Put a big Xmas bow where the required-in-Virginia front plate will eventually go and ordered a reversible cargo mat.
I bought a small motion activated Led light that I installed in my glove box. It comes on as soon as the glove box is opened, then shuts off after it's closed. I mounted it on the right wall of the glove box with the self-stick mounting bracket. It was $8.99 for three lights, works great.
Amazon.com: Motion Sensor Light
spaying the "chrome" tan runners a metallic black or matte black.
The Subaru Forester was my top choice after internet research. We drove it back to back with the Santa Fe; both top end trims. All the online reviews said the Subie was quiet and had a good ride. Maybe compared to last version. but we did not like it. Very slow and the CVT induced engine whine was annoying. Like stepping on the gas and having a blender start but still move slowly. I thought it was OK for city errands. I asked my wife if she would take it for trips longer than an hour. She said no, I agreed.- a friend told me I blew it looking at Jeep Cherokee, the Compass was much better. But to me Compass is much smaller inside, no comparison (and Cherokee much smaller than SF but I do like their Pentastar V6).
- I had heard I shuda driven a Subie Forester vs the Outback. Maybe I blew it, the Forester seemed very roomy like a Santa Fe. Still need to deal with the CVT, but a great AWD system in Forester. However no problems with SF AWD and used AWD-LOCK multiple times this winter on snowy icey county roads just fine.
- Kia Sorento. Interior was 90% the same as a Santa Fe, only the center console & info screen seemed different. The high end model was $48,000, about $10k more than the Santa Fe. Seemed to be mainly for the V6 & a 3rd row seat. I liked it but not for that much more money, might have liked the V6 but not a 3rd row.
- RAV4. There were three 2019 models at the show. I thought if I'd been able to wait a few more months I might have bought one: I own a Camry and Toyota's jacked up their reliable 2.5L engine to 200 hp in RAV4. But the SUV really felt small to me vs the Santa Fe. No regrets at this point w/SF, we'll see in 8 years.
Bottom line: I got in my Santa Fe to drive home. The new car smell is mostly gone but I'm still very satisfied with this purchase vs competition I didn't even compare last Fall.