2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Review: Value Proposition Shows Its Age

Five years after its debut, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport received substantial updates to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving midsize SUV market. While Hyundai addressed critical safety concerns and refreshed the styling, our comprehensive evaluation reveals an SUV that's beginning to show its age against newer rivals.

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2017 Updates: More Than Just Cosmetic Changes

Hyundai invested significantly in the 2017 Santa Fe Sport, updating approximately 25% of its components. The most crucial improvements came in structural reinforcements designed to boost its previously mediocre crash-test performance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had given the 2016 model three out of five stars for frontal crash protection, making these changes particularly important for safety-conscious buyers.

Additional updates included:

• Redesigned front fascia with revised headlight and fog light assemblies
• Updated multimedia system with improved responsiveness
• Revised engine calibrations for better fuel economy
• New available safety features including automatic emergency braking
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Trim Levels and Powertrain Options

The 2017 Santa Fe Sport continued with three distinct trim levels, each catering to different buyer priorities:

Trim Level	Engine	Key Features	Starting MSRP
Base	2.4L 4-cylinder (185 hp)	Cloth seats, 17" wheels, 5" touchscreen	$25,350
2.0T	2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder (240 hp)	Leatherette seats, 18" wheels, dual-zone climate	$29,700
2.0T Ultimate	2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder (240 hp)	Leather seats, navigation, panoramic sunroof	$35,400

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Performance: Turbo Power vs. Everyday Refinement

The Santa Fe Sport's optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivers 240 horsepower—a significant 55-hp advantage over the base engine. During our testing, we found the turbo provided:

Strong highway passing power when kept in higher revs

• Noticeable turbo lag when accelerating from stop
• Unrefined engine note under hard acceleration
• Responsive six-speed automatic transmission

Compared to competitors offering V6 options, the Santa Fe Sport lacks the effortless low-end torque that makes larger SUVs feel more composed in daily driving. The turbo engine's EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined (21 city/27 highway with FWD) represents only a 1 mpg penalty versus the base engine, making it the obvious choice for most buyers.

Ride and Handling: Sporty Compromise

Hyundai tuned the Santa Fe Sport's suspension to deliver more engaging handling than many family-focused SUVs. The trade-off becomes apparent on rough pavement, where the ride quality turns busy compared to class leaders like the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander. Our test vehicle's 19-inch wheels likely exacerbated this characteristic—the standard 17-inch or optional 18-inch wheels might improve comfort.

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Interior Quality: A Mixed Bag

The Santa Fe Sport's cabin reveals its age most clearly when compared to newer competitors. While some surfaces impress with soft-touch materials and thoughtful details, others feel disappointingly low-rent:

Cargo space measures up respectably at 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 71.5 cubic feet with them folded. This compares favorably to the Honda CR-V (35.2/70.9) but falls short of the three-row Hyundai Santa Fe's maximum 80 cubic feet.

Safety and Technology Updates

For 2017, Hyundai made several important safety upgrades:

• Structural reinforcements to improve crash protection
• Available Automatic Emergency Braking (standard on Ultimate trim)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane departure warning system

The updated infotainment system features a more responsive 8-inch touchscreen on upper trims, though it still lacks the polish of systems from Honda or Mazda. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility help bridge the gap for smartphone users.

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How It Compares to the Competition

The midsize SUV segment evolved dramatically between the Santa Fe Sport's 2012 debut and its 2017 refresh. Key competitors include:

Ford Edge

More powerful engine options and a more upscale interior, but higher starting price.

Honda CR-V

Redesigned for 2017 with class-leading interior space and refinement.

Nissan Murano

More distinctive styling and premium cabin, but less engaging to drive.

Final Verdict: Value Versus Refinement

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport presents a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious SUV shoppers, particularly in well-equipped 2.0T trims. However, its aging platform shows through in cabin quality and refinement compared to newer competitors. For buyers prioritizing:

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• Value: The Santa Fe Sport delivers impressive features for the price
• Driving Dynamics: More engaging than many family SUVs
• Brand Loyalty: Hyundai's strong warranty coverage

Those seeking the latest in interior refinement, advanced safety tech, or maximum passenger comfort may prefer to consider newer competitors or the three-row Hyundai Santa Fe, which benefits from more recent updates.

For current pricing information and available inventory, visit MotorVero's Hyundai Santa Fe Sport listings.

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