Gates Hyundai of Richmond

     Before the SUV came the wagon. Its basic purpose: to carry more cargo than a sedan while using similar amounts of space and natural resources. The SUV gained popularity in the '90s because it satisfied a desire for increased room and ruggedness, and offered the all-weather security of four-wheel drive. But as the novelty wore off, drivers missed the maneuverability and efficiency of their cars, and the Crossover Utility Vehicle was born. The idea: combine all-wheel drive and the increased utility of an SUV with the efficiency and maneuverability of a car.
     When setting out to design the Santa Fe, we felt that many crossovers had missed the target. Either they felt too cramped and insubstantial or were car-like in the way they were constructed but not in how they handled. So we decided early on that the Hyundai Santa Fe would need to be designed to deliver on the balance of strengths the CUV was meant to deliver.
Not that we can take credit for the idea; the Santa Fe is the result of thousands of conversations with consumers. In fact, it was the first Hyundai vehicle designed in the U.S. specifically for U.S. market. The response the Santa Fe has received from the press and, more important, its owners, is proof that the extra effort we made did not go unnoticed.

 

     It's true that when it comes to crashes, weight is an advantage. But you can't rely on weight alone for protection, and oftentimes that added heft increases stopping distances and makes for clumsy handling - the last thing you need when trying to avoid an accident.
The Hyundai Santa Fe's no featherweight, and features like its six standard airbags11 and active front head restraints give it the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's vaunted "Top Safety Pick."7 It also earned five-star crash-test ratings in front- and side-impact tests for three years in a row.14 But its standard Electronic Stability Control,5 tidy handling, and intelligent braking systems help prevent you from having to rely on its brute strength alone. 

     Want to learn more about a particular vehicle? Check out our Vehicle Showroom. This allows you to configure the vehicle of your choice while also learning the technical specifications and available features for each model.  Contact our Internet Sales Department at 866-395-1211 or 859-624-1211 and allow us to find or build the vehicle you're seeking.