Solid Elegant Upgrade to the Tucson
I was looking for a vehicle that offered more interior room and comfort than my 2016 Tucson while still fitting in my garage, and the Santa Fe delivered. Cabin is elegant, quiet, with more leg and elbow room than the Tucson. Sound system is terrific, particularly listening to HD FM, and the Nixie tube display is a nice touch. Longer wheel base and slightly mushier suspension improves the ride. The 2.5 liter engine provides plenty of power to move the heavier frame, while the turbo and dual-clutch transmission reduce the hit to mileage. I opted for front-wheel drive because I live in the desert and I specifically wanted a spare tire (the AWD option only comes with the "mobility kit"). Cameras everywhere give you terrific parking, backing up and turning visibility. Surprise delights: Parking Brake automatically engages when the vehicle is on any kind of incline. The rear passenger seat windows have retractable sun screens. Weird feature: You get a little notification when you are stopped in traffic (e.g., at a light) and the car in front of you starts moving. Possibly scary feature: Smart Park -- I have not used this and intend to use it only after I have thoroughly rehearsed in an empty parking lot :-)
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