2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

Episode 3306
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The Hyundai Santa Fe has staked quite a claim for itself in the vast expanse of two-row crossover land. On the other hand, Hyundai’s 3-row Veracruz didn’t do so well. So why not try to fix that by capitalizing on the Santa Fe name? So along with the recently introduced 5-passenger Santa Fe Sport comes a new 7-passenger model named simply, Santa Fe. Will all of that shuffling result in a winning hand? Well it’s time to place your bets!  

Without a doubt, Hyundai has certainly gone “all-in” in recent years, with a nearly constant onslaught of fresh products and new segment entries. The newest goes by a familiar name, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. It competes against other mid-to-larger three-row crossovers like the Mazda CX-9, Honda Pilot, and Chevrolet Traverse, just to name a few.

Compared to the new two-row Santa Fe Sport, the Santa Fe is 8 ½ inches longer; riding on a stretched 110.2 inch wheelbase. Like most rivals, a V6 powertrain is standard. Here it’s the Azera’s 3.3-liter V6 feeding power to the front or all-wheels through a 6-speed automatic. Horsepower is 290, with torque coming in at 252 lb-ft. 

The combo is good for Government Fuel Economy Ratings of 18–City, 25-Highway, and 21–Combined in 2-wheel-drive models. We averaged a good 22.0 miles-per-gallon of Regular in mixed driving. It also offers a good amount of muscle for daily duties, including good passing power and towing up to 5,000 pounds. 

Being a family SUV, it’s what’s inside matters the most, and here our feelings about the new Santa Fe are more mixed.

Everything looks nice; the layout is fine; with deep hooded gauges, an easy to use center stack, and standard Blue Link telematics. But the environs come off as less expensive as both the old Veracruz and newer rivals like the Nissan Pathfinder. Seats are comfortable, but again the cushions grab us as short and thin. In Limited trim the second row is Captain’s Chairs for a capacity of six. Our 7-seat GLS had a 40/20/40 split bench, with a 60/40 slider as an option.

Ease of access to the 50/50 split third row is good, and it does provide surprising room for adults along with its own climate controls. Maximum cargo capacity is a respectable 80.0 cubic-ft, with 40.9 behind the second row, and 13.5 behind the third. Our GLS tester did not include the Limited’s power rear hatch, but the lift gate is very light, so we didn’t feel that it was necessary. 

Neither is running quarter miles in this family wagon, but that’s what we do, so off to the track we went for a 0-60 time of only 7.4 seconds, and a sprint through the quarter of 16.0-seconds flat at 90 miles per hour. Braking from 60 felt very good for a mass market hauler. Stops averaged an acceptable 131-feet with immediate response and feedback from the nice firm pedal. But dodging cones was not so impressive; with slow steering, plenty of body roll, and a clumsy feel that all work together to constantly remind you how big the new Santa Fe really is. 

The Santa Fe features sharper lines over the rear wheels, has chrome-tipped dual exhaust, a tow hitch cover, a slightly different take on the grille, and 18-inch wheels. 

Santa Fe pricing starts at a class reasonable $29,455, with the Limited model starting at $34,025. All-wheel-drive is available on either model for $1,750 more.   

The 2013 Santa Fe is all around competent and a good value, if not really a standout. A nice vehicle, but clearly a step down in image from the Veracruz it replaces. Still, the Santa Fe name may be just what it takes to give Hyundai a serious player in the larger crossover segment.

Specifications

  • Engine: 3.3-liter V6
  • Horsepower: 290
  • Torque: 252 lb-ft.
  • 0-60 mph: 7.4 seconds
  • 1/4 mile: 16.0 seconds @ 90 mph
  • EPA: 18 mpg city/ 25 mpg highway
Honda Prologue Reinvigorates Brand’s Electric Efforts

2024 Honda Prologue

Honda Shows Up Late To EV Party, Brings Best Appetizer

Episode 4329
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Except for some very limited run vehicles over the years, Honda has largely been sitting out the EV revolution. But that all changes now their first high volume effort, the Prologue. So, let’s find out if it is indeed the start of a great run for Honda.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is not only the brand’s first serious battery electric effort, but it’s also a substantial midsize five-passenger SUV, coming in about 3-inches longer than the internal combustion Passport. Though it’s worth noting, they got here with the help of General Motors and their Ultium EV platform.

So, Honda came to play, both with ultra-competitive pricing and segment leading 296 miles of range. That’s with the standard single-motor front-wheel drive EX rated for 212 horsepower, but top Elite doesn’t sacrifice all that much, coming in at 273 miles. The additional rear motor raises total output to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft torque.

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Relatively low output numbers in the EV game, but the Elite’s all-wheel drive setup delivered plenty enough acceleration to get our blood pumping during some early and very wet drive time through the recent historic downpours in Northern California.

And while Honda did get here with the help of GM and their Ultium chassis, the multi-link suspension bolted to it has been optimized by Honda for a “dynamic driving experience.” It was indeed plenty of fun to drive, nimble for its size with responsive steering, though we were also happy to find it comfortable and safe feeling in those weather conditions. It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

Comprehensive drive modes address just about every aspect of the driving experience, from power delivery to steering response and even braking power; but also changes things up inside with lighting and displays as well as active sound control.

For now, all Prologues come with an 85-kWh battery that will accept up to 150-kW fast charging for 65 miles of range for every 10 minutes on charge.

It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

As we’ve come to expect from Honda, the Prologue’s interior is minimalistic and practical, though not fully simplistic as there is plenty of tech on display, including the very high-mounted 11.3-inch touchscreen display. It has a Google-based operating system built into it like in the latest Accord Touring, and you can still use your Apple Carplay and Android Auto phones, both of which connect wirelessly.

Just below that display is some refreshingly easy to use traditional climate controls, and behind the steering wheel is a hoodless 11-inch tablet-style gauge display. Honda worked with Bose to develop an EV-specific sound system with 12 speakers. The standard EX’s system works with six speakers.

Being an EV means more space inside for both front and rear passengers than a vehicle built around a conventional drivetrain. Though with a substantial dual-level center console it doesn’t have the open floorplan of some EVs. The top layer of that console houses dedicated cell phone storage, mega-sized cupholders and Honda’s first use of a pocket-type wireless phone charger, which is standard. There’s space in back for 23.7 cubic-feet of cargo; 54.5 cubic-feet with the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded; plus, more space under the cargo floor.

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And while length and ground clearance are in the ballpark with the Passport, the Prologue’s wheelbase is nearly a foot longer, and it sits much lower, with a design theme that Honda calls “neo-rugged.” Its slick shape and smooth body panels are clearly designed for enhancing aerodynamics, yet the overall design doesn’t necessarily shout it from the rooftops. Aero-optimized 19-inch wheels are standard, with Elite rolling on 21s, a first for Honda. Roof rails, panoramic roof, and power liftgate are standard on all but the base EX.
With the launch of this new generation of Honda comes new badging that looks to the past with throwback-looking Honda script now spelled out across the back. The Prologue and future Honda EVs also get a new “e” series logo.

Comprehensive Honda Sensing safety features are included on most Prologues, with just rear pedestrian alert and a Surround Vision camera system reserved for Elite.

Pricing starts, before incentives, at just $48,795 for a front-wheel-drive EX, top Elite comes with all-wheel drive and starts at $59,295.

Like most brands, Honda has big plans to deliver a full array of battery electrics in the near future, making significant investments here in the U.S. to make it happen. It may have taken a little help from General Motors to get them started, but Honda is in the EV game for real now, and it arrives at a great time when competition in the midsize SUV EV ranks is getting serious. So, the 2024 Honda Prologue does indeed look like the start of something special for Honda, and for all of us.

Specifications

As Tested

  • Motor Setup: Dual Motor
  • Horsepower: 288
  • Range: 273 miles
  • Battery Size: 85-kWh
  • Torque: 333 lb-ft
  • Peak Charging Rate: 150-kW