MotorMouths

It’s arguably one of the best vehicles for a small family on sale today. With decent power, efficiency, space, equipment, and a price that won’t break the bank, the Santa Fe Sport is certainly the kind of product that reminds you of just how far Hyundai has come.

The Santa Fe Sport is attractively priced, with a substantial feature-for-feature retail price edge on key competitors, and it will go toe-to-toe with best that Ford, Honda, Toyota or Volkswagen have to offer, regardless of price.

The Santa Fe Sport is an excellently sorted automotive appliance: functional, economical to operate, smooth, quiet and practical. It’s almost never annoying and it’s engaging to drive. The Sport will go toe-to-toe with the best any mainstream manufacturer offers.

Most people who buy crossovers simply want a high-riding, versatile vehicle that’s easy to drive, comfortable, and relatively efficient. The Santa Fe Sport checks all those boxes, and its fuel economy whips that of many compact competitors.

New looks, increased power and improved fuel economy should make the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe stand out in a very competitive class.

We’ll see if the buying public will elevate the Santa Fe to sit alongside the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 as a showroom saint. Based on this brief exposure with the most powerful short-wheelbase model, as well as Hyundai’s recent track record, we wouldn’t bet against it.

In need of a styling update, the Santa Fe gets it and much, much more. While not a stand out in any one area, Hyundai’s real coup is offering a Santa Fe that can be cross-shopped with almost every crossover on the market.

With its combination of space, comfort, fuel efficiency and value, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is a good choice for active singles, young families and empty nesters.

The Hyundai Santa Fe hits the sweet spot in the small crossover category, and will certainly give the competition a run for its money and consumers a great value for theirs.

Hyundai has done a fine job once again with the Santa Fe Sport’s styling and overall value (the brand’s strong suits), but continues to struggle with suspension and steering.

The newer, cleverer 2013 Santa Fe measures up favorably. If it can deliver on its excellent mileage numbers and remain as quiet as it did on the roads of rural Utah, this Santa Fe could compete head on with its foreign and domestic rivals.

Though it’s a little short on style, the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe is a respectable choice for a crossover SUV.