It wasn't that long ago when Hyundai->ke201 was relegated as an afterthought company in the auto industry. Those times, though, are all but gone, because the Korean brand has more than become a player in the business, it's actually established itself as a contender in some markets, including the compact SUV->ke145 division.

Hyundai can largely thank the Santa Fe for that, and with a new look, new features and options to match, the 2014 Santa Fe Sport is ready to take on the world.

One of the Santa Fe Sport's new goodies in its 2014 model year is the company's new Blind Spot Detection system (BSD) and a rear parking assistance system. Those two technological upgrades alone are certainly worth more than the standard lip service.

That aside, the 2014 Santa Fe Sport also boasts a steady diet of upgrades, something Hyundai actively did to ensure that its prized SUV has been given the proper training to duke it out with its rival models.

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

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 190 @ 6300
  • Torque: 181 @ 4250
  • Transmission: 6-speedelectronic automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

When Hyundai decided to give the Santa Fe an aesthetic overhaul last year, it did so knowing that the popularity of the SUV could be affected. Well, it has, but in a good way.

The new Santa Fe looks much better than its predecessor, and fits right in line with the company's new design language. And seeing as this is the Santa Fe Sport, you can be sure that it has some interesting new features.

Generally speaking, the Santa Fe Sport is a little more pleasant to look at than its base counterpart; a feat it accomplished through a handful of new features like the projector headlights with LED accents, the chrome grille, and, seeing as its a five-seater, a side window shape that visibly highlights the sturdier look of the Santa Fee.

Some folks might dismiss the changes as nothing more than new trinkets, but give it some time to sink in, and you'll realize how fresh the new Santa Fe Sport is to the eyes.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

106.3 in

Overall length

184.6 in

Overall width

74.0 in.

Overall height (w/ roof rack)

66.1 in. (66.5 in.)

Wheel Tread, front

64.3 / 64.1 in. (17”/ 18 &19”)

Wheel Tread, rear

64.7 / 64.5 in. (17”/ 18 &19”)

Coefficient of Drag

0.34


2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - Standard Exterior Features

- Center High Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) LED

- Projector headlights with LED accents

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

- 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

- Rear window wipers

- Rear spoiler

- 17-in. aluminum alloy wheel w/ P235/65R17

Interior

Space and comfort have always been hallmarks for a Hyundai interior and the Santa Fe Sport is no different. It may still be classified as a compact SUV, but for the five seats it has, each one comes with ample leg room.

The coordination of the dash is also a plus with the center console providing a clean set of controls that looks pretty easy to use. The materials are what you'd expect from a compact SUV, but there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about how you can make the most of what you get with the Santa Fe Sport's contemporary interior.

Overall, it's a pretty user-friendly cabin that's been dressed with a top quality level of fit and finish. Oh, and don't sleep on some of the new options. Those are worth your attention, too.

2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - Interior Dimensions

Head room (w/ sunroof)

Front

39.6 in.(38.2 in.)

2nd row

39.1 in.(37.4 in.)

3rd row

N/A

Leg room

Front (MAX)

41.3 in. (44.1 in.)

2nd row

39.4 in

3rd row

N/A

Shoulder room

Front

59.4 in.

2nd row

58.3 in

3rd row

N/A

Hip room

Front

56.7 in.

2nd row

55.4 in.

3rd row

N/A

SAE passenger volume

108.0 cubic ft.

Total interior volume

143.4 cubic ft.

SAE cargo volume – Behind front seats (est.)

71.5 cubic ft.

SAE cargo volume – Behind 2nd row seats (est.)

35.4 cubic ft.


SAE cargo volume

- Air conditioning

- Cabin air filter

- Outside temperature display

- 2nd row ventilation ducts (B-pillar-mounted)

- Rear window defroster, electronic with timer

- Steering wheel, urethane

- 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

- Door trim, simulated leather inserts

- Door button surround, metallic

- Door handles, silver

- Door pulls, urethane

- Door armrest, integrated

- Door pockets with bottle holders

- Driver sunvisor with illuminated vanity mirror and visor extension

- Passenger sunvisor with illuminated vanity mirror and visor extension

- Cruise control

- Trip computer (miles per gallon, range, trip distance, temperature)

- Power windows with driver’s auto-up/down

- Power door locks

Drivetrain

Hyundai decided to drop in weight class with the engine options for the new Santa Fe Sport. Whereas the standard model features a 3.6 V-6, the Santa Fe Sport comes in a choice of either a 2.0- or a 2.4-liter in-line-four setup. The former is capable of pumping out 190 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm, and the latter has 264 ponies at 6,000 rpm and 269 pound-feet of torque between 1,750 and 3,000 rpm at its disposal.

Each model comes with a six-speed electronic auto transmission with the former better served than the latter in case fuel efficiency is high up in your priorities.

Type

2.4L GDI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder

2.0L Turbo GDI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder

Materials

Aluminum block/aluminum cylinder heads

Aluminum block/aluminum cylinder heads

Bore & stroke

88.0 mm x 97.0 mm

86.0 mm x 86.0 mm

Displacement

2.4L / 2,359 cc

2.0 L / 1,998 cc

Horsepower (est.)

190 @ 6,300 rpm

264 @ 6,000 rpm

Torque

181 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

269 lb-ft @ 1,750~ 3,000 rpm

Transmission

6-speedelectronic automatic

6-speedelectronic automatic

Fuel economy

20mpg/27mpg/23mpg

19mpg/27mpg/22mpg


Prices

Plenty of Santa Fe Sport trim levels means that buyers have an option to choose which one they'd like. If you're not into all the bells and whistles of a full blown Santa Fe Sport, you can get one for just $24,950.

But if you want the whole nine yards - and then some - prepare to get saddled with a $32,400 purchase on your bank accounts.

Model

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

Prices

Santa Fe Sport

2.4L 4-Cylinder

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

Front-Wheel Drive

$24,950

Santa Fe Sport

2.4L 4-Cylinder

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC®

All-Wheel Drive

$26,700

Santa Fe Sport

2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

Front-Wheel Drive

$30,650

Santa Fe Sport

2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

All-Wheel Drive

$32,400

Santa Fe Sport 2.0T

2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

Front-Wheel Drive

$30,650

Santa Fe Sport 2.0T

2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder

6-Speed Automatic with SHIFTRONIC

All-Wheel Drive

$32,400


Santa Fe Sport 2.0T

Santa Fe Sport 2.0T - Saddle Interior

$1,150

Santa Fe Sport 2.0T - Saddle Interior

$3,200

Options

$3,200

2.4L Popular Equipment Package

$1,750

2.4L Premium Equipment Package

$4,350

2.4L Technology Package

$350

2.0T Navigation Package

$350

2.0T Technology Package (not applicable on Technology package models)

$205


Competitors

2014 Toyota Highlander

Just like the new Santa Fe Sport, the new-generation Highlander recently made its world debut, in its case at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. And just like the Hyundai, the new Highlander received a series of new features, including 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 also offered with a choice of multiple engines options, including a pair of 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.

2014 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.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport gets a lot of high marks from us, beginning with a new exterior look that's more in line with Hyundai's other models. On top of that, the SUV also has a comfortable and user-friendly interior, two important characteristics for a vehicle in its class.

Add that to a modest price tag, and you're looking at an SUV that should carry a significant level of interest from prospective customers and buyers.