2018 Hyundai Santa Fe/Santa Fe Sport

Pros: Option of 5-passenger or 7-passenger versions; peppy acceleration in Sport 2.0T models; comfortable, practical interior; standard hill-descent control

Cons: Cramped 3rd-row seat; many desirable options are available only in pricey packages; pricing is steep on Sport models

CG Says: Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport are essentially unchanged for 2018. Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system now includes three years of free service. The Hyundai Santa Fe midsize crossover SUV was redesigned for 2013, and in the process gained two versions: the 2-row, 5-passenger, 4-cylinder-powered Santa Fe Sport and the 3-row, 7-passenger, V6 Santa Fe. Santa Fe Sport has a choice of two 4-cylinder engines: a 190-horsepower 2.4-liter and a 264-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter. A 290-hp 3.3-liter V6 is sole engine for Santa Fe. All engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and all models offer a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Available features include autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, cross-traffic alert, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and adaptive cruise control. Good power from both the 4-cylinder and V6 engines; agreeable ride quality; and a comfortable, practical interior are some of the highlights of the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe/Santa Fe Sport. We also like how refined these crossovers feel and how quiet they are on the road. However, pricing is a bit on the steep side–at least for the Sport–particularly when you add costly option packages. Still, if you’re looking at crossovers or SUVs, be sure to drive the Santa Fe that best approximates your passenger-hauling needs.