Someone at Hyundai must really like western art and turquoise jewelry to keep using this same name. After two years on the market, the 2014 models bring a handful of tech updates to each stylish crossover.

The current Santa Fe comes in three confusing flavors: the original seven-seater, or now a smaller Sante Fe Sport five-seater. And now a LWB version of the base car.

Detail tweaks to equipment are the biggest changes to the SF and the SF LWB. The Technology Packages now offers HID headlights and LED taillights, ventilated front seats and integrated memory seats.

Also, for 2014 all Santa Fe->ke1023 models will offer Hyundai’s Blind Spot Detection system (BSD) and a rear parking assistance system. The last detail update for the 2014 was made on the models equipped with panoramic sunroofs that will now also be equipped with roof rails.

The 2014 Santa Fe will be offered in three configurations: Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, and Santa Fe LWB. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Updated 10/22/2014: Hyundai announced prices and a series of small updates for the 2015 Santa Fe. The model will be put on sale with more standard comfort and convenience equipment for 2015, with the biggest update including refinements to the steering and suspension systems. Details after the jump.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 290 @ 6400
  • Torque: 252 @ 5200
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The 2014 Santa Fe model will be differentiated from the Santa Fe Sport version by the shape of the side window. As the Santa Fe brings a third row of seats, its side window features a shape that highlights the increased passenger and cargo room behind the third-row seat.

Also, the base Santa Fe has a different B-pillar, grille design, chrome-tipped dual exhaust and a flush-mounted tow hitch design. The model is also equipped with HID headlights and LED taillights. It looks good in isolation but less good next to the Sport.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe - Standard Exterior Features

-Automatic headlight light control

-Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) LED

-Projector headlights with LED accents

-Outside mirrors, dual power, manual-folding, bodycolor

-Outside mirrors, heated with timer

-Bumpers, bodycolor with silver skid plates

-Grille, chrome

-DLO moldings, chrome

-Lower bodyside cladding, Dark gray

-Door handles, chrome

-Solar glasswindshield and front windows

-Privacy glass rear windows

-Windshield wiper, 2-speed with variable intermittent

-Windshield wiper deicer

New For 2015

- Standard daytime running lights

- Sparkling Silver

- Platinum Graphite paint colors

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

110.2 in.

Overall length

193.1 in.

Overall width

74.2 in.

Overall height (w/ roof rack)

66.5 in. (66.9 in.)

Wheel Tread, front

64.1/64.5 in.(18"/19")

Wheel Tread, rear

64.5/64.5 in.(18"/19")


Interior

The 2014 Santa Fe will be offered with standard cloth seats, plus optional ventilated front seats for the first time.

As an option the company is also offering an optional panoramic sunroof, that will allow more natural light into the cabin and rear side window sunshades.

On the three-row versions, the second-row legroom is increased by 1.9 inches and cargo capacity by 5.5 cubic feet.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe - Standard Interior Features

-Air conditioning

-Tilt & telescopic steering wheel

-Steering wheel-mounted audio, Bluetooth, and cruise controls

-Headliner, cloth

-Interior accents: center console, lower dash, upper door inserts and TGS surround

-Door sill scuff plates, plastic with Santa Fe imprint

-Passenger sunvisor with illuminated vanity mirror and visor extension

-Shift knob, leather-wrapped

-Floor covering, premium cut-pile carpeting

-Floor mat retention hooks, driver front passenger

-Blue Link telematics system

New for 2015

- Driver’s blind spot mirror

- Auto up/down front passenger power window.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe - Exterior Dimensions

Head room (w/ sunroof)

39.6 in. (38.2 in.)

Leg room front

41.3 in. (44.1 in.)

Shoulder room Front

59.4 in.

Hip room Front

56.7 in.

Total passenger volume

146.6 cubic ft.

Total interior volume

160 cubic ft.

Cargo volume – Behind front seats (est.)

80.0 cubic ft.

Cargo volume – Behind 2nd row seats (est.)

40.9 cubic ft.

Cargo volume – Behind 3rd row seats (est.)

13.5 cubic ft.


Drivetrain

The 2014 Santa Fe is powered by the same 3.3-liter V6 engine found in the Azera. The engine delivers a total of 290 horsepower and a peak torque of 252 pound-feet, much more than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder's V-6 engines.

The standard V-6 is mated to a six-speed automatic. This engine ensures a fuel economy of 18 mpg on city driving and 25 mpg on the highway.

Engine Type

3.3L GDI DOHC 24-valve V6

Materials

Aluminum block/aluminum cylinder heads

Bore & stroke

92.0 mm x 83.8 mm

Displacement

3.3L / 3,342 cc

Horsepower (est.)

290 @ 6,400 rpm

Torque

252 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

Valves per cylinder

4

Compression Ratio

11.5


Suspension and Brakes

All the 2014 Santa Fe models are equipped with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a fully independent multi-link rear suspension. Depending on the model, the rear suspension comes equipped with 21 mm (0.82 inches) solid stabilizer bar in the front wheel drive versions and a 19 mm (0.74 inches) solid stabilizer bar in the all-wheel drive variants.

Also, all the models are offered with a Driver Selectable Steering Mode that features three operating modes: Comfort, Normal and Sport. Depending on the road conditions, the driver can select between the three modes as follow: Comfort is for city driving, Normal is ideal for a mix of driving conditions, while Sport is optimized for higher-speed freeways or winding roads.

The SUV is offered with standard 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels combined with ventilated piston discs.

New for 2015

- Updated electric power steering system which now uses a 32-bit microprocessor that delivers a refined steering feel. It retains Hyundai’s Driver Selectable Steering Mode, which features a retuned “Sport” setting

- Retuned front wheel bushings

Prices

2015 Hyundai Santa Fe - Prices

Model

Engine

Transmission

MSRP

Santa Fe GLS FWD

3.3L V6 Engine

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC®

$30,150

Santa Fe GLS AWD

3.3L V6 Engine

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC®

$31,900

Santa Fe Limited FWD

3.3L V6 Engine

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC®

$34,250

Santa Fe Limited AWD

3.3L V6 Engine

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC®

$36,000

Santa Fe Limited FWD - Saddle Interior

3.3L V6 Engine

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC®

$34,250

Santa Fe Limited AWD - Saddle Interior

3.3L V6 Engine

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC®

$36,000


Competitors

Toyota Highlander

The new-generation Highlander mid-size SUV made its world debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show and comes with a series of new features like an updated exterior look, a refined, premium interior and a new six-speed automatic with sequential shift offered for the V-6 models.

The 2014 Highlander is offered with a choice of three engines: two gasoline units and one hybrid powerplant. The model targeting the 2014 Santa Fe is the one powered by a 3.5 liter V-6 engine that delivers a total of 270 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.

Nissan Pathfinder

The Pathfinder is on sale for like 27 years now, so it is far from being a young model. Nissan however, found a way to keep it fresh over the years as it updated it on a regular basis. The latest update came for the 2013 mode year when it received a new look and a modified interior.

Under the hood the model keeps the usual 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers a total of 260 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 240 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm.

2014 Santa Fe

2014 Highlander

2014 Pilot

2014 Pathfinder

V6 engine

3.3L GDI

3.5L MPI

3.5L MPI

3.5L MPI

Horsepower (@rpm)

290@6,400

270@6,200

250@5,700

260@6,400

Torque (lb-ft @rpm)

252@5,200

248@4,700

253@4,800

240@4,400

Specific Output (HP/Liter)

87.9

77.1

71.4

74.3

Base engine curb weight

3,933

4,045

4,306

4,185

Power-to-weight ratio (lbs./hp)

13.6

15.0

17.2

16.1

Towing capacity (lbs.)

5,000

5,000

2,000

5,000

Fuel economy (FWD)

18/25/21

18/24/20

18/25/21

20/26/22


Conclusion

Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the best sold SUVs both on the American and the European market. Its price, the fact that offers a three-row seating version, its standard features and why not, its look, make it quite famous among customers.