The high riding position and light body (at 3950 pounds, it's more than 200 pounds lighter than the Toyota Highlander) made this vehicle downright fun to toss through some twisty roads around San Diego. The ride was smooth and exceptionally quiet, attributes the Veracruz did not possess.

Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, Hyundai's V-6 never wanted for power. During aggressive driving, the transmission now and then seemed unsure of what gear it wanted to grab, but for the most part, it performed well. Hyundai rates the Santa Fe's towing capacity at 5000 pounds.

Just like the Santa Fe Sport, the Santa Fe provides three different selectable driver modes for its electric motor-driven power steering. Basically, each mode increases feedback by 10 percent. The changes are noticeable, but not necessarily good. I found Comfort mode too loose and Sport mode too tight, so I kept the steering on Normal. Hyundai also adds a number of standard driver-friendly features, including Hill Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control.

On the safety front, Hyundai did a nice job of loading up the Santa Fe with seven airbags and active brake assist, which steps in if the vehicle detects aggressive braking. The all-wheel-drive model features Active Cornering Control, which monitors driving conditions and traction requirements and provides additional stability by either braking or sending torque to a single wheel. The system is a step up from some cornering systems that are basically highly advanced electronic stability control. It was difficult for me to tell if this system was working during my test drive, though I can attest to never accidently driving off the road.

Overall, the long-wheelbase Santa Fe feels ready for prime time. Its configurability and capabilities give the vehicle a sense of purpose, and the number of high-end features at a reasonable price makes the Santa Fe a value. Yet, it's the Santa Fe's performance that completes the package. Just because someone has a family or spends his or her days toting kids around town doesnt mean the ride shouldnt be fun. The Santa Fe provides just that.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
BASE PRICE	$29,195 (est)
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, FWD/AWD, 6- or 7-pass, 4-door SUV
ENGINE ENGINES	3.3L/290-hp/252-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6
TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSIONS	6-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT	3950 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE	110.2 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT	193.1 x 74.2 x 66.5 in
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON	18 / 24-25 mpg (est)
ON SALE IN U.S.	Currently