Wow...you guys really get shafted. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Here we can choose from 4-cylinder FWD, V6 FWD or V6 AWD with a choice of two interior colors and whether or not we want Navigation on the Limited.

But wait, it's worse. We also get only 5 exterior colors, only a 5 year warranty, no standard tire pressure monitoring system, and no standard cross rails. And for the privilege of less features, less choice, and less warranty we have to pay $6,500 more for the vehicle (before taxes or government fees!).

Buying vehicles in Canada sucks.

This post has been edited by jaydee77ca: Jan 31 2010, 05:28 PM

Dang...that really does suck. Sorry to hear.

No choice of interior colours for us! If you get the red Santa Fe, the interior is black and cream. If you get basically any other colour, it is grey, unless you upgrade to Sport/Limited (then the interior would be black.


I liked the black interior, but am now realizing that grey is more practical. Black interiors can get dirty very, very easily (especially in the winter).

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe on Display at 2010 Detroit Auto Show

The article isn't groundbreaking except for this tidbit:

Could there be a redesign for 2011? Perhaps an early 2012 model? (Like the Sorento and Sonata)

I believe it will be the last full year before the redesign. They will probably do what they did this year with the new Sonata; do a small run of 2010 models and then introduce the 2011 except with the SF it wlll be advanced a year.

A few final decisions on my 2010 SF and I'm looking for a bit of advice:

GL vs Sport:
The price difference is not the determining factor, but the features are. Here is a short list of differences between the GL and the Sport:

GL:
-Cloth seats (and a cloth material that I'm not a fan of)
-No heated seats
-No sunroof
-17" tires
-No leather steering wheel
-Grey interior

Sport:
-Sides of seats are leather, middle are cloth
-Heated seats
-Sunroof
-18" tires
-Leather stering wheel
-Black interior

I could care less about the sunroof and 18" tires. My plan was to get the GL until I saw the seats. The cloth they are providing doesn't impress me and seems like the material would start to fray. I want heated seats (and was planning on having them added on if I got the GL). I don't want leather seats (because of wear & tear concerns) but the seats in the Sport aren't entirely leather -- the sides of them are leather, and the middle are a suede-type material. I've also never had a leather steering wheel and don't know what to expect with wear. I'm not very particular about a black vs grey interior.

Extended Warranty:
While I haven't gotten into exact numbers, I've heard extended warranty will be about $1100 to extend the warranty to 140,000 KM/7 yrs instead of 100,000 KM/5 yrs.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

This post has been edited by torontonian: Feb 9 2010, 10:31 AM

My understanding is that the seat sides on the 2010 are not real leather but synthetic. The change to synthetic was made to address wear issues.

Everything I've read about extended warranties has said that they are not usually worth the cost. The stuff I've read about vehicle warranties always recommends buying direct rather than from a dealer as the markup at the dealer can be upwards of double the actual cost. You might want to check out Warranty Direct or other companies and see if you can purchase the warranty extension directly instead of through the dealership.

Definitely go for the GL and here is why.

You will not lose money on the sun roof. Trade in value will be in your favor and you will enjoy it, in spite of yourself. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grin.gif)

The vinyl bolsters will make it easier to egress the vehicle and will wear like iron.

The leather steering wheel really feels nice in hot or cold weather. There is no problem with wear and tear unless you have unusually sweaty or oily palms. Most people don't.

Heated seats are a must, but you already know that.

Eighteen inch wheels will give you much better handling. Less tire flex.

Now, go enjoy the best little SUV on the planet.

David <><

You told him to get the GL but then listed all the positives of the Sport... ;)

This post has been edited by jaydee77ca: Feb 9 2010, 11:31 PM

I think he meant to get the Sport. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yep!

Because the models are called something else in the States, I got confused.

Okay, okay, do what I really meant to say, not what I actually said. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

David <><

I am comparing the 2010 Santa Fe against the 2011 Kia Sorento EX V6 in the US. In my mind Hyundai has better brand equity than Kia but other than that I see that Kia offers more - is that correct?

Panoramic sun roof
keyless engine start/stop
more storage places around the cabin
2-tone leather seats

and probably a few more that I forget.

What are your views? I am still waiting to test ride the 2010 SF since my local dealer here in Massachusetts doesn't have any.
Thanks in advance,
Gaurav

Here are a couple of posts where I compared the Sorento to the Santa Fe:

• Post 1
• Post 2

In Canada I can't see the Sorento as a deal since you can get 0% financing for up to 5 years on a Santa Fe. Hyundai has better resale value, better build and material quality, and a bit better ride I think (based on the Sorento reviews I've read).

A Canadian to USA trim level translation....

GL --> GLS
Sport --> SE
Limited --> Limited

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

The pricing tool on the Kia Canada site now allows you to price a 2011. The pricing is not that encouraging. An EX-V6 Luxury comes to $44,738 after taxes and financing is 3.9% for 36 to 60 months. That works out to $822 per month for 60 months. A Santa Fe Limited with Nav is $44,082 at 0% for 60 months or $735 per month. That's almost $100 difference per month or $6,000 in real dollars. Not sure I would pay $6,000 more for a Kia...

I have to agree, however the Sorento is new just like the Tuson is this year.
Let see what the 2011 Santa fe financing is like!!!

Yeah it's new, but if you look at the options it's almost exactly like the Santa Fe except for styling, the panoramic sunroof, and a tiny bit of "mood lighting" and the reviews I've been reading say that the ride and build quality still aren't up to Hyundai levels. *shrug*

Well the tiny options might make the choice a little easier, rearview camera and sensors is one option that Hyundai should have put on the 2010 (not all of us are going to buy the LTD with Navi). The panoramic sunroof is probably no big deal for most buyers.
But lets be honest if you compare the 2009 Sorrento with the 2011 Kia added alot of nice features and if you compare the 2009 Santa fe with the 2010 Hyundai took things away.