Can The 2013 Santa Fe LWB Score A Knockout Punch Against The Pilot Or Pathfinder?

As of July 2011, the city of Santa Fe, N.M., had a population of 68,642. The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe, when fully loaded with human cargo, has a population of seven. It would take approximately 9,806 Santa Fes to carry the entirety of Santa Fe, N.M., which would create a sizable amount of gridlock (and some pretty good sales figures for Hyundai). And those Santa Fes would be driving far, far away from Veracruz -- a city in old Mexico, and an awkward-looking crossover that Hyundai seems pretty content to leave behind.

The Veracruz was Hyundai's last effort at a seven-passenger crossover, a competent but staid vehicle that all but resembled a ball of mozzarella with a set of googly eyes on top. It went out of production last year. Instead of replacing it, Hyundai gave the Santa Fe a promotion -- now, the Santa Fe line splits into a five-passenger and a seven-passenger model.


















































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MorePower - 3/20/2013 2:40:31 PM

+2 Boost

If Hyundai made a Pacifica, this would be it.

I see this being more of a competitor to the Explorer and GM's line on CUV's than the Pilot or Pathfinder.

Sciros - 3/20/2013 2:57:08 PM

-1 Boost

I'd say it's right there with the Pathfinder in terms of being a suburban family vehicle that isn't a minivan. The Explorer and GM's cars look "tougher" to me.

I'd also say this is better than the new Pathfinder in terms of aesthetics, and probably quality as well.

Agent009 - 3/20/2013 4:06:50 PM

-1 Boost

Most buyer buy on looks. compared to the competition this is far cleaner and modern looking. Granted it doesn't have the offroad capability of the pathfinder, most people would never use it.

The Pilot looks like a dinosaur next to it.

85bmw745i - 3/20/2013 5:55:01 PM

+1 Boost

The pathfinder is no better than this offroad. It is now a crossover, FWD/AWD transverse engine layout, unibody etc. Pathfinder is no longer a real SUV. Plus it is ugly just like the pilot. Out of the three id take the Hyundai anyday. Can't believe I said that. times are changing.

cidflekken - 3/20/2013 5:30:36 PM

+1 Boost

Like all other Hyundai's, this will be an also-ran in the segment. Yes, it looks okay, but it's nearly identical to the Chevy Traverse, and the Traverse does it better. And it certainly doesn't stand out, style-wise, in its segment like the Sonata did.

This will do exactly what the SWB Santa Fe did: look decent enough, but get pretty tepid reviews for its overall performance.

Sciros - 3/20/2013 8:53:16 PM

+1 Boost

Ha someone has went and downvoted positive comments and upvoted negative ones w.r.t. to this car. Hmmm probably a Highlander driver.

HughJass - 3/20/2013 8:56:48 PM

+2 Boost

Considering the Pilot is 6 years old and the Pathfinder is fairly ugly (the Pilot too), I'd be surprised if it didn't. However, it does cost a few grand more than the regular Santa Fe so most people will probably opt for te SWB one. Hyundai customers are price sensitive.