Before the SUV came the wagon. Its basic purpose: to carry more cargo than a sedan while using similar amounts of space and natural resources. The SUV gained popularity in the ’90s because it satisfied a desire for increased room and ruggedness, and offered the all-weather security of four-wheel drive. But as the novelty wore off, drivers missed the maneuverability and efficiency of their cars, and the Crossover Utility Vehicle was born. The idea: combine all-wheel drive and the increased utility of an SUV with the efficiency and maneuverability of a car.
When setting out to design the Santa Fe, we felt that many crossovers had missed the target. Either they felt too cramped and insubstantial or were car-like in the way they were constructed but not in how they handled. So we decided early on that the Hyundai Santa Fe would need to be designed to deliver on the balance of strengths the CUV was meant to deliver.
Not that we can take credit for the idea; the Santa Fe is the result of thousands of conversations with consumers. In fact, it was the first Hyundai vehicle designed in the U.S. specifically for U.S. market. The response the Santa Fe has received from the press and, more important, its owners is proof that the extra effort we made did not go unnoticed. World Hyundai Matteson, your Chicago Chicago Hyundai Dealership, has a great stock of new and pre-driven Hyundai Santa Fe in stock.
The highest compliment you can pay one of our interior designers doesn’t sound like a compliment at all: if they’ve done their job well, it’s what you don’t notice that’s remarkable. When you experience the Hyundai Santa Fe, you’ll appreciate the sound design principles that help you stay focused over the long haul.
Radio and ventilation controls are placed high on the dashboard, the buttons and knobs are generously sized and clearly marked. The gear lever and steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls are laid out so you can operate them by touch alone. Even the cup holders are illuminated in a soft blue glow at night to highlight their location. All of these parts have one goal: to all but eliminate the need to look away from the road to operate the car, making for a more relaxing and less distracted drive.
Our engineers border on obsessive: for ’09 the Santa Fe gets a larger radio display and a new style of sunroof switch, both easier to use than ever before.
The only thing missing? An enormous price tag.
Like every Hyundai, the Santa Fe aims to compete a class above what its size or price might suggest. The result is a crossover that’s in a class of its own.
Notice the standard vents placed just ahead of the rear doors. Most cars don’t include anything other than floor-level vents for the rear passengers, typically found at the rear of the center console. But the Santa Fe’s vents, like those in top-level luxury cars, direct the air where it’s needed rather than at the center passenger’s legs.
Another ventilation standout: eight fan speeds rather than the usual three or four. Why? Because when you’ve got only three or four to choose from, it invariably feels like a battle between too little air and too much.
Other high-end touches include a push-button fuel door release that’s easily accessed on the door rather than the typical cable-operated lever mounted somewhere on the floor. The icing on the cake is a built-in trip computer, standard on most models, that includes calculates your fuel economy, and tells you how far you can go before you’ll need to stop for gas. For more information call 866-574-6156 or email sales@worldhyundaimatteson.com. World Hyundai Matteson is your Chicago and Chicago Hyundai Dealership.
