD Santa Fe Limited Ultimate goes from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is an average for this class. Properly equipped, the Santa Fe can tow up to 5,000 pounds. By comparison, the Honda Pilot LX takes just 6.1 seconds in the 0-60 acceleration test.

The quarter-mile test results are impressive for the 2017 Santa Fe, as the three-row SUV is rated at 15.2 seconds quarter-mile timings. The Honda Pilot LX and GMC Acadia Denali still outshine the 2017 Santa Fe in the quarter-mile test. The Hyundai Santa Fe offers a decent acceleration performance but Honda Pilot is offering better acceleration at the same price.

2017 Santa Fe Ride and Handling 

The Hyundai Santa Fe features a dynamic driving experience with its decent V6 engine The swift acceleration and smooth transmission along with calm interiors make the driving experience pleasant. The interiors are comfortable and good quality plastic and leather materials make a commendable ambiance. The driver seats are adjustable and comfortable in the standard trim but the upper trims are featuring more comfortable options like heated, adjustable front seats and driver memory seats.

The comfort quotient is up to the mark for a mid-range SUV. Santa Fe's offroad capabilities are a bit better than others in the segment; the Fe CSUV handles moderately rugged roads marginally better than rivals. The handling experience is predictable and precise. The steering offers decent grip and confidence even at high speeds. At last, Hyundai has worked well in the riding segment of the 2017 Santa Fe.

2017 Santa Fe Braking Performance

the Santa Fe offers a bit smaller braking pads of 12.6 and 11.9 inches for the front and rear braking pads respectively. The mid-size SUV is equipped with a powerful and advanced braking system for the segment. 2017 Santa Fe offers automatic emergency braking with lane departure warning and an electronic parking brake feature at additional costs. The SUV takes 125 feet while decelerating from 60 mph to still which is above average for a 4026 Ibs 7-seater SUV.

The competitors including Dodge Durango SXT, Honda Pilot LX, and GMC Acadia Denali slide 124, 128, and 126 feet respectively in the 60-0 deceleration test. Dodge Durango SXT and GMC Acadia Denali are also equipped with powerful braking tech while Honda Pilot LX lags a bit in the segment. At last, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe impresses us in the braking segment as it is equipped with most of the advanced braking features for a >$40k SUV.

The 2017 Santa Fe is mechanically unchanged and its fuel efficiency varies based on the trim level. The Santa Fe SE and Limited trims with front-wheel-drive get EPA estimated 18/25 mpg city/highway and 18/24 mpg with all-wheel drive. With the Ultimate package, the Santa Fe models are slightly heavier and the gas mileage drops down to 17/23 mpg with front-wheel drive and 17/22 mpg with all-wheel drive.

For a seven-seater SUV, the Santa Fe offers a decent fuel economy number but some of the rivals offer better mileage. The closest rival, Honda Pilot,'s V6 is rated at 19/27 mpg which is higher than the Santa Fe.

"Its infotainment system, on the other hand, proved to be one of the best ones available and is user-friendly"-MotorTrend

The interior of Santa Fe is further refined from the previous generations. Inside, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a combination of upscale materials, ergonomics and attractive design, intuitive layout of controls, making it one of the most comfortable and easy to live with three-row SUVs in the segment. The Limited models adorn a redesigned center stack joined by a new matte-finish wood-like trim.

The Santa Fe SE and Limited are three-row SUVs, with SE able to accommodate 7 while Limited models have second-row captain's chair and seating for six. The first and second row has generous headroom and legroom with comfortable seats. The third row is best reserved for kids, as it is short on legroom. The crossover SUV has standard cloth upholstery, though you can opt for heated, ventilated, and leather seats. The main highlights of the interiors include Spacious and foldable second-row seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat along with a tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

By comparison, the Santa Fe SUV has bigger dimensions than most others in the segment. Though Honda Pilot is a popular choice and also got a refresh, making it a competitive all-round choice. Though the third-row seats aren't spacious, the interiors are good enough for the segment. Like many mid-cycle updates, Hyundai has added more available technology in Santa Fe.

2017 Santa Fe Infotainment System

The 2017 Santa Fe comes standard with a 5-inch touch screen, a rearview camera, satellite radio, a USB port, and Bluetooth. Hyundai added a seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto compatibility, in the 2017 options list. Available infotainment features include a navigation system, a 7- or 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Blue Link telematics.

Hyundai’s touch-screen infotainment system has proved to be one of the best available and is user-friendly. The intuitive layout of controls including both physical buttons and touchscreen is easy to use. 

2017 Santa Fe Cargo Capacity

There are 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of the Hyundai Santa Fe. With the second row folded, there are 40.9 cubic feet of cargo space. With both the second-and third-row folded down, there are 80 cubic feet of space available. 

Getting that cargo in and out is a simple matter with the available "smart" hands-free rear liftgate. The liftover height is reasonable enough to not strain your back while loading/unloading heavy items. At last, Hyundai Santa Fe is offering decent specs in the cargo segment but Honda Pilot offers more cargo capacity.

" the new Santa Fe has more to say about handsome, contemporary styling than it does about swooping lines that characterize the shapes of Hyundai passenger cars"- KBB

2017 Santa Fe Dimensions and Weight

Refreshed for 2017, the Hyundai Santa Fe receives a revised front and rear fascia, headlights, trim panels, and taillights. Santa Fe has matured in terms of design language, something closer to the all-new Tucson. At the front, the car has a right-sized hexagonal grille while the side sills stand out in relief up and over the rear wheel wells. 

The 2017 Santa Fe feature 18-inch alloy wheels, large aggressive LED headlights along Daytime Running Led lights, large bonnet grills, and sporty exterior stylings. The Ultimate Package adds a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch wheels, HID headlights, and a hands-free power liftgate.

In terms of size, Santa Fe has an average wheelbase size, however, the Pilot and Durango boast longer wheelbase translating into better interior space. The dimensions of the 2017 Santa Fe measure 193.1 inches long and 74.2 inches wide. The ground clearance is average but Santa Fe is more comfort-oriented than any off-road driving. Curb weight ranges from 3,624 to 4,198 pounds, depending on the body style and drivetrain.

The IIHS named the three-row Santa Fe a 2017 Top Safety Pick+. The car received the second-lowest rating of Acceptable in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test, but it earned the highest score of Good in all other areas tested. The NHTSA gave the two-row Santa Fe Sport a perfect five-star rating but did not test the 3-row Santa Fe.

All 2017 Santa Fe trims come with a rearview camera. Available features include parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree-view camera. When equipped with the Ultimate package, Santa Fe gets additional safety equipment including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

Safety Features 

• 7-airbag safety system with driver knee airbag
• Vehicle Stability Management System
• Driver blind spot mirror
• LED headlight accents
• Daytime Running Lights
• Rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light
• Automatic on/off headlights
• Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel with audio/phone/cruise controls
• YES Essentials® stain-resistant cloth seats
• 40/20/40 split fold-down 2nd row seats with 60/40 recline function

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Dodge Durango

Though the Dodge Durango SXT is equipped with a bigger 3.5L V6 engine with slightly higher power and torque counts, Hyundai Santa Fe offers better acceleration performance. Santa Fe excels in segments including interiors, infotainment, and Features. On the other hand, Dodge Durango SXT excels in braking, cargo capacity, and ground clearance.

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vs Honda Pilot

Honda Pilot LX gives head-to-head competition to 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe in the SUV segment. Honda Pilot LX features slightly better power and torque counts along with better acceleration when compared with the 2017 Santa Fe. Honda Pilot LX excels in segments like seating capacity, cargo, fuel efficiency. On the other hand, 2017 Santa Fe outshines the Pilot LX in braking, interiors, infotainment system, and safety features.

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vs GMC Acadia Denali

GMC Acadia Denali features a better engine along with powerful acceleration counts when compared with the 2017 Santa Fe. GMC Acadia Denali excels in segments including ground clearance, infotainment, and interiors. On the other hand, $17k cheaper Santa Fe SE features better cargo capacity, braking, and passenger capacity.

Hyundai Santa Fe is already popular SUV in the US market. The latest 2017 trim features sportier looks and well-equipped features in the segment. The main highlights of the 2017 Santa Fe include a powerful V6 engine, decent acceleration, good cargo capacity, and well-crafted interiors in the segment. While the downsides of the Santa Fe include low space for the third row and highly priced upper trims. The Santa Fe 2017 is a well-equipped competitive mid-SUV in the segment.

More from Hyundai:

• 2022 Hyundai Tucson has been completely redesigned, Check out the changes.
• Looking for a subcompact crossover, Hyundai has a perfect package in form of the 2021 Venue 
• 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Preview: Specs, Price, Release Date, and Pictures