Los Angeles—
As always, the real Hyundai story is about sales, not product. Last year Hyundai sold 375,119 vehicles, yet another increase of nearly fifty percent over the year before. This is quite a change from 1998, when the Korean manufacturer sold just 90,217 cars in the U.S., and dealers were giving back franchises quicker than Hyundai Motor America could hand them out. The turnaround has come thanks to Hyundai's innovative 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and 100,000-mile road side assistance program, which has made the Korean company the choice of those shopping for entry-level vehicles, where durability and reliability are key features.
As far as Hyundai is concerned, the revised 2004 Sante Fe's keynote is the Hyundai-designed and -built DOHC 3.5-liter V-6, which produces 195 hp at 5500 rpm and 219 lb-ft at 3500 rpm and works through a five-speed automatic. The 3.5-liter V-6 replaces the 2.7-liter V-6, which was originally specified because it delivered car-like fuel efficiency in this segment of the SUV market.
As far as we're concerned, the most important new feature of Sante Fe is actually the introduction as optional equipment of Borg-Warner's InterActive Torque Management four-wheel-drive system.... Read full article