2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Trim Overview

Need a practical and inexpensive, if not especially stylish, people-hauler? Check out the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS. As the entry-level trim of the lineup, this 4-door 5-passenger compact crossover ute nevertheless sports over 78 cubic feet of cargo room behind the front row, accessible via split-folding rear seatbacks. It also carries 17-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, cloth upholstery and full power accessories, including heated outside mirrors. Not bad for its paltry base price. But there’s more, including standard cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering, not to mention simulated wood cabin accents and, of course, manually operated air conditioning. Entertainment, meantime, is presented via a 120-watt system boasting an MP3-capable single-CD changer, 6 speakers, a USB port and satellite radio, and all of this is further bolstered by Bluetooth hands-free communications.

Options aboard this base trim include remote engine start, carpeted floor mats, a number of added cargo management tools, various exterior upgrades, roof side rails and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with built-in remote garage door opener.

A variable-valve-timed 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine powers the front-wheel-drive-only 2012 Santa Fe GLS, while its accompanying 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission manages 175 hp and 169 lb-ft of torque. For this year, the 6-speed features standard descent control and allows mileage estimates of 20 mpg city/28 highway.

Safety-wise, this base trim sports 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and active front headrests. A remote antitheft alarm also comes standard with this pint-size ute.