2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Exterior Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 36 Santa-Fe reviews and test drives.
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
While the Hyundai Santa Fe's previous models were known for looking a bit quirky, most reviews praise Hyundai for the newly redesigned exterior, which has made the SUV more conventional and likeable. The Santa Fe's looks may be more forgettable now--the exterior only ranks in the middle of the class.
As Kelley Blue Book says, "Hyundai showed good taste in moving away from the overly busy appearance of the previous Santa Fe. Where the outgoing model's lines and creases seemed like design for design's sake, the new model takes a much simpler approach." A reviewer at BusinessWeek likes the sleeker look: "To my eye, the new Santa Fe looks a lot better than the old one, too. Its lines are cleaner, and the pointier front end, with its sloped grill, looks downright rakish. The new Santa Fe won't turn heads when you pull into the local health club, but it won't embarrass you, either." Likewise, Cars.com calls the Santa Fe's styling Hyundai's "best effort yet, with lines that flow gracefully into each other. Hyundai toned down its typical fender flare, and now there's just enough to give the vehicle character."
The Santa Fe now looks more like other SUVs, reviewers note. Motor Trend says, "The new Santa Fe is more conventional in appearance, melding nicely with an overall shape resembling a cross between the Toyota Highlander or RAV4 with just a hint of Acura RDX." The current model is bigger than pre-2007 models, with an extra 3.2 inches between the wheels and 7 inches in length.
