Before the SUV came the wagon. Its basic purpose: to carry more cargo than a sedan while using similar amounts of space and natural resources. The SUV gained popularity in the ’90s because it satisfied a desire for increased room and ruggedness, and offered the all-weather security of four-wheel drive. But as the novelty wore off, drivers missed the maneuverability and efficiency of their cars, and the Crossover Utility Vehicle was born. The idea: combine all-wheel drive and the increased utility of an SUV with the efficiency and maneuverability of a car.
When setting out to design the Santa Fe, we felt that many crossovers had missed the target. Either they felt too cramped and insubstantial or were car-like in the way they were constructed but not in how they handled. So we decided early on that the Hyundai Santa Fe would need to be designed to deliver on the balance of strengths the CUV was meant to deliver.
Not that we can take credit for the idea; the Santa Fe is the result of thousands of conversations with consumers. In fact, it was the first Hyundai vehicle designed in the U.S. specifically for U.S. market. The response the Santa Fe has received from the press and, more important, its owners is proof that the extra effort we made did not go unnoticed.