The Santa Fe, which was introduced as a 2001 model, has been steadily updated over the years in both small ways—relocating the clock from an overhead position to the dashboard—and large ways such as fitting standard side-impact airbags.

This year, the Santa Fe adds a new Limited trim level, which includes leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, automatic temperature control, an in-dash six-CD changer, automatic light control, and a trip computer. A new standard feature on the GLS 3.5 is an electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror with a HomeLink universal transceiver. Exterior design changes for the 2006 model year include a new all-black monochromatic color scheme available on the Limited.

The Santa Fe—which comes in GLS and Limited trim levels—can be equipped with a 170-hp, 2.7-liter V-6 or a 200-hp (219 lb-ft of torque), 3.5-liter DOHC V-6. Models with the big motor come with a five-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes with traction control, an electronic four-wheel-drive system, and a suspension upgraded to handle the extra power.

The big V-6 engine puts the Santa Fe on a par with the higher-powered sport-utes in its class, but it is unlikely that the Hyundai will top them in performance since it is considerably heavier than most of its competition. For example, a well-equipped version scales in at about 3750 pounds, nearly a quarter-ton more than a Honda CR-V.

The Santa Fe’s chassis is a heavily revised Sonata unit-body platform, which puts it into the so-called crossover category of SUVs. As such, it makes no pretension of heavy-duty off-roading but is more of a tall station wagon with an SUV look that’s somewhat unconventional: From the cowl forward, the Santa Fe is more sports sedan than sport-ute, with a snouty grill and bubble fenders. The curvy motif extends to the interior, with its wraparound dashboard. The large, simply rendered instruments are logically located, and the central pod with its radio and climate controls is equally easy to use. The Santa Fe’s seats are as comfortable as anything else in the class, and there are sufficient storage spaces as well as lots of amenities such as cup holders and power points.



With a strut front suspension and a trailing-arm and multilink rear suspension, the Santa Fe provides a comfortable ride, and it steers and tracks well with no tendency toward wander or play in the wheel. On a rutted and bumpy off-road course with some steep climbs and tight turns, a four-wheel-drive Santa Fe performed admirably, using its 8.1-inch ground clearance to good advantage.

The Santa Fe has been steadily carving out a compelling presence in the diminutive end of the SUV market by hewing faithfully to Hyundai’s strategy of offering good-looking, well-equipped vehicles at a competitive price and backing them with a killer warranty (10 years/100,000 miles powertrain coverage). Read More

HIGHS Quiet running with a cushy ride and plenty of attractive safety features.		LOWS Rubber-band shifter, undisciplined shocks and struts make for a loose ride.
WHAT'S NEW Sedan is mostly carry-over from ’06, but a three-door model joins the lineup.		BEHIND THE WHEEL The Accent rides well, but without sporty intent. Fun is not the object here, and for a small package, there’s lots of refinement.
CAPSULE REVIEW The third-generation Accent is roomier than the car it replaces and comes in GLS trim only. It has dual front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags, and side-curtain airbags, standard safety features that are usually unheard of in an economy car. And it has a great warranty.

Read More

Hyundai Motor Co. and its labour union have agreed on a new wage deal, the company said Tuesday, likely averting a threatened strike. Hyundai Motor spokesman Jake Jang had no details on the deal other than that one had been reached. The most recent negotiations between management and the union were held Monday and Tuesday in the southeastern industrial and port city of Ulsan, where the company has its main factory.
Jang said the deal is tentative and must still be voted on by the union rank-and-file.
Union representatives could not immediately be reached for confirmation.
The 44,867-strong union voted last week in favour of a strike, but postponed the walkout to give negotiators more time to forge a deal. Labour unrest at Hyundai, the world's sixth-largest automaker, is an annual event. The union has gone on strike every year but one since it was founded in 1987. Workers have already walked off the job twice this year. Read More

Hyundai Motor Co. said Saturday its labour union has voted in favour of going on strike amid annual wage negotiations. According to an e-mail from the automaker, 28,243 union members voted in favour of the strike, while 12,544 opposed it. It was not immediately clear, however, when a walkout might begin. Strikes at Hyundai are common. Workers have already walked off the job twice this year. The union has gone on strike every year but one since it was founded in 1987. This year's tensions come at a sensitive time. A Seoul court is set next week to issue a ruling on an appeal by Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo against his three-year prison term for embezzlement. Chung, who is free on bail, is actively running the world's sixth-largest automaker. He was sentenced earlier this year.
The union and management remain far apart despite 10 formal negotiating sessions so far.
The company has offered a 5.4 per cent increase, or $83 more a month in basic salary, while the union is seeking an 8.9 per cent hike. Hyundai has also offered an incentive of three months of pay and a bonus of $1,066 if the company meets annual business targets. The union wants the automaker to pay 30 per cent of its 2007 net profit to union members as bonuses and to raise the retirement age to 60 from 58. According to the e-mail, 40,995 union members, or 91.4 per cent of the total membership of 44,867, cast ballots. Read More