DETROIT — The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, on sale now in Europe, gets a modest exterior freshening and a choice of new powertrains. The Santa Fe is on display at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
The base engine in the 2010 Santa Fe is Hyundai's new Theta II four-cylinder, a 2.4-liter unit that makes 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a new six-speed automatic with manual shift capability, the engine returns 20 mpg in EPA city driving and 28 on the highway, with 0-60-mph acceleration that's quicker than with last year's 2.7-liter V6.
The uplevel engine for 2010 is a new Lambda II 3.5-liter V6, rated at 276 hp and 248 lb-ft. Also coupled with a six-speed automatic, the V6 delivers EPA city/highway fuel economy of 20/26 mpg.
Much of the sheet metal has been carried over from 2009, with modest revisions to the grille, bumpers, foglamps and body-side moldings. There are five new exterior colors for 2010.
A touchscreen navigation system with rearview camera is now offered on all Santa Fe models, which also get standard iPod connectivity, Bluetooth capability and steering-wheel audio and cruise controls.
Inside Line says: Could be the last year for the current model before a full redesign. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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