The Big 3G Discussion Thread (from CM Forum)

[thundercraft]

With the complete rebuild of the SF due in Sept of 2011 I would like to ask the question to all owners;

[b]"What do you want to see changed in the new generation 2012 version?"

Personally I would like to see;

- complete new body style
- complete new suspension incl tires, springs & shocks. To eliminate the harsh ride over road seams,tracks and potholes
- lower driving position
- better distinction between models. Currently can not tell other than chrome on Ltd soor handles and very small badge on rear. Maybe different wheels or larger badging?
- better selection of exterior & interior colors
- leather in the Ltd is nothing but high grade vinyl. Offer cloth upholstery in Ltd.
- improved fuel mileage however current is great!
- reduce the wind noise at hwy speeds. This is 2011 and wind noise should not even be evident
- offer electric hatch as an option
- back up camera standard on Sport and Ltd
- move from SUV to CUV

Looking forward to comments and also looking forward to the 2012. This is a great SUV and holds top spot in the ratings it can only get better when one looks at the new Sonata, Tuscon and Elantra.

[Ruperts Trooper]

QUOTE (SFLTD @ Apr 9 2011, 04:42 PM)

With the complete rebuild of the SF due in Sept of 2011 I would like to ask the question to all owners;

[b]"What do you want to see changed in the new generation 2012 version?"</span>

Personally I would like to see;

- complete new body style [b]- better aerodynamics but still understated

- complete new suspension incl tires, springs & shocks. To eliminate the harsh ride over road seams,tracks and potholes [b]- keep the SAME suspension as 2010-2011 on European models, it's firm and handles well

- lower driving position [b]- why, it's not a sports car

- better distinction between models. Currently can not tell other than chrome on Ltd soor handles and very small badge on rear. Maybe different wheels or larger badging? [b]- as long as there's a debadging option for those who don't need to boast about their purchase


- better selection of exterior & interior colors [b]- agreed, including a light grey interior

- leather in the Ltd is nothing but high grade vinyl. Offer cloth upholstery in Ltd. [b]- offer the Limited in Europe with high grade leather and more equipment than Premium

- improved fuel mileage however current is great! [b]- you'll need the diesel for that

- reduce the wind noise at hwy speeds. This is 2011 and wind noise should not even be evident [b]- agreed

- offer electric hatch as an option [b]- offer the twin sunroof from the Kia Sorento, the structure is clearly designed for it

- back up camera standard on Sport and Ltd

- move from SUV to CUV [b]- no, stay as SUV and improve the off-road protection

Looking forward to comments and also looking forward to the 2012. This is a great SUV and holds top spot in the ratings it can only get better when one looks at the new Sonata, Tuscon and Elantra.

[b]<span style="color:#FF0000">The only thing I'd add is to distance the IX45 for Europe from the Santa Fe for North America, the two different cultures deserve different vehicles even if derived from the same source.

[caddman11]

After living with a Subaru Forster for 4 years, the ride and quietness of the Santy's cab is great; so that wasn't an issue for me. As for driving height, I love it. I'm 6'4 and looking down on others beats the heck out of a low seating position.

I try and take off the badges on everything I own, my bike is really stripped down now---no chrome---love the all black look. I really got what I wanted black on black, but I might have looked at other exterior colors if there was a darker interior (I've got 3 dogs).

I took off my top cross bars and that took away a considerable amount of wind noise, before that it was still way quieter than my Forester.

The 3.5L engine sold me on the SUV as soon as I hit the gas pedal---at 20+ mpg and that pickup, I couldn't be happier. Love my Santa Fe.

[trucker]

Leave it as is. At least as close to current as possible.

I don't like the design trend of Hyundai's new models. When the 2012's get revealed, I just may grab a 2011.

[Stef71]

QUOTE (caddman11 @ Apr 9 2011, 04:11 PM)

I'm 6'4 and looking down on others beats the heck out of a low seating position.

Got you beat by 2". I'm 6'6" and for me, the seat height is just right, I can just slide my rear-end sideways and I'm in. No need to climb up or bend down. Perfect!

[canderson]

Why turn the Santa Fe into a CUV? From your description of what you'd like it to become, you don't want it to be an SUV anyway. Why not leave the SF as an SUV, and come up with a new CUV model that acts like the sports car you envision? I need the ground clearance and the stiffer suspension.

[AlaskanAWD]

QUOTE (canderson @ Apr 9 2011, 10:34 PM)

Why turn the Santa Fe into a CUV? From your description of what you'd like it to become, you don't want it to be an SUV anyway. Why not leave the SF as an SUV, and come up with a new CUV model that acts like the sports car you envision? I need the ground clearance and the stiffer suspension.

Our Santa Fe's are CUV's (Crossover Utility Vehicle) based on the Sonata chassis. A SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) is based on a light truck chassis, like a Chevy Suburban or Ford Explorer. I also agree with many of the original posters suggestions. My biggest complaint is the lack of room for us big guys. The power seat does not go low enough (especially with a sun roof), so I have to lay the seat back to fit...not the best position for view or safety. Also the seat bottoms are short and do not support a longer leg. I just accept it as a Korean design that works for most shorter drivers.

Don't get me wrong, the Santa Fe is a great vehicle, it just needs to improve with each new generation, not go backwards and go cheap. Little things that have been lost (cheap); working lights in the bumpers, rear hatch bumper protector, standard cargo cross rails, monochrome grill, etc.

[Upthewazzu]

QUOTE (AlaskanAWD @ Apr 10 2011, 09:36 AM)

[b]Our Santa Fe's are CUV's (Crossover Utility Vehicle) based on the Sonata chassis. A SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) is based on a light truck chassis, like a Chevy Suburban or Ford Explorer. I also agree with many of the original posters suggestions. My biggest complaint is the lack of room for us big guys. The power seat does not go low enough (especially with a sun roof), so I have to lay the seat back to fit...not the best position for view or safety. Also the seat bottoms are short and do not support a longer leg. I just accept it as a Korean design that works for most shorter drivers.

Don't get me wrong, the Santa Fe is a great vehicle, it just needs to improve with each new generation, not go backwards and go cheap. Little things that have been lost (cheap); working lights in the bumpers, rear hatch bumper protector, standard cargo cross rails, monochrome grill, etc.

Dern, you beat me by 6 minutes.

The only thing that really needs improved is the ride quality. It's jarring, to say the least.

[Ruperts Trooper]

QUOTE (AlaskanAWD @ Apr 10 2011, 05:36 PM)

A SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) is based on a light truck chassis,

That's an out-of-date definition - it doesn't apply to SUVs in RoW and even real off-roaders like Land-Rover and Range-Rover will have monocoque integral construction in their forthcoming models.

[Upthewazzu]

QUOTE (Ruperts Trooper @ Apr 10 2011, 10:05 AM)

That's an out-of-date definition - it doesn't apply to SUVs in RoW and even real off-roaders like Land-Rover and Range-Rover will have monocoque integral construction in their forthcoming models.

SUV's have a dedicated chassis that belongs only to them (or other trucks). Crossovers share a chassis design with another vehicle type (cars, vans). The Santa Fe shares its chassis with a car, the Sonata, hence it is a CUV.