2003 Hyundai Santa Fe review, specs, price quote

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe is a compact sport-utility vehicle offered by Hyundai, blending solid engineering with a decidedly eye-catching sense of style. Though not a true off-road trailblazer, the 2003 Santa Fe certainly won't shy away from unpaved paths either.

The Hyundai Santa Fe offers excellent handling, with minimal top-heaviness in corners. It has the type of agility and quickness one would expect from a well-balanced compact SUV, with a ruggedness that is also undeniably present.

Available Models
The 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe is offered in an entry-level base trim, a GLS trim and a top-line LX trim.

Interior Features
The Santa Fe is right up at the top of the list of compact SUVs on the market when it comes to interior room. It seats five and has a low step-in height for easy entry and exiting. In addition, the Santa Fe offers more cargo space than any other compact SUV on the road (with the exception of the Ford Escape).

The interior is not only roomy; it is also friendly to the touch. Human-hand-sized controls for the stereo and HVAC system offer easy adjustment and handling. For options, the Santa Fe has a list that reads like a fine dessert menu.

Exterior Features
Though the Santa Fe is not a complete off-road monster, it doesn't look like a sissy either. Its front end blends smoothly into the flanks to suggest sufficient robustness for off-road capability. Large wheel arches reinforce this look of readiness.

Performance
Two engines are available with the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe. The first, standard on the base trim, is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder model that is capable of generating 138 horsepower and 156 lb-ft. of torque. The rest of the model lineup has more jump out of the gate with a 2.7-liter V6 engine that offers 173 horsepower and 187 lb-ft. of torque. The 4-cylinder engine can be mated to either 4-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual, while the V6 only offers automatic.

Base models are front-wheel drive vehicles, while GLS and LX models can be all-wheel drive as well. This gives the Santa Fe the added control necessary in poor weather situations, and when the trails call.

Safety and Security
For safety, the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe has dual front airbags, front side airbags and 4-wheel disc brakes that stop on a dime. The top-line LX model adds antilock brakes.

2003 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights

Major enhancements for the 2003 model year Santa Fe include the addition of side-impact airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, new Monsoon stereo systems for the GLS and LX models and the HomeLink system for the LX. The other major changes – revised dashboard center stack, larger air conditioning vents, revised overhead console, optional power sliding moonroof and more were completed in the middle of the 2002 model year.
Other changes and enhancements include illuminated power window switches, illuminated glove box interior, gas charged struts that make it easier to raise the hood, a revised, easier-to-use seat recliner and folding mechanism, two outboard ISOFIX child seat anchors, improved map light and overhead console design, chrome PRNDL surround and shift lever button (GLS and LX only) and chromed inside door handles and parking brake knob.
All three Santa Fe models, Santa Fe, Santa Fe GLS and Santa Fe LX, are equipped with front and rear disc brakes. Power door locks and body-colored mirrors and door handles are standard and even the base Santa Fe is equipped with handsome side cladding and a stereo system that includes front tweeters for a richer sound quality.

Competing 2003 Models to the Hyundai Santa Fe

Chevy Tracker
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V
Jeep Liberty
Mazda Tribute
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4

Although New-Cars.com checks with auto manufacturers and their representatives to confirm the accuracy of the data, it makes no guarantee or warranty, either expressed or implied with respect to the data presented here. All specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice.



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2003 Hyundai Santa Fe

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