Hyundai Santa Fe

Introduced in 2001, the Santa Fe was Hyundai's first foray into the SUV market.  Based on the Sonata platform, the Hyundai Santa Fe falls somewhere between a compact and midsize crossover SUV and competes with the RAV4 and CR-V.  The Santa Fe's initial selling point was its less expensive price tag and long-term warranty, and these, combined with solid handling, helped make the 5-seater SUV a popular success.

The first generation of the Santa Fe offered three trims, from base to luxury, and either a four or six-cylinder engine.  Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive were offered, though the latter lacked low range gearing and was not a true off-roader.  The SUV's somewhat underpowered performance was offset by its roomy interior and high crash ratings.  Eventually the base model was dropped as was the four-cylinder engine, and a new V6 was added.  A complete revamp for 2007 renamed some of the trims, added new engines, and upgraded the Santa Fe to clear the entry-level segment for the upcoming Tuscon.  

Distinguishable by its oversized bumpers, the Santa Fe continues to be a top seller for Hyundai in the United States, especially as its powertrain, car-like handling, and list of standard features have improved over the years.