Yup,

Looking at the new pictures... Only one exhaust??!! (bean counter where here again..) White all around that grill is bad, no black between the windows change the dynamic of the vehicle. The taillights I don't mind them... But that is it!!

I hate brown but that dark bronze is my favorite color in the Veracruz.

Looking at the new pictures... Only one exhaust??!! (bean counter where here again..) White all around that grill is bad, no black between the windows change the dynamic of the vehicle. The taillights I don't mind them... But that is it!!


What photos are you looking at? I don't see any white other than in trajetXG's signature, and I can't make out most of the other details you mention. One exception is single exhaust.... I see dual exhausts in the first vehicle. The second vehicle appears to be a different model; if it's a Santa Fe with single exhaust then maybe it is the 4 cylinder.

I think he's refering to this link: http://www.leftlanenews.com/cars/image_pop...ta-fe-new-1.jpg

Thanks trajetXG, don't know how I missed that link.

Not sure I like the painted grille and window frames. It reverses some of the "growing up" the Santa Fe did in the 2007 redesign. Almost makes me think of this: http://www.budgetki.com/Pictures/echo.jpg

That butt ugly Budget Toyota is a good comparison.

Hopefully, the painted grill and door posts will only be on the cheapies. The aftermarket suppliers will be having a field day.

I have the chromed stainless steel covers on my door pillars because I don't like body colored or black.

I haven't been able to see the single exhaust so must be looking in all the wrong places. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grin.gif)

David <><

David, I've never seen chrome door frame inserts like that. Have you ever thought of matching them with a reflective window tint job like this?

http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/attachments/...nt-dsc00036.jpg

That would give it a monochrome look similar to blacked-out windows and frames, only different.

Hmmmm, that might make for an interesting look.

The only problem I can see is that because the rear door glass and the rear side glass are much darker, the reflective tinting may not show through very well in tose two places.


The stainless steel side pieces are available on ebay. You can get the crhomed plastic or the chromed SS. I opted for the SS, although the plastic would probably look okay. The SS is not as thick as plastic, which was my main reason for going with it.

David <><

This post has been edited by david-paul-1: May 2 2009, 02:52 PM

Might also need to check with 50-state tint laws. Oh sorry... and provincial for you canucks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/00000732.gif)

Last I checked, most states/provinces take a dim view on mirror tint (no pun intended).

Personally, I think mirror tint looks good - and appropriate - for the rear window, particularly on a hatchback, wagon or SUV. I have it on my '99 Sonata, though lite enough to keep the county mounty off my back.

This post has been edited by Volfy: May 2 2009, 10:52 PM

Well, it does seem there will be no black grills for 2010. I have to triple confirm that though.

I'm concerned. I can't decide which is more horrific - the white grill or the white pillars. To have both on the same car - god, it's hideous! We know they dumbed down the 2009 non-limited to those steel wheels and black mirrors. Apparently Hyundai is working on a trend!

So now we have the : Santa Fe, Tucson, Portico all showing white grills and white pillars on the white cars. Is Hyundai going body color on ALL Suv's? Veracruz also? I see black pillars on Sonata spy shots.

Further - the bottom black cladding no longer has the upper door pieces. Nor does it have that bit of an upswoop towards the rear. Flat, straight across flat black and shorter. I'm finding the tail lights with that red rim look a bit gaudy.

I'm willing to hold out hope for the black pillars on the Limited. But I've lost hope for the grill due to getting information.
Goodbye Koala Bear nose.

ALSO dumbed down will be the stereo on the Limited. Goodbye 605 watts. Goodbye Logic7 Infinity. It will NOT be as good a sound system. Period. Fact. The only good news there is it will have a proper nav system (non-popout) with backup cam capabilities with a higher rez screen. But at what cost? Sound quality.

Does ANYone know of ANY car released in the last year or 2 with body color pillars? I can't find a single one and I've no clue what Hyundai is thinking? I can't imagine a body color grill being desireable. 5/1 they upped the rebate to $2,000 on 2009's.

Personally, I don't mind body-color grill. To each his/her own. In the past, I've painted black grills white and clear-coated raw plastic grill so they shine instead of being dull black. I've yet to paint a body-color grill back to black, but it ain't difficult.

Body color pillars are easy to covert to black, but not the other way. Just get with a shop that does vinyl graphics, which will tape right over the pillars. In fact, that is how some manufacturers do their pillars OEM.

I wouldn't worry too much about the missing bottom black trim pieces just yet. Looks to me they just camouflage taped over that area in the spy pics. No telling what they will be put there eventually.

Agreed on the two-tone tail lights. Blehhhh!!! There are at least two styles of LED tail lights available for the Santa Fe, either one would've given the SF a more upscale look.

As for audio HU, I've never liked factory units. Most of the time, the OEM HU gets ripped out of my cars anyway. You can do much better aftermarket. IF Hyundai cheapens the stereo and lowers the MSRP overall, I'm for it. Make Logic7 (or whatever) an upgrade package for those who prefer factory stuff.

The pillars on my 08 are taped over with black. The edge of the door got nicked and that is how I discovered it was tape.
So Hyundai is one of those OEM's.

Well then, I have even more hope for black pillars if that's the case. The white grill tho.... no no no. Oh it'll look so dirty all the time too.

Hyundai won't be doing these things will they? They wouldn't do such a thing would they? I used to dislike the all red rear lights a bit only because the red seemed rather orangy red. But the red 'stripe' around them... no thanks.

I guess I'm going to wait a bit for any new information on them and make the decision at that time. The 2010 apparently start production Mid-Oct. If I don't go with the 2010, hopefully the 2009's will be $3000-3500 rebate in Fall. A used MDX is still on the table for me.

OK folks - New article here on the changes. I "think" however, these are artist renderings. IDK. I also heard the new Santy won't be out till February (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) So IDK how reliable all this is but it's fun to read.

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2009...3/#comment-3626

Thoughts?

I like the sneering fog lights, 6-speed transmission, side mirror turn signals and "higher quality interior" (assuming that means soft-touch dash).

On the downside, I'm not overly thrilled about pushbutton starters or backup cameras. Meh.

Now about that painted grille. Was this inspired by the Toyota Echo or something? Yechhhh!

Some of these options may not make it to the Alabama built SF. Things like the diesel and the rear fog lamps likely won't.

Congo

Not much of a "facelift" I must say. More like a Botox Injection. Like the new headlights on the '09 Sonata, the difference is so subtle I can't really see it on the pics. So grill and foglights are it. I sure hope the new fogs have improved beam patterns and not just cosmetic makeover.

6sp tranny is the only change worth getting excited about. I do like the 17" alloys though. These 18"s got the bling factor pegged, but don't do much for ride and handling. The trend toward ever larger rims is disturbing to me. Beyond a certain point, all they do is add unsprung weight and hurt ride, handling and fuel efficiency.

Well said...Volfy. Larger rims usually mean more expensive rubber, also.

Body Color Grill = Abomination. Reeks of low end.

I'm already thinking in my head (IF I buy a 2010), what I'll do to it. Paint it black probably. Maybe even can tweak it like the current Limited with the chrome accents. Maybe some sort of black film to wrap on the fins???

If you do get one, 'll trade ya. I like body color grill.

BTW, for heaven sake - buy one already! Any more talk, and we're all gonna have to pitch in and buy you one - just to end your agonizing deliberation. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)