All-New 2019 Santa Fe SUV impresses with terrific road manners and more.

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The Hyundai Santa Fe is new for 2019 with bolder design, wider stance, longer body, larger spaces and new or improved amenities and convenience features throughout their fourth generation five-passenger SUV.

Our partner had attended the introduction of the 2019 Santa Fe several months ago and, on her return, raved about how much improved it was – both standing still and moving down the highway.  We put it on our list to test as soon as one was available.  

Turns out, ‘as always’, my partner was right.

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2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.0T AWD

Earlier this Spring, Hyundai loaned us a top-trim-level Ultimate to road-trip from Lake Travis to Rockport Fulton on the Gulf. Our purpose – in addition to a real-world test of the new Santa Fe – was to attend their annual ‘Spring Fling’ get-together that showcases the area as a premier recreation destination along the Coastal Bend of Texas.  More about that later.

Traveling nearly 500 miles on this four-day trip, the all-new Santa Fe five-passenger SUV seriously impressed with its comfort, convenience, power and road manners.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Priced delivered at $39,900, our Santa Fe had everything we wanted” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

Priced delivered at $39,900, our Santa Fe had everything we wanted and then some.  Starting with the awesome 2.0T turbo delivering 235 horsepower with 260 lb.-ft. of torque and mated to a brand new 8 speed automatic with Shiftronic, downshift rev-matching and Smart Cruise Control – this baby flew down the highway. 

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Lots to Like

Equipped with their HTRAC AWD Select drive system featuring SMART, COMFORT and SPORT modes and running on 19-inch alloy wheels mounted with 235/55R19 All-Season tires – this Santa Fe owned the roads between here and there

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”The fuel economy for the turbo is rated 19/24 mpg city/highway and 21 combined” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

The fuel economy for the turbo is rated 19/24 mpg city/highway and 21 combined.  Pedal down and running hard (drive mode COMFORT going down and SMART coming back) we recorded a whopping 23.9 mpg including three-days of Coastal Bend area driving.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Some of the real great features noted” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

Some of the real great features noted were the seriously supportive and comfortable leather heated and ventilated 8-way power seating, heated rear seats, customizable 8-inch full-color head-up display, longer front console with repositioned forward cup holders, cargo room galore (35.9 cubic feet behind the second row) plus a compartment below the rear cargo deck,  Panoramic Power Sunroof, side window shades and power points everywhere. 

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Of special note was the LED lighting which turn night into day ” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]

Of special note was the LED lighting which turn night into day along the coastal highways, the extended driver and passenger seat cushions for extra thigh support on a long drive and the 12-speaker 630-watt Infinity Premium Audio system with Clari-Fi supported by Smart Speed-Dependent Volume Control for uninterrupted audio enjoyment.

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Technology and Infotainment

We noted right off that the 8-inch audio/NAV system screen is now angled and tilted slightly to the driver to avoid glare and making it easier to manage for the driver.  Key elements included SiriusXM and HD Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth handsfree system, Qi wireless smartphone charging, the Hyundai Blue Link Connected Car system and more.

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Safety

Our Santa Fe featured the full complement of standard Hyundai Smart Sense technologies available. 

Included are High Beam Assist, Smart Cruise Control w/Stop & Go, Forward Collision-Avoidance w/Pedestrian Detection, Blindspot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision – Avoidance Assist and Rear-View Camera with Parking Guidance.

Also, standard was their new Safe Exit Assist system (SEA) that uses radar to detect approaching vehicles and issue a warning to exiting passengers.

Rounding out the features on our Santa Fe were the optional Surround View Monitor System, Parking Distance Warning Reverse, Rear Occupant Alert, Tire Pressure Monitoring and Driver Attention Warning – a neat feature that really works on those long straight stretches of highway.

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Santa Fe lineup for 2019

The two-row Santa Fe for 2019 comes in five trim levels SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and Ultimate.  Prices begin at MSRP $24,500 for a Front Wheel Drive version equipped with the 2.4L naturally aspirated powerplant and 8-speed automatic with downshift rev-matching. 

Prices are: SE $24,500, SEL $25,850, SEL Plus $28,050, Limited $31,700 and Ultimate $34,600.

Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD system is available on all trim levels for an additional $1,700.   

The 2.0T Twin Scroll Turbocharged engine (upcharge $2,900) is available on the top-of-the-line Limited and Ultimate trims.

You can build a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe at a trim level that fits your needs by going here:  https://www.hyundaiusa.com/santa-fe/index.aspx

If you need a three-row for seven-passengers, check out the 2019 Santa Fe XL here:  https://www.hyundaiusa.com/santa-fe-xl/index.aspx

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Rockport-Fulton – True Grit Texas Style

Rockport-Fulton and Aransas County – a favorite coastal destination – were “ground zero’ for Hurricane Harvey in August of 2017.  The area took a direct hit from the eyewall of the Category 4 hurricane (winds 130-156 mph) – leaving devastation that was incomprehensible. 

Directly experiencing the first hurricane to hit the mid-coastal area since 1970 (no hurricane as intense since Carla in 1961), this community showed grit and tenacity of the highest order in rebounding.

The Rockport-Fulton community did not wait for help.  They marshaled their resources and began a massive effort to rebuild and return their area to being a favorite Coastal Bend recreation destination.    

We can tell you they have done that, but we will let USA Today tell you instead.

USA Today, earlier this year, named Rockport-Fulton to their Top-Ten list of favorite Coastal Small Towns.  In fact, they finished second in the balloting to Sandusky, Ohio. We’ve been there, Rockport-Fulton wins in our book, hands down.

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Plan to visit Rockport-Fulton and experience the Gulf at its best.  Taking that trip in a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will make it even better.

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