I think you need to consider more than just the 'looks'. We haven't seen many of the specs on this new vehicle, and if you've been reading this thread back not too far, you'll find that there are reasons for some concern over what may have been done to the 2013 design. You know, it may turn out that you've got the last Santa Fe year that has decent ground clearance. Could be your rear visibility will be the best it will ever be vs. anything new off the line. You're too hung up on having the latest and greatest, when that's not always the bestest.

 

+1
Like I mentioned previously, new models (either from Hyundai or others) are coming out all the time. If you keep waiting because another one is coming out soon, you will never buy. Buy the one that best suit your needs that you can afford and don't look back or you'll never enjoy the money you already spent on a great vehicle.

 

One thing you could do is try to sell it privately. Check with the dealership how much they would give you if you were to trade it and then see how much you can ask for it privately. Still won't recoup all your money but you should take less of a hit that way. Just make sure you include the sale tax in your calculation if applies (up here in Canada, sales tax is calculated after removing the value of the trade in so it does affect the overall total after tax)

 

Thank you everyone for your support and suggestions. I truly value each and every one of them. I'm in tears reading the replies. I feel so much better thanks to everyone. I've really been down in the dumps over all of this. But I'm seeing the "light at the end of the tunnel" thanks to this forum and all the positive feedback you all have given me. Tedrik, I did feel guilty thinking about trading 'her' in. I get attached to my cars and felt like a traitor. Had another positive thing happen this afternoon. I did stop at a Ford dealership which was on my way home. Just wanted to see for myself what a dope I am. I pulled up to a Ford Edge. Very nice, very expensive. A saleswoman asked me if I needed any help. Before I could answer she said "I love your car, it's so nice". I then told her my story and she just kept saying how much she loved my car. She has a 2007 Santa Fe but has had trouble with the gas gage since she got it used several years ago. But she still loves the looks. She didn't try to sell me a Ford or even test drive one. You would think she was a Hyundai dealer. We talked for a long time. When I left, she told me again how beautiful my car is. I'm so glad I stopped there. And then when I got home and read everyone's reply, I'm feeling pretty good! You all are so special.

 

"Change is inevitable, progress is optional" (author unknown)

Some of us are disappointed in the 2013 Santa Fe (iX45) because some of the changes are putting the vehicle in a different sub-category which doesn't suit our needs. We have to save actual decisions until the full details are released but I for one am thinking about retaining my 2011 Santa Fe rather than buy one of the new versions.

So newer isn't necessarily better - anyway by the time the 2013 gets into showrooms we'll all be speculating on the changes expected in the 2016 facelift ! The cycle of change is continuous so don't always keep wanting the next version otherwise you'd never buy anything!

 

"Change is inevitable, progress is optional" (author unknown)

Some of us are disappointed in the 2013 Santa Fe (iX45) because some of the changes are putting the vehicle in a different sub-category which doesn't suit our needs. We have to save actual decisions until the full details are released but I for one am thinking about retaining my 2011 Santa Fe rather than buy one of the new versions.

So newer isn't necessarily better - anyway by the time the 2013 gets into showrooms we'll all be speculating on the changes expected in the 2016 facelift ! The cycle of change is continuous so don't always keep wanting the next version otherwise you'd never buy anything!

My dissappointment began when I realized the design hadn't changed in five years and now I owned an "old" Santa Fe. When I did my research before purchasing, I could see only the camoflague pictures on the internet and wasn't concerned. I saw a rendering and thought it looked more of a sporty design. Saw more pictures and it looked different. So confusing. I don't purchase a car very often so I wanted to make sure I made the right decision. There's so many choices out there. I wasn't in a position that I had to have a car since my Endeavor was doing just fine. That was one car I never got tired of. I had a 4 Runner prior that I had leased for 5 years. But I have always liked the looks of the Santa Fe. That's how I came to my decision.
The new design won't please everyone. Some want the third row seating, some don't. I don't need that since my children are grown. Some want a more powerful engine, I'm fine with my 4 cylinder. Soon it will be uncovered at the Auto Show on April 4 with more information. Having a 2011, I would really have to love the 2013 to update 2 years. My friend has had two Santa Fe's. I'm finding that a lot of people keep buying them. I'm curious about the ground clearance of the 2013. Wouldn't want it any lower than the 8.1 inches. It's just a waiting game, but I'm not in a position to change at this point. I would lose at least $4,000 if I would buy a Chevy, Ford, etc. now or even wait for the 2013 Santa Fe. I could do it if I really wanted to, but is it worth the money? I'll be happy for those that love the 2013 and are in a position to purchase it. Thanks RT

 

Let me tell you a story: When I was 11 years old my gramps bought me a new bicycle so I could ride it to high school. I had an older bike that was in need of a lot of TLC. I drove with gramps to the store on my old bike and traded it to get the new bike... It was black... that is all I want to say. It did not have three speeds, it had only one. I think he must have seen the disappointment in my face and the tears I tried to hide. He asked me: What is wrong? I looked up, smiled and said: Thanks gramps, you are the best!
I learned to love that bike over the years.
My "friends" were a little bit less enthusiastic about the bike and I was to ride at the back of the pack... So be it... Winter came three of those friends could no longer ride their bike because parts were freezing or got covered in ice.. For 4 years I rode that bike 12km to school and 12km back home, in snow, wind, rain and now one of my best friends still rides it since I moved away from The Netherlands.
Fast forward 35 years.... I studied all cars, I read books and I finally after 4 months in my man-cave made a decision. I drive a car until it tells me it is time to replace it, like when big repair costs are coming I put in the numbers and look at the cost of ownership. Like this year my Ford Taurus needed new tires, it needed some overhauling of the suspension and it is 8 years young. My friends always wondered why I bought a Taurus SE with only 150hp - well that is what I could afford and that was after a lot of studying the current market. Another vehicle that was taken off the market.... The new Ford 500 and Fusion were revealed... So.... so what?!
Almost 8 years and about 100k miles later I can honestly say that this car has cost me < 800 bucks in maintenance cost a year. I studied over the winter months knowing that I would probably look for a new vehicle, something that would fit in our family. It had to be safe and cost efficient... So here I am - ordered a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe - well knowing that the new model is to be revealed and looks sleeker...
It also has new engines and a lot of different things. And so I look to the picture of gramps and smile and think back to the days where I learned those valuable lessons to be conservative enough to go the extra mile. I don't need all the new stuff, in 2020 there will be another new car or maybe sooner we will look for a new car for my wife and again we will look at all the angles. We need to learn to be happy with the choices we make in life or sometimes with the choices someone else makes for us. I call that Gratitude!

Al

 

Let me tell you a story: When I was 11 years old my gramps bought me a new bicycle so I could ride it to high school. I had an older bike that was in need of a lot of TLC. I drove with gramps to the store on my old bike and traded it to get the new bike... It was black... that is all I want to say. It did not have three speeds, it had only one. I think he must have seen the disappointment in my face and the tears I tried to hide. He asked me: What is wrong? I looked up, smiled and said: Thanks gramps, you are the best!
I learned to love that bike over the years.
My "friends" were a little bit less enthusiastic about the bike and I was to ride at the back of the pack... So be it... Winter came three of those friends could no longer ride their bike because parts were freezing or got covered in ice.. For 4 years I rode that bike 12km to school and 12km back home, in snow, wind, rain and now one of my best friends still rides it since I moved away from The Netherlands.
Fast forward 35 years.... I studied all cars, I read books and I finally after 4 months in my man-cave made a decision. I drive a car until it tells me it is time to replace it, like when big repair costs are coming I put in the numbers and look at the cost of ownership. Like this year my Ford Taurus needed new tires, it needed some overhauling of the suspension and it is 8 years young. My friends always wondered why I bought a Taurus SE with only 150hp - well that is what I could afford and that was after a lot of studying the current market. Another vehicle that was taken off the market.... The new Ford 500 and Fusion were revealed... So.... so what?!
Almost 8 years and about 100k miles later I can honestly say that this car has cost me < 800 bucks in maintenance cost a year. I studied over the winter months knowing that I would probably look for a new vehicle, something that would fit in our family. It had to be safe and cost efficient... So here I am - ordered a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe - well knowing that the new model is to be revealed and looks sleeker...
It also has new engines and a lot of different things. And so I look to the picture of gramps and smile and think back to the days where I learned those valuable lessons to be conservative enough to go the extra mile. I don't need all the new stuff, in 2020 there will be another new car or maybe sooner we will look for a new car for my wife and again we will look at all the angles. We need to learn to be happy with the choices we make in life or sometimes with the choices someone else makes for us. I call that Gratitude!

Al

Loved your story. It's these little lessons in life that make us who we are. And you are a grateful, humble person. Your family is very lucky to have you in their lifes. If only we could teach our children these days those lessons. Your story made me cry, thinking back about my childhood.

You thought about everything you needed and wanted before making your purchase and remembering that lesson you learned many years ago. I'm so happy for you. You are a very special person. I admire you for keeping that lesson throughout your life.
Judy

 

I don't understand the issue in North America over 5/7 seats - this sounds like Hyundai making a rod for their own back.

The 2013 iX45 (Santa Fe) is expected to retain the option of 5 or 7 seats on RoW versions, after all the 5-seat model is just a 7-seat with an extra load compartment in place of the 3rd row seats.

Having the option of 5 or 7 seats at time of purchase must surely bring in more customers - it's not like there's a development cost because it's designed as a 7-seater.

 

Or... may be it is exit Veracruz? Look at Mazda - CX5 - exit CX7.... ^_^

 

@Ruperts
It's a vehicle/gas price/cultural/use model thing. We do tend to run larger vehicles here than you do there. The rear seats in a 7 are pretty tight, and if we want to run a crowd that big around on a regular basis, it is our tendency to opt for a mini-van with the additional space, and until recently (ugh) we were willing to tolerate the somewhat lower gas mileage that implies. We don't tend to use vehicles as small as people movers on any regular basis. The 'soccer moms' need space for the whole posse of kids PLUS all of their gear, coolers, etc.

We had the 5/7 option here for a while, but you'd be surprised at how few of the 7 seaters you see on the road. Here, the use model that drives one to buying an SUV will often include the need for a fair bit more storage space in the rear than is available in the 7.

 

2013 SantaFe will have 2 body types, short & long body.
- Short body 5 / 7(option) seats will be released April 2012 in Korea.
- Long body 7 seats version will be released at the end of 2012 in Korea.
And Veracruz will be discontinued.

Diesel e-VGT R 2.0, 2.2 (Korea, Europe)
Gas 2.4GDi(Korea), 2.0Turbo(US, 274HP), 3.5 (US, 276HP) <--- Gas engine not clear yet
2WD or 4WD
6 Automatic
17,18 or 19 inch wheel

We'll see details at New York motor show on April 6

 

2013 SantaFe will have 2 body types, short & long body.
- Short body 5 / 7(option) seats will be released April 2012 in Korea.
- Long body 7 seats version will be released at the end of 2012 in Korea.
And Veracruz will be discontinued.

Diesel e-VGT R 2.0, 2.2 (Korea, Europe)
Gas 2.4GDi(Korea), 2.0Turbo(US, 274HP), 3.5 (US, 276HP) <--- Gas engine not clear yet
2WD or 4WD
6 Automatic
17,18 or 19 inch wheel

We'll see details at New York motor show on April 6

Wow, I like that full sun roof.

 

Any rumor if we will get the LED tails or short body 7 seat option in the US? Also any anticipated US release date? Also I really really hope it has some cool intererior blue accent lighting like the Azera.

 

LED front & rear lamps are standard for all trims in Korea.
that means 99% the same "LED" lamps in US.

7 seats of short body must be in US of course.

First SF will be delivered to Korean market on April 20 2012.
No idea about US release date.

Smart phone application.
2 years subscription free in Korea. ($170 per year in US??)
With smartphone, you can do these;
remote start / air-condition and heater control / open close doors
vehicle location horn, phone map / theft notice, trace
/ airbag explosion notice / maintenance schedule report
etc...

 

Thank you so much sn20202020 I really appreciate it. Very much looking forward to this new Santa Fe, if you have any more tid bits, feel free to share. You shared some info that I cannot find anywhere yet, it is much appreciated.

 

6speed automatic gearbox? wtf - 8 or 9 trannys are in a market and this new beauty will be only equiped with the old 6 speed? I hope this is not true ...

 

There aren't many 8/9 speed automatics at Hyundai's price level in the market - if any !

 

optional girls I hope

 

Link 1

Link 2

 

Interior pictures look very classy and upscale. They really put a lot of R&D into this new Santa Fe!!! Look how brilliant and large the nav screen model will be. I'm sure we will lose the color LCD screen between the speedometer and tach, but I don't think we will lose too much else. Hopefully the LED tail lights and some mood lighting are on the US model. Thank you for sharing omoderncultureo!

 

Great info, Thx for sharing.
It looks like an evolution from an already good interior design.
Just hope the fog light indicator and trip buttons have been moved to a visible place.
I like the top box seems to be still there like the CM.

So far so good

 

Have a couple of questions...just purchased the 2012 4 weeks ago today. I noticed there is, looks like white tape, on the outside bottom of each rear passenger door. I can't find anything in the manual on this. Also, I saw a video showing there's a storage box on the dash where the speaker is. Also said had 4 cup holders in the front. It was a video for a 2012. There's no storage box or 4 cup holders in the front. The "white tape" might be reflectors? Thanks! Judy

 

I believe that if you have the Infinity Sound System, the storage box on the top of the dash is replaced by an extra speaker.

As for the 4 cup holders: 2 in the center console, 1 in each front door. Same applies for the 4 rear cup holders.

 

DM Details

Looks good if all markets get this spec level - Can anyone translate Korean?

http://gallery.search.zum.com/search.zum?query=%EC%8B%BC%ED%83%80%ED%8E%98dm&method=gallery&option=date&in=1&li=http%3A%2F%2Fbbs2.agora.media.daum.net%2Fgaia%2Fdo%2Fkin%2Fread%3FbbsId%3DK157%26articleId%3D97564&pu=2%EC%8B%9C%EA%B0%84%EC%A0%84&ct=&im=http%3A%2F%2Fcfile38.uf.daum.net%2Fimage%2F126FB1394F726C49010186&tn=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.search.daumcdn.net%2Fimage03.search%2F03%2FMrIJJlCLHLzbjrvqVGWG00kweE2BLnorS7SFmyCOFTM&wi=398&he=346&tl=%EC%8B%BC%ED%83%80%ED%8E%98dm%20%EB%84%A4%EB%B9%84%EC%9C%A0!%EB%AC%B4!%20%EB%B9%84%EA%B5%90%20%EC%9D%B4%EB%AF%B8%EC%A7%80&

 

My 2011 SF to UK spec has clear plastic patches on the rear lower corners of the rear doors - I presume to protect the paint from flying stones.

 

That might just be the answer. Mine is white like the paint color, not clear. Glad to know I wasn't the only one with those patches. Thanks so much Ruperts Trooper!

 

From what I have seen so far this is one sweet looking ride! It will be shown next week at the NY show so I am sure there will be some coverage of the introduction. Love the new interior and the dash layout is great! With that screen it reminds me of my 06 Murano. Back up camera would also be a great addition. Compared it to the new Tuscon and it looks alot like this vehicle just larger. Also looks lower to the road as well and more into the CUV styling. Rumor has it that the 2.2L turbo will be the std engine and 3.5 optional.
Once the vehicle is introduced at the show next week the specs I am sure will hit the Hyundai website.
Well I will be due for new one in 2013 but for now it is time to get a fresh coat of wax on my 2010. So it is off to the garage for some TLC.

So far looks great!! Thanks to all of those that have posted the great spy shots.

 

Also looks lower to the road as well

I hope not - I need 200mm (8") ground clearance minimum.

 

Agreed, Ruperts. It sounds like a great many people buy high profile vehicles because they like to feel 'elevated', not because it gets the bits and pieces underneath any further from the pavement .. to whom I say, please purchase a sedan and leave my SF alone!

I struggle with the idea of buying a vehicle with such a high profile (and considerably lesser than optimum gas mileage that results) if you don't care about ground clearance.

 

RT, do they sell the Suzuki Grand Vitara in England? It's got 7.4" of ground clearance, and with an integrated full frame is apparently a solid and very competent off-road machine. Over here it is widely overlooked, which makes slightly-used specimens a bargain.

 

Yes - the Suzuki Grand Vitara is on sale here - but it's smaller inside than a iX35/Tucson and doesn't have 7 seats or 8" ground clearance. We still need/get the 7-seat option on Santa Fe in the UK as we don't get iX55/Veracruz here.

Full frame isn't a pre-requisite for a SUV in Europe - the top-end models do have full-frame, like Toyota LC (Prado), LR Discovery (LR3) and Range Rover - but I don't need their ultimate off-road capability nor the hit on my wallet.

 

I agree that 8" ground clearance appears to be a sweet spot. 8" tends to prevent you from ever plowing snow, 8" tends to be over the depth of any nasty puddles that form during flooding, 8" tends to be (just barely) sufficient for the nasty rutted trails out at the hunting camp (but still need to be super careful due to lack of skid plate).

Remember 8" clearance on an IRS is not necessarily the same thing as 8" clearance on a live rear axle vehicle. Those solid axles move the whole axle (differential included) up when going over a bump or obstacle of some sort, so the 8" can become 9" or 10". IRS will just scrape the bottom.

In summary I completely agree with the idea of having a solid 8" ground clearance as a good standard for a very capable all-around vehicle.

 

Remember 8" clearance on an IRS is not necessarily the same thing as 8" clearance on a live rear axle vehicle.

Amen to that. I am also constantly amazed at 'ground clearance' numbers on IRS vehicles that don't take into account the diagonal links that drop darned near to the ground at the rear wheels. There are a lot of vehicles out there where, just inside the rears, the ground clearance is just a few inches. The Grand Vitera mentioned above isn't as bad as some of the others, but it's still losing a lot of clearance to the rear suspension:

 

Santa Fe DM - Video Listing of Features

 

... for the Asian market. As we have experienced in all previous releases, what is actually available varies across the world (especially engines!)

Now, bring on the specs!

 

There seems to be three major variations in specifications:- Asia, North America and Europe but even within that there are multiple minor variations in specification by country.

This is something that Japanese and Korean manufacturers do well but American and European manufacturers are fairly poor at.