Hyundai replaced the Veracruz name with Santa Fe for the automaker's three-row crossover and then added Sport to the Santa Fe to differentiate the smaller two-row SUV. The Korean automaker updated the Santa Fe Sport's design to its new "Storm Edge" styling language. Will Hyundai lure in new customers with the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport's new, aggressive styling while not offending current Santa Fe owners?
The 2013 Santa Fe Sport sits on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase as the 2012 model, but is half an inch longer overall, approximately half an inch narrower, and just under two inches lower. Up front the 2013 Santa Fe Sport features a large three-bar trapezoidal chrome grille similar to that of the new Hyundai Azera sedan. The corporate grille is flanked by Genesis Coupe-esque headlights. LED daytime running lights and foglights frame the lower fascia and faux aluminum skid plate. From the side, the bold beltline kick up leaves room for a small quarter window.
Around back the 2013 Santa Fe Sport's taillights appear more modern than those on the 2012 Santa Fe. Spent gases from the base 2.4-liter and optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines are expelled through twin-tipped exhaust tips on the right side of the rear bumper. Base models get 17-inch wheels while Santa Fe Sport 2.0T models get 19-inch alloys.
On the inside, the Santa Fe Sport gains Hyundai's driver-focused instrument cluster and flowing center stack with an available eight-inch touch-screen display. A panoramic sunroof, navigation, push-button start with keyless entry, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel are available on the two-row crossover. The 40:20:40 split second row folds flat and is available with the ability to slide fore and aft.
So do you think the new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has the wow factor needed to steal sales from the competition, like the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano? Is the 2013 Santa Fe Sport more attractive than the 2012 Santa Fe? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.