Used 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Although the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV remains an attractive proposition, its aging design has prompted Hyundai to rely on a proven sales tactic: add more features for less money. Even with these upgrades, however, the 2018 Santa Fe Sport compact-crossover SUV must still compete with the Honda CR-V, VW Tiguan and Chevrolet Equinox, all offering newer designs, better tech and, in the case of the Mazda CX-5, a diesel-engine option. Fuel economy is also an area where the 2018 Santa Fe Sport is falling behind the pack. To its credit, the Santa Fe Sport offers one of the most powerful engines in the segment, loads of standard equipment plus such high-end options as ventilated front seats, Infinity audio and a panoramic moonroof.

Hyundai’s 2018 Santa Fe Sport SUV blends a fun-to-drive attitude with mature styling and a sophisticated interior. The base 2.4-liter engine puts out a respectable 185 horsepower, but the Santa Fe Sport’s substantial weight really calls for the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter. This engine delivers excellent performance with only a marginal difference in fuel economy. The Santa Fe Sport’s ride is firm but not harsh, remaining smooth so long as the surface below is too. Handling is also good, but the Santa Fe Sport’s steering feel isn’t as precise as in a Mazda CX-5 or VW Tiguan. All-wheel-drive-equipped models have the added advantage of improved handling in both wet and dry conditions, a benefit of the Active Cornering Control that routes torque to the wheels with the best grip. Standard Drive Mode Select alters power steering and throttle response for Normal, Eco and Sport settings.

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport crossover SUV proves that you don’t have to sacrifice user friendliness to have a contemporary interior design. All the controls inside are easy to reach and understand, and everything is constructed with care and high-quality materials. It’s also practical, with stain-resistant Yes Essentials fabric or available leather, and a rear bench seat that folds in a 40/20/40 split and is also available with 5.2 inches of fore-and-aft travel and a recline function as part of an option package. Behind the seats is a good-sized cargo space, making the Santa Fe Sport exceptionally flexible.

Last year, Hyundai gave the compact Santa Fe Sport SUV a new grille with brush-look inserts, emphasizing the "Sport" part of the name. The sleek crossover SUV also has daytime running lights as standard, while around back reside a set of sleek taillights and a twin-paired dual exhaust. We like the sharply styled design, with impressive details merging with aerodynamic efficiency that include hidden underbody fairings. Standard equipment on the Sport are 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/65R17 tires, while the Sport 2.0T has 18-inch alloys with 235/60R18 tires as standard and 19-inch alloys with 235/55R19 tires optionally available.

2.0-LITER TURBOCHARGED ENGINE
With 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, the 2018 Santa Fe Sport’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivers the kind of performance uncommon in the world of compact SUVs. Best of all, fuel economy is nearly identical to the base 2.4-liter engine.

HANDS-FREE SMART LIFTGATE WITH AUTO OPEN
Where some power liftgates require pressing a button on a fob or furiously waving one’s foot below the bumper, the 2018 Santa Fe Sport’s power liftgate opens upon approach when sensing the proximity of the remote fob in your pocket.

Hyundai’s Santa Fe Sport for 2018 includes a driver’s-side blind-spot mirror and auto up/down passenger window, air conditioning, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering column, steering-wheel-mounted controls, Drive Mode Select, remote keyless entry, heated mirrors, a 6-speaker audio system that includes a 5-inch-color LCD display with rearview monitor, USB and auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth. Turbocharged 2.0T models get a lot more equipment standard, including most of the base model’s Premium and Value Packages, adding roof rails, fog lights, a power driver’s seat, Blue Link, heated front seats, push-button start/stop and more. Safety features include blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.

The base 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport offers the Value Package and Premium Package already mentioned, plus a Tech Package that includes a panoramic sunroof, rear park assist, navigation with 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Infinity premium audio, Multi-View Camera, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a power liftgate. The Santa Fe Sport 2.0T Ultimate adds 19-inch wheels, Infinity Premium audio and a heated steering wheel plus offers the Ultimate Tech Package that adds Smart Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, adaptive headlights, high-beam assist and an electronic parking brake.

For 2018 the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport offers a choice of two engines. Standard on the base Sport is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 185 horsepower; if that’s not enough, the 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the Sport 2.0T should satisfy you. Both engines benefit from modern direct-fuel injection and continuously variable-valve timing for the optimum in efficiency and power. The only transmission choice is a 6-speed automatic with a Shiftronic manual shift gate, for those who wish to shift for themselves, and is available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), delivering responsive and impressive performance and fuel economy.

2.4-liter inline-4
185 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
178 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/27 mpg (FWD), 20/26 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
240 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/28 mpg (FWD), 20/27 mpg (FWD, Ultimate), 19/26 mpg (AWD), 19/24 mpg (AWD, Ultimate)