2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlights

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe receives a significant mid-cycle refresh, bringing many updates to enhance its appeal in the competitive midsize SUV segment. This model year introduces several improvements in design, technology, and safety features.

Key updates for the 2017 model year include:

• Restyled front and rear exterior, including new headlights and taillights
• Updated wheel designs across the lineup
• Addition of a drive mode selector with Normal, Eco, and Sport settings
• New standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Introduction of advanced safety features as optional equipment
• Revised trim levels and feature packaging

Key Details

• Midsize crossover SUV body style
• Three-row (Santa Fe) or two-row (Santa Fe Sport) seating
• Three engine options across the lineup
• Available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD)
• Refreshed exterior and interior design

Benefits

• Spacious and well-designed interior
• Powerful engine options, especially in Sport 2.0T models
• Improved technology features
• Enhanced safety with newly available advanced driver aids
• Versatile cargo space

Related: Which used year model of Hyundai Santa Fe is the best value?

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Overview

Performance

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe offers three engine options across its lineup:

2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (Santa Fe Sport base model):

• 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque
• Available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive

2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (Santa Fe Sport 2.0T):

• 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque
• Available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive

3.3-liter V6 engine (three-row Santa Fe):

• 290 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque
• Available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive

All engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode.

The base 2.4-liter engine provides adequate power for daily driving, while the turbocharged 2.0-liter offers a more spirited performance. The V6 in the three-row model delivers strong acceleration and ample power for highway passing and merging.

Towing capacity varies by engine and configuration:

• Santa Fe Sport: Up to 3,500 pounds (when properly equipped)
• Three-row Santa Fe: Up to 5,000 pounds (when properly equipped)

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) didn’t evaluate the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2017 Santa Fe a Top Safety Pick+, its highest honor, when equipped with front crash prevention and upgraded headlights.

Standard safety features across all 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe models include:

• Seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag
• Vehicle stability management (VSM) system
• Electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control system (TCS)
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD)
• Rearview camera

For 2017, Hyundai has expanded the availability of advanced safety features. Now optional on select trims are:

• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Surround-view monitor
• Automatic high beams

Driving

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a driving experience that balances comfort with capable handling, making it well-suited for daily commuting and longer family trips. The refreshed model brings several improvements that enhance its on-road manners.

The newly introduced drive mode selector allows drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance characteristics to their preferences or driving conditions. Standard mode provides a balanced mix of performance and efficiency, Eco mode optimizes fuel economy, and Sport mode sharpens throttle response and steering feel for a more engaging drive.

Ride quality is a strong point for the Santa Fe. The suspension does a commendable job of absorbing road imperfections, providing a smooth and composed ride even on rougher surfaces. This comfort-oriented tuning doesn't come at the expense of handling, as the Santa Fe maintains reasonable body control during cornering.

Interior

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe interior continues to impress with its spacious design, quality materials, and practical features. The refresh for this model year brings subtle improvements that enhance the cabin experience.

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe interior features include:

• Available leather seating surfaces
• Power-adjustable driver's seat (8-way on lower trims, 12-way on higher trims)
• Available heated and ventilated front seats
• Available heated second-row seats
• Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control (standard on three-row models)

The Santa Fe's front seats offer good comfort and support, with ample adjustability to accommodate drivers of various sizes. The second row provides generous legroom and headroom, with the ability to slide and recline for added comfort or cargo flexibility. The third row in the three-row model suits children or occasional adults on short trips. The two-row Santa Fe Sport offers a more spacious cargo area than the third row.

Cargo space is competitive for the class:

• Santa Fe Sport: 35.4 cubic feet behind the second row, 71.5 cubic feet with rear seats folded
• Three-row Santa Fe: 13.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 40.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, 80 cubic feet with both rear rows folded

Technology

The refresh for the 2017 model year brings several notable improvements to Santa Fe's tech offerings that include:

• New standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Available 8-inch touchscreen with navigation
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Bluetooth hands-free phone system with audio streaming
• Available Infinity premium audio system with 12 speakers
• Dual USB ports
• Available wireless device charging

Additional technology features available on higher trims include:

• Hands-free smart liftgate with auto-open
• Panoramic sunroof
• Hyundai Blue Link telematics system
• Heated steering wheel
• Electroluminescent gauge cluster with color LCD display

Fuel Economy

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe's fuel economy varies depending on the engine and drivetrain configuration. EPA fuel economy estimates are as follows:

Santa Fe Sport (2.4-liter four-cylinder):

FWD (mpg): 21 city / 27 highway / 24 combined

AWD (mpg): 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined

Santa Fe Sport (2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder):

FWD (mpg): 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined

AWD (mpg): 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined

Three-row Santa Fe (3.3-liter V6):

FWD (mpg): 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined

AWD (mpg): 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe consumer reviews on Kelley Blue Book are generally positive, with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 (4.5 for the Santa Fe Sport). These family-friendly SUVs get good marks for quality, value, reliability, and comfort.

Reasons to Buy It

• Comfortable and flexible interior
• Two-row (Santa Fe Sport) or three-row (Santa Fe) seating
• Updated technology
• Refreshed exterior

Problems

• Fuel economy isn’t as competitive as some rivals
• Third-row seating in the three-row model is tight for adults
• Some advanced safety features are only available on higher trims
• Infotainment system may feel less intuitive than some competitors
• Handling isn’t as sporty as some rivals in the segment

Explore: Which Years of Used Hyundai Santa Fe Sports Are Most Reliable?

CoPilot's Take

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe represents a solid choice in the midsize SUV segment, offering a compelling blend of comfort, practicality, and value. The refresh for this model year addresses some of the previous drawbacks and brings welcome updates in design and technology.

The Santa Fe's most vital points are its spacious and well-designed interior, powerful engine options (particularly in the Sport 2.0T), and comprehensive warranty coverage. Adding a standard 7-inch touchscreen and the availability of advanced safety features enhance its appeal and competitiveness in the segment.

The Santa Fe's various configurations, from the two-row Sport to the three-row model, allows it to cater to a wide range of buyer needs.

However, the Santa Fe isn't without its compromises. While its fuel economy is reasonable, it falls short of some more efficient rivals. The larger model's third-row seating is tight for adults, a common issue in this class but worth noting for those who frequently transport larger groups.

Although comfortable and predictable, the driving experience may not satisfy those seeking a more engaging or sporty feel. Some competitors offer sharper handling and more responsive powertrains.

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Price

The three-row 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is available in four trims:

• 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE
• 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
• 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Ultimate
• 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate

The two-row 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport comes in Sport, Sport 2.0T, and Sport 2.0T Ultimate.

• The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe price starts at $3,000 and goes up to $27,995, depending on trim, condition, and mileage.