2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport review

The stylish, midsized Santa Fe Sport SUV was redesigned and notably upgraded for 2013, and there's much to recommend here, including its fuel efficiency, composed ride, spacious cabin, and impressive array of features for the money. But a few shortcomings, notably vague steering and limited visibility, keep it midpack in our Ratings. And opting for a backup camera means you must buy thousands of dollars' worth of extras such as leather seats and a sunroof.

The Sport version, tested here, is the two-row edition of the Santa Fe. The longer three-row Santa Fe drops the "Sport" from the name and adds a standard V6.

The Santa Fe Sport rides well, but uneven stretches of pavement can provoke some rocking. The cabin is mostly quiet with only low levels of road hiss and engine hum, though there's pronounced wind rush at highway speeds.

Handling is sound but mundane. The steering is responsive but has a dead spot that robs on-center feel, requiring constant corrections even when simply tracking in a straight line. Body lean is kept in check.

At its cornering limits at our track, the Santa Fe Sport proved secure, but its ESC system kicked in too abruptly. It threaded our avoidance maneuver at an acceptable speed and with reasonable confidence.

Most drivers will be happy with performance from the 190-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and we recorded an impressive 23 mpg overall. Shifts from the six-speed automatic are smooth and responsive. Drivers who want more power can opt for the 264-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but it's not as smooth or refined.

The cabin is well assembled and nicely detailed. Panels have attractive contrasting graining, and the seats are well tailored.

Though the driving position is roomy, the narrow dead pedal is too far to the right, and the tilt and telescopic steering wheel should extend a bit further. The cloth front seats are comfortable, with optional full-power adjustments, including lumbar control. The optional leather seats provide a bit more support. The rear seats are well shaped and offer good support, with plenty of room for two adults but just adequate for three.

Controls are straightforward, unless you choose the complex navigation system, which deletes the radio's dedicated tuning knob. Bluetooth pairing is fast and painless. Also standard is a trial subscription to Hyundai's Blue Link, a pay service that uses your smart phone to drive apps for traffic, gas prices, and emergency notification on the phone and within the car. It can also let parents know whether teenage drivers are driving too fast or too far away.

The generous cargo area can fit four large suitcases and a duffel when the rear seats are upright. The 40/20/40-split seatback configuration adds versatility for people and cargo-carrying choices.

We don't yet have reliability data for the redesigned Santa Fe Sport.