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.

In the United States, the Santa Fe was offered in base GL trim, mid-line GLS, and luxurious LX.

2001

In its first year in production, the Santa Fe was offered with one of two engine and transmission combinations. A fuel-efficient although underpowered 2.4-liter four cylinder engine was standard equipment and could be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. A 2.7-liter Delta V6 offered more power than the four-cylinder but was only available with the automatic. Front wheel drive was standard (with traction control optional with the V6) and 4WD was optional. A 2.0 liter Common Rail Turbo Diesel (CRTD) was offered outside the United States.

2002

The Santa Fe entered its second year without any changes. Demand for the Santa Fe continued to be up with the best but owners were making lists about what they'd like to see changed in the Santa Fe. And Hyundai listened.

2002.5

In an rare mid-year model change, Hyundai increased the size of the fuel tank from 17 to 19 U.S. gallons and reorganized the location of the badges on the tailgate.

2003

Santa Fe owners still found their vehicles lacking in some areas and for 2003, Hyundai reorganized the lineup. Owners disliked the fact that the hood used a prop and not gas struts, that a sunroof was not available, the glovebox was not illuminated, among other things. All of these issues were addressed including the most common complaint of all: not enough power. So, Hyundai introduced the 3.5 liter V6 in addition to the other two gas engines in North America. The brawny 3.5 liter pushed out 200 horsepower through a 5-speed automatic transmission. The bigger engine also came with an intelligent four-wheel drive system. The clock was moved from the roof to the dashboard and the controls below the air vents on the center stack were redesigned. A Monsoon high-performance sound system came standard on the mid-level GLS model and came with a 6-disc CD changer on the top-tier LX. Rounding out the changes in the 2003 model was the discontinuation of the highly unpopular Pine Green which in some owner circles has gained the nickname 'Yucky Green'.