Hyundai gets to celebrate another victory as its 2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport models win the 2017 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award for their respective categories; both models receiving the award for the midsize crossover SUV class. Consumer Guide Automotive has been a respected independent vehicle review authority for 50 years now, and these reviews are truly unbiased. So, when a vehicle lands one of these awards, you know the vehicle truly deserves it.
The Best Buy Award trophy was presented at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show by the publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive, Tom Appel. Let’s take a closer look at this distinction.
About the Award
In order for the Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport to receive this award, the editors of Consumer Guide Automotive first had to evaluate more than 150 vehicles based on the most recent popular automotive attributes and trends. Then, they select the best model in every consumer segment. Qualities that the editors consider include aspects like price, features, performance, fuel economy, resale value, reliability, and accommodations. Apart from analyzing the qualities these vehicles possess, the editors also test drove all the vehicles through various driving conditions.
At the end of it all, the 2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport came out on top.
Winning Qualities of the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport
Tom Appel had this to say about Hyundai’s models: “Both Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport deliver a quiet, comfortable, refined cabin, and the all-around versatility that crossover buyers need.” He went on, “This happens at prices that are just a little lower than you might expect.
What helps provide that all-around versatile ride that the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport provide? Well, having three engines is a good way to start. The 2017 Santa Fe is powered by a single engine – that engine being a 3.3-liter Lambda V6 engine with 290 horsepower, returning up to 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway, while still providing seating for up to seven.
The Santa Fe Sport gets two engine options: a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder direct-injected engine that puts out 185 horsepower, and an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 240 horsepower. Respectively, fuel-efficiency comes in at 21 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway. Since it’s smaller, the Santa Fe Sport only offers seating for up to five passengers. For someone who’s looking for fuel-efficiency compared to passenger space (the Santa Fe), they’ll appreciate it.
Additionally, you can either choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, making its performance that much more versatile.
An 8-inch touchscreen navigation system with Android Auto can be coupled to the Infinity Premium Audio with Quantum Logic Surround and Clari-Fi music restoration technology. Audiophiles everywhere will rejoice. A heated steering wheel and heated seats (in the front and rear), a 115-volt power outlet, multi-view camera system, panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, 3rd-row USB outlet, and a hands-free smart liftgate are only a few of the additional features offered on the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport. Many of the features are meant to make your life on the road more comfortable and convenient, but you can also feel safe and secure thanks to a plethora of basic and advanced safety features.
Obviously the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport deserve the Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award for 2017.
