hyundai's naming strategy with its santa fe and santa fe sport suvs was always a little confusing — two different-size suvs, two very similar names — and it just got a bit murkier for 2019. the two-row santa fe sport is now called the santa fe, and for the new model year, it got a lot more features for not a lot more money. when the 2019 santa fe goes on sale later this summer, it'll start at $26,480, including a $980 destination charge — $550 more than the outgoing model.
the base price is for the entry-level se 2.4 trim. a host of new safety and driver convenience features are standard, such as forward collision avoidance, blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic assist, lane keep assist, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, and android auto and apple carplay. all-wheel drive is an additional $1,700 and is available on all trims.
the range spans from the base se 2.4 to the topline ultimate 2.0t model, which starts at $38,080. standard on base and mid-level trims is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder; a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is standard on higher trims. both models pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission. a diesel used engine is available in other markets — a 2.2-liter turbo-diesel — but no word yet on if it'll make it to the u.s.
a new stop-start system is also standard this year, and fuel economy is up. in two-wheel-drive trim, the 2.4-liter is epa-rated at 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined, up from last year's 21/27/24 mpg.
taking a look at the field, the erstwhile santa fe sport starts lower than top competitors. the 2018 ford edge starts at $27,810, the 2018 nissan murano at $31,775 and the 2019 kia sorento at $26,980; all prices include destination. compare those three here.
more big changes are in store for hyundai's suv lineup. the previous seven-passenger, three-row santa fe is also getting redone and will be named the santa fe xl for the 2019 model year. in addition, hyundai says an all-new three-row, eight-passenger suv is currently under development and will carry an all-new name.
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