Santa fe LWB

[luck11]

Originally Posted by Uconn411

Kicking Tires just put up a post about the 3rd row in the Santa Fe LWB. Seems a bit cramped and low in the 3rd row:
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe's Third Row Cramps its Family-Friendliness - KickingTires

I am not surprised given the sloping roof. But, again, I would suggest that anyone will be hard pressed to find any SUV/CUV in this class that has truly comfortable 3rd row seating. Even my HL, which decent space in the 3rd row, has the seats close the floor. BUT, I could certainly manage it for a 30-60 minute ride if I had to. Putting someone back there for hours? Unlikely, unless a child under 10.

Ultimately, comes down to need. If someone REALLY needs a comfortable 3rd row for more frequent long drives, then this is not the class to consider. Think monster SUV, like the Suburban or, as much as it pains me to say it....mini-van. If you need the occasional 3rd row for kids or friends on short trips, then I will go out on a limb here (given I haven't seen one in person) and say that the SF will likely do the job just as good as any other similar sized SUV/CUV.

Just my $.02.

[7milesup]

Originally Posted by luck11

Ultimately, comes down to need. If someone REALLY needs a comfortable 3rd row for more frequent long drives, then this is not the class to consider. Think monster SUV, like the Suburban or, as much as it pains me to say it....mini-van. If you need the occasional 3rd row for kids or friends on short trips, then I will go out on a limb here (given I haven't seen one in person) and say that the SF will likely do the job just as good as any other similar sized SUV/CUV.

Just my $.02.

If you really want a nice vehicle that has three rows with tons of interior room and one of the quietest cabins around, look at a Buick Enclave. I have not had real good luck with my 2008 Enclave but if you bought a new one I'm sure your experience would be different.
Trying to cram 3 rows of seats into these small/mid size CUV's is ridiculous in my opinion. I would not put anyone that I care about in the rears seats of any version of the SF (or any other small/mid CUV/crossover).

[luck11]

It seems that Hyundai Canada has decided to call the LWB the Santa FE XL. Product info page on the Hyundai Canada News site:

Hyundai News: Product Information

[sycore]

Wow, I really like that chrome front skid plate on the Canadian website. Is that available in the US? I so want this to work for our next car, but these little things keep adding up. Smallish 3rd row, to low ride height making it look mini-van, no cool seats, no pearl color like in Korea, no LED, no roof rack with sunroof, no chrome skid plate. Please Hyundai, stop showing me stuff I can't have.

[Zoom49]

Originally Posted by sycore

Smallish 3rd row, to low ride height making it look mini-van, no cool seats, no pearl color like in Korea, no LED, no roof rack with sunroof, no chrome skid plate. Please Hyundai, stop showing me stuff I can't have.

LOook at the new 2014 Kia Sorrento, same 3.5l engine, same new suspension and frame, LED DRL and tails, chrome skid plate, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats. More rugged exterior style. Roof rails with Pano roof. Painted calipers.
New-look 2014 Kia Sorento takes the stage in Los Angeles

[luck11]

Originally Posted by sycore

Wow, I really like that chrome front skid plate on the Canadian website. Is that available in the US? I so want this to work for our next car, but these little things keep adding up. Smallish 3rd row, to low ride height making it look mini-van, no cool seats, no pearl color like in Korea, no LED, no roof rack with sunroof, no chrome skid plate. Please Hyundai, stop showing me stuff I can't have.

Smallish 3rd row: well, yeah. If you want a comfortable and full size 3rd row, go minivan or full scale SUV. No SUV/CUV in this class is going to have a 3rd row that I would be willing to sit in for a 2-3 hr drive.

Look like a minivan? Really? I don't get that. I don't see minivan at all. In fact, profile reminds me of a Q7.

No cool seats. Yep, don't get that one at all.

No pearl. Yep, that kinda sucks, but a deal breaker?

No LED. Agree...but hope the Cdn version does

No roof rack with panny roof. Yes, there is roof rack with panny on LWB. See LA Auto Show unveil.

Skid plate. The pics on Cdn site are not "Cdn only", so what you see is likely available in USA. That said, where do you see chrome? I see painted silver, not chrome.

[Kipa]

Originally Posted by Zoom49

LOook at the new 2014 Kia Sorrento, same 3.5l engine, same new suspension and frame, LED DRL and tails, chrome skid plate, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats. More rugged exterior style. Roof rails with Pano roof. Painted calipers.
New-look 2014 Kia Sorento takes the stage in Los Angeles

I'm also very interested in the new Sorento. We need a 3rd row for infrequent use, and only by small children, so the Sorento might have almost the same utility for us as the LWB. Having the same 3.3L GDI engine in a smaller, lighter package as the LWB is intriguing. We live in the city and every inch counts here. A couple hundred pounds lighter has to be better for mpg as well. Lastly, I slightly prefer the styling on the Kia. On the other hand, the captain's chairs on the LWB (and easy 3rd row access) swings the preference back to the LWB, but with only infrequent access, not sure how much weight we should put on that.

I can't wait to test drive both.

Kipa

[IXEC]

Well I hope we see the "complete package" of the LWB at this upcoming show.

North American International Auto Show : The 2013 Show - Overview

[Don67]

5,000 pound towing capacity is impressive for this class. Anyone with a dual-axle camper should put this at the top of their list.

[luck11]

Anyone hearing any dates re: availability of the LWB? Called dealer, and all they told me was same info...sometime in Feb.