2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Mid-Size SUV Updates For More Appeal

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is Hyundai’s mid-size two-row SUV. It is the slightly smaller sibling in the Santa Fe family, with the longer plain Santa Fe (not Sport) taking on the duties of the mid-size three-row in the Santa Fe family. A little confusing, but that’s how Hyundai named them.

The 2018 Santa Fe Sport has been updated for added sales appeal in this hotly contested segment of the market. The Santa Fe models go up against Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer and Edge, and many others.

What’s New On The 2018 Santa Fe Sport

A new Value Package has been added to the Santa Fe Sport for 2018. It is available on the 2.4 model, so the 2018 Santa Fe Sport model lineup is as follows:

• 2018 Santa Fe Sport 2.4
• 2018 Santa Fe Sport 2.4 Value
• 2018 Santa Fe Sport 2.0T
• 2018 Santa Fe Sport 2.0T Ultimate

The Santa Fe Sport 2.4 Value Package is priced at $1,900, and consists of the following items:

• Heated dual power side mirrors with turn signal indicators
• Power windows with front auto-up/down
• Proximity key with push-button start (includes remote start via Blue Link app)
• 7” display audio with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay & SiriusXM
• Dual automatic temperature control with clean air ionizer
• Hyundai Blue Link connected car system
• Power driver seat with lumbar support
• Heated front seats
• LED daytime running lights
• Front fog lights
• Roof side rails

Other updates include standard premium wood finish trim on leather-equipped Santa Fe Sports, and three full years of Blue Link services standard on all Santa Fe Sports so equipped.

Two Powerful Engines To Select from

2018 Santa Fe Sport comes standard with a 2.4L four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower. The 2.0T and 2.0T Ultimate models come with an upgraded 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on both engines. All Santa Fe Sport models are available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

A Wide Variety Of Safety Systems Built Right In

Standard safety equipment on every 2018 Santa Fe Sport includes seven airbags, vehicle stability management with electronic stability control and traction control system, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, hill-start assist control with downhill brake control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Many Great Features, Both Standard And Available

2018 Santa Fe Sport standard equipment includes remote keyless entry with alarm, LED headlight accents, rearview camera, automatic on/off headlights, steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, and Bluetooth hands-free smartphone system.

Available features are a panoramic sunroof, HID Xenon headlights, navigation and a 12-speaker Infinity Logic7 audio system. You can also get the power hands-free smart liftgate with auto open, which gives you easy access to the cargo area by simply standing within a few feet of the rear bumper with the key fob on you.

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Lots Of SUV In A Right-Sized Package

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is an excellent value in a mid-size two-row SUV package. Pricing starts at $24,950 for the 2.4 with front-wheel drive, and tops out at $37,200 for the 2.0T Ultimate with all-wheel drive. The 2018 Santa Fe Sport is available now at Hyundai dealers nationwide.