2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Overview
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is a mid-size, two-row crossover SUV that offers a blend of practicality, comfort, and value. Known for its user-friendly design and a good array of features for its class, the Santa Fe Sport aimed to be a strong contender in the competitive SUV market.
Highlights
- Engine Options:
- 2.4L Inline-4: This standard engine provides adequate power for daily commuting and general driving. It's a fuel-efficient option for those prioritizing economy.
- 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4: The optional turbocharged engine delivers a more spirited driving experience with a noticeable increase in horsepower and torque, making for quicker acceleration and more confident highway passing.
- Safety Features: The 2017 Santa Fe Sport was available with a robust suite of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies designed to enhance awareness and prevent accidents. These included:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Uses sensors to detect potential frontal collisions and automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW): Alerts the driver audibly and visually if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane without the turn signal activated.
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD): Uses sensors to monitor areas around the vehicle that are not visible in the side mirrors and alerts the driver if a vehicle is detected in these blind spots.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA): Helps drivers detect approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space or driveway.
- Multi-View Camera System: Provides a 360-degree bird's-eye view around the vehicle, aiding in parking and maneuvering in tight spaces.
- Trim Summary: The Santa Fe Sport was offered in several well-defined trims, each building upon the features of the one below:
- Santa Fe Sport: The base model, offering a solid foundation of comfort and convenience features.
- Santa Fe Sport 2.0T: This trim gets the more powerful turbocharged engine and often includes additional premium amenities.
- Santa Fe Sport Value Package: Typically an enhancement for the base 2.4L model, adding popular features like a power driver's seat and upgraded audio.
- Santa Fe Sport Premium Package: Builds on the Value Package with more sophisticated comfort and technology features, often including leather seating and enhanced infotainment.
- Santa Fe Sport Ultimate Package: The top-tier trim, offering the most comprehensive list of luxury and convenience features, including advanced safety technologies, panoramic sunroof, and premium audio.
- Notable Aspects:
- Spacious and Comfortable Interior: The Santa Fe Sport is praised for its roomy cabin, comfortable seating, and good cargo space for its class, making it suitable for families and those with active lifestyles.
- User-Friendly Infotainment: The infotainment system, especially with the optional touchscreen and navigation, was generally intuitive and easy to use.
- Smooth Ride Quality: The suspension is tuned for a comfortable ride, absorbing road imperfections well, making it a pleasant vehicle for long journeys.
- Generous Standard Features: Even the base models often came with a decent array of standard features, contributing to its value proposition.
What to Expect
Owning a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport typically means experiencing a reliable and comfortable daily driver. Routine maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and filter replacements, will be standard. Hyundai vehicles generally have a reputation for reasonable maintenance costs and good parts availability. Insurance costs will vary based on your individual profile, location, and chosen coverage, but the Santa Fe Sport is usually in a moderate cost bracket for its segment. Many owners report satisfaction with its overall durability and the practicality of its design for everyday use, including grocery runs, school pickups, and road trips.
Potential Considerations
While the 2017 Santa Fe Sport is a well-rounded vehicle, there are a few points buyers should be aware of:
- Base Engine Performance: The 2.4L four-cylinder engine, while adequate, can feel a bit underpowered when fully loaded or when merging onto fast-moving highways. The turbocharged 2.0T engine is a significant upgrade in this regard.
- Transmission Behavior: Some reviews noted that the automatic transmission could occasionally be a bit hesitant or indecisive in gear selection, particularly under spirited driving conditions.
- Interior Material Quality: While comfortable, some of the interior plastics and materials might not feel as premium or as soft to the touch as those found in some competitors, particularly in lower trim levels.
- Road Noise: On certain road surfaces, there can be a noticeable amount of road and tire noise entering the cabin, which might be a factor for those sensitive to NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness).
Overall Summary
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport stands out as a practical, comfortable, and feature-rich mid-size crossover. It excels in providing a spacious and user-friendly interior, a comfortable ride, and a good array of available safety and technology features. While the base engine could benefit from more power and some interior materials might not feel top-tier, the overall package offers excellent value for families and individuals seeking a versatile and dependable SUV. It's a solid choice for those prioritizing comfort, space, and a good feature set at a competitive point in the market.
