Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport name is now used for the three-row Veracruz’ replacement, necessitating the “Sport” moniker for the updated two-row Santa Fe crossover. The redesigned 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport adopts the Korean automaker’s latest design language called “Storm Edge.” Can the more aggressive 2013 Santa Fe Sport’s new styling retain existing Santa Fe owners while also attracting new customers cross-shopping crossovers like the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano?
Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
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| Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport |
Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
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| Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport |
Refreshing or Revolting: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport left rear static 1 300x187 imageThe 2013 Santa Fe Sport sits on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase as the 2012 model, but is half an inch longer overall, approximately half an inch narrower, and just under two inches lower. Up front the 2013 Santa Fe Sport features a large three-bar trapezoidal chrome grille similar to that of the new Hyundai Azera sedan. The corporate grille is flanked by Genesis Coupe-esque headlights. LED daytime running lights and foglights frame the lower fascia and faux aluminum skid plate. From the side, the bold beltline kick up leaves room for a small quarter window.
Around back the 2013 Santa Fe Sport’s taillights appear more modern than those on the 2012 Santa Fe. Spent gases from the base 2.4-liter and optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines are expelled through twin-tipped exhaust tips on the right side of the rear bumper. Base models get 17-inch wheels while Santa Fe Sport 2.0T models get 19-inch alloys.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport dash 11 300x187 image
On the inside, the Santa Fe Sport gains Hyundai’s driver-focused instrument cluster and flowing center stack with an available eight-inch touch-screen display. A panoramic sunroof, navigation, push-button start with keyless entry, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel are available on the two-row crossover. The 40:20:40 split second row folds flat and is available with the ability to slide fore and aft.
So do you think the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has the wow factor needed to steal sales from the competition? Is the 2013 Santa Fe Sport more attractive than the 2012 Santa Fe? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
Last week, the majority of commenters seemed less-than-impressed by the 2013 Nissan Altima’s styling with user Vic1212 saying, “I’d say neither because it just looks bland like a Camry… The same goes for the interior also.”
Some thought its looks weren’t significantly different than the current model with SJW saying, “It’s amazing how Nissan can pour money into a ‘radical’ redesign — and the car comes out the same!”
Others weren’t fond of the exterior—especially the new grille. Bruce said, “Love the profile and the more sporty rear view. But the bigger, more aggressive grill is disappointing. Looks out of proportion to rest of car and doesn’t match the sleeker styling cues in the new model.”
Still not all the comments were negative. Maseratidriver felt the 2013 Altima will be “one of the nicest midsize sedans on the road.”
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe photos are on the left while previous-generation Hyundai Santa Fe images are on the right.
Around back the 2013 Santa Fe Sport’s taillights appear more modern than those on the 2012 Santa Fe. Spent gases from the base 2.4-liter and optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines are expelled through twin-tipped exhaust tips on the right side of the rear bumper. Base models get 17-inch wheels while Santa Fe Sport 2.0T models get 19-inch alloys.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport dash 11 300x187 image
On the inside, the Santa Fe Sport gains Hyundai’s driver-focused instrument cluster and flowing center stack with an available eight-inch touch-screen display. A panoramic sunroof, navigation, push-button start with keyless entry, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel are available on the two-row crossover. The 40:20:40 split second row folds flat and is available with the ability to slide fore and aft.
So do you think the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has the wow factor needed to steal sales from the competition? Is the 2013 Santa Fe Sport more attractive than the 2012 Santa Fe? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
Last week, the majority of commenters seemed less-than-impressed by the 2013 Nissan Altima’s styling with user Vic1212 saying, “I’d say neither because it just looks bland like a Camry… The same goes for the interior also.”
Some thought its looks weren’t significantly different than the current model with SJW saying, “It’s amazing how Nissan can pour money into a ‘radical’ redesign — and the car comes out the same!”
Others weren’t fond of the exterior—especially the new grille. Bruce said, “Love the profile and the more sporty rear view. But the bigger, more aggressive grill is disappointing. Looks out of proportion to rest of car and doesn’t match the sleeker styling cues in the new model.”
Still not all the comments were negative. Maseratidriver felt the 2013 Altima will be “one of the nicest midsize sedans on the road.”
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe photos are on the left while previous-generation Hyundai Santa Fe images are on the right.