From 2010 SFE to 2013 SFE - Missing the V6

2460 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Gittyupgo, Sep 17, 2013

6thGear

Discussion Starter · Sep 10, 2013

From 2010 SFE to 2013 SFE - Missing the V6

Hi All:

I'm new to this forum but I've been on the Santa Fe team since 2006.
I own a 2010 Santa Fe Sport (that is AWD 3.5 V6, just in case somebody does not know)
Recently I decided that it was time for me to upgrade to the new 2013 Santa Fe.
This last weekend I visited my Hyundai dealership and went out for a 2013 Santa Fe Sport Limited road test.
I have to say that I was, in advance, a little skeptical about the new 2.0T 4L turbo engine.
I was secretly hoping that at the very last minute Hyundai decided to add a V6 to the Sport as an option, but that never happened.
So I went for the road test with the Santy based on the 2.0T
The vehicle is amazing with a good handling and a superb design inside and out. It really looks pure luxury and not all vehicles that sell under luxury brands could compete with the Santa when it comes to looks.
I have to say the new engine does relative well but not even close to the 3.5 V6 on my 2010 SFE.
It is noisier and despite the torque kicking at such slow RPM as 1,500 the lack of initial push in comparison to the V6 is noticeable. I guess it is the infamous turbo lack.
In addition the gas mileage is pretty much the same if not worse than the 3.5 V6, so there is not gain on that aspect either. With that disappointment in mind I did a second road test this time with the Santa Fe XL.
That was a totally different experience; the 3.3V6 on that baby producing 290HP did the whole trick. That’s what I was talking about! Adding to the mix was the fact that the gas mileage is almost on par with my 3.5V6.
Now, the problem is I do not need such a big vehicle, most of the time it is just my wife and me and of course the price tag is about 4 to 5K more, getting close to the 50K for a limited version (at least here in Canada).
I’m really disappointed that Hyundai dropped off the V6 from the Santa Fe Sport. I guess following the trend of other manufacturers but it was not exactly following other manufacturer’s trends that Hyundai reached the position they currently have on the industry.
Well nothing I can do about it. I really do not want to leave the Santa Fe brand after more than 8 years with them, but I do not have an easy solution in front of me. The Santa Fe I like has (for me) the wrong engine, and the right engine is on a Santa Fe too big and too expensive for me.

I would like to have the inputs of other Santa Fe owners.
Do you have the same concerns when it comes to replacing the V6 for the 2.0T?
For those who own a 2013 Santa Fe with a 2.0T engine. How is your experience with that power train?

Looking forward for your replies.

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Gittyupgo

· #2 · Sep 10, 2013 (Edited)

6thGear said:
From 2010 SFE to 2013 SFE - Missing the V6

Hi All:

I'm new to this forum but I've been on the Santa Fe team since 2006.
I own a 2010 Santa Fe Sport (that is AWD 3.5 V6, just in case somebody does not know)
Recently I decided that it was time for me to upgrade to the new 2013 Santa Fe.
This last weekend I visited my Hyundai dealership and went out for a 2013 Santa Fe Sport Limited road test.
I have to say that I was, in advance, a little skeptical about the new 2.0T 4L turbo engine.
I was secretly hoping that at the very last minute Hyundai decided to add a V6 to the Sport as an option, but that never happened.
So I went for the road test with the Santy based on the 2.0T
The vehicle is amazing with a good handling and a superb design inside and out. It really looks pure luxury and not all vehicles that sell under luxury brands could compete with the Santa when it comes to looks.
I have to say the new engine does relative well but not even close to the 3.5 V6 on my 2010 SFE.
It is noisier and despite the torque kicking at such slow RPM as 1,500 the lack of initial push in comparison to the V6 is noticeable. I guess it is the infamous turbo lack.
In addition the gas mileage is pretty much the same if not worse than the 3.5 V6, so there is not gain on that aspect either. With that disappointment in mind I did a second road test this time with the Santa Fe XL.
That was a totally different experience; the 3.3V6 on that baby producing 290HP did the whole trick. That’s what I was talking about! Adding to the mix was the fact that the gas mileage is almost on par with my 3.5V6.
Now, the problem is I do not need such a big vehicle, most of the time it is just my wife and me and of course the price tag is about 4 to 5K more, getting close to the 50K for a limited version (at least here in Canada).
I’m really disappointed that Hyundai dropped off the V6 from the Santa Fe Sport. I guess following the trend of other manufacturers but it was not exactly following other manufacturer’s trends that Hyundai reached the position they currently have on the industry.
Well nothing I can do about it. I really do not want to leave the Santa Fe brand after more than 8 years with them, but I do not have an easy solution in front of me. The Santa Fe I like has (for me) the wrong engine, and the right engine is on a Santa Fe too big and too expensive for me.

I would like to have the inputs of other Santa Fe owners.
Do you have the same concerns when it comes to replacing the V6 for the 2.0T?
For those who own a 2013 Santa Fe with a 2.0T engine. How is your experience with that power train?

Looking forward for your replies.

I`ll try to give you some input based on my feelings and experience, after 11 months of ownership of a 2.0T FWD:

No question that a V-6 would have more kick than a I-4 with no turbo kicking in....and that the '6' will have more get-up and go over the full RPM range...Coming from that V-6 to the 2.0T has to be a 'let-down' for you.

One of the concerns with some 2.0T owners is that the power band is not broad enough for their liking....For me however, it gives me all the punch I could want when making a high speed merge, or over-taking and passing a long line of traffic. The turbo torque seems to end around 3300-3500 RPM...given that at 60 MPH, the RPM`s are only about 1900, that leaves a lot of turbo punch left to hit 80ish, quickly.

Back in the cold months when I first got it, my combined MPG was averaging 21-23.....Now with warm weather, summer gas, and 9,000 miles on the clock, my combined MPG is 25-27...Pure highway driving now nets me 30.8....That`s figured pencil & paper, not the on board computer, which is always more optimistic.

Engine noise?....Sometimes it`s so quiet when at a red light, etc, I have to check the tach to see if it`s still running.

The tranny shifts smooth and quietly, no complaints there.

How many 2.0T did you test drive, and were they AWD or FWD?

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wetamup2013

· #3 · Sep 11, 2013

Automakers chasing economy standards are going smaller with their engines, which may sometimes sacrifice performance. Personally I think the SFS has the right balance of speed and economy, but I understand how you feel.

My daily driver is a V6 sedan, so when I hop into our 2.4L SFS, I instantly notice the lack of low-end kick (though I think the 2.0 is worse when it's not into the boost, the lag was very noticeable). However, when I drive 300-something miles per tank in the SFS, mostly city miles lately, and only have to put in $40-something dollars at the gas pumps, I don't complain.

My sedan gets between 250-290 miles to a tank and it costs over $50/tank (premium fuel only, it sucks), so I welcome this kind of mileage in a 3600-lb. vehicle. Not to mention, even the much slower 2.4L (we test-drove both models, but the 2.4L they had at the lot had everything else we wanted) still manages to get down after a while.

Maintenance-wise, four cylinder engines are easier to work on than V6's, but when it comes to speed, there's no replacement for displacement (though turbos come close). If you're really wanting more response and/or power after driving the turbo four, check out the Genesis Coupe forums to see what those guys are doing to boost performance, since that engine is the same as ours.

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6thGear

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 12, 2013

Thanks all for your inputs.

I did some extra tests.
I drove a 2013 SF with the 2.5 4L (no turbo)
I went to a Ford dealership and I took for a road test an Escape with a similar 2.0T engine.
Finally I get back into the SFE with the 2.0T

Final result, the SF3 with the 2.0T provides the best performance (got more ponies than the Ford and it is noticeable) and obviously the 2.5 4L has the best fuel consumption.
I tested the 2.5 4L just for comparison not that I have any idea of getting that power train.

The SFE 2.0T all in all is actually not that bad, specially on the highway. It lacks the initial pushing power of the V6 but the torque a low RPM does it works compensating that in some grade.

I still have to make my mind and see if I spend the extra bucks and get the SFE XL.
I really wish that Hyundai were offering a V6 with the SFE Sport as GW does with the Equinox.

Cheers,

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Gittyupgo

· #5 · Sep 12, 2013

6thGear said:
Thanks all for your inputs.

I did some extra tests.
I drove a 2013 SF with the 2.5 4L (no turbo)
I went to a Ford dealership and I took for a road test an Escape with a similar 2.0T engine.
Finally I get back into the SFE with the 2.0T

Final result, the SF3 with the 2.0T provides the best performance (got more ponies than the Ford and it is noticeable) and obviously the 2.5 4L has the best fuel consumption.
I tested the 2.5 4L just for comparison not that I have any idea of getting that power train.

The SFE 2.0T all in all is actually not that bad, specially on the highway. It lacks the initial pushing power of the V6 but the torque a low RPM does it works compensating that in some grade.

I still have to make my mind and see if I spend the extra bucks and get the SFE XL.
I really wish that Hyundai were offering a V6 with the SFE Sport as GW does with the Equinox.

Cheers,

Is it worth waiting to see if a 6 is on the horizon in the SFS, or are you like me?...I get the new car buying bug every 3-4 years, and there`s no stopping me...Drives my wife crazy..

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6thGear

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 13, 2013

Gittyupgo said:
Is it worth waiting to see if a 6 is on the horizon in the SFS, or are you like me?...I get the new car buying bug every 3-4 years, and there`s no stopping me...Drives my wife crazy..

It is funny because exactly the same happens to me and to my wife for that matter.

Every 3-4 year I get the “urge” for a new vehicle and yes… nothing stops me.

I was hoping Hyundai would have the Sport with a V6 for the 2014 model but it does not look that way. I know they need to sell a lot of these 2.0T engines because they put a lot of money on their development. That’s why they put it on their bread and butter Santa Fe.
For me the whole turbo engines trend it is just the car manufactures trying to give the impression that they are creating more “green” vehicles, because they use less gas, but keeping similar performance than the traditional V6 engines. That is mostly not true even though performance is good is not comparable with a similar V6 and the fuel economy it is most of the time just a little better if not the same.
Well that at least for Hyundai and Ford, I do not know about the turbo engines on the Audi and other luxury vehicles.

It might be possible that down the road and depending on how many customers show their discontent, Hyundai creates a 5 seats Santa Fe “Super Sport” with a V6, but not for now and I cannot really wait that long any ways.
I know I will be getting my new set of wheels soon but I’m still not sure if I want to go for the Sport or spend the extra bucks and get the XL.
Some time I think on getting the Sport and hope that by the time I will trade it (3 to 4 years from now) not all vehicles will be hybrids

and that there will be a V6 version available.

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javelinahog

· #7 · Sep 17, 2013 (Edited)

6thGear said:
It is funny because exactly the same happens to me and to my wife for that matter.
Every 3-4 year I get the “urge” for a new vehicle and yes… nothing stops me.

I was hoping Hyundai would have the Sport with a V6 for the 2014 model but it does not look that way. I know they need to sell a lot of these 2.0T engines because they put a lot of money on their development. That’s why they put it on their bread and butter Santa Fe.
For me the whole turbo engines trend it is just the car manufactures trying to give the impression that they are creating more “green” vehicles, because they use less gas, but keeping similar performance than the traditional V6 engines. That is mostly not true even though performance is good is not comparable with a similar V6 and the fuel economy it is most of the time just a little better if not the same.
Well that at least for Hyundai and Ford, I do not know about the turbo engines on the Audi and other luxury vehicles.

It might be possible that down the road and depending on how many customers show their discontent, Hyundai creates a 5 seats Santa Fe “Super Sport” with a V6, but not for now and I cannot really wait that long any ways.
I know I will be getting my new set of wheels soon but I’m still not sure if I want to go for the Sport or spend the extra bucks and get the XL.
Some time I think on getting the Sport and hope that by the time I will trade it (3 to 4 years from now) not all vehicles will be hybrids and that there will be a V6 version available.

Going forward, Hyundai and every other auto manufacturer must balance performance and fuel economy in order to me CAFE standard required by EPA while still selling vehicles that we like. I am very excited when I have a CUV that gets 27-29 mpg on the highway/23 town mpg, can tow 4000 lbs, cruise at 75 mph without even trying, and cost me around 30K with leather seats and other amenities, and handles like a big sports coupe and has a great warranty. Hyundai is almost home with the 2.0T Sport FWD. They can further tweak the tranny and the THETA 2.0T engine to get horsepower on par with the Gensis coupes and all and tune the exhaust sytem for a net HP gain of 10-20 HP which will be awesome for this little guy. Hopefully, those of you who relish in front-end torque will be happy then. In the meantime, the more I drive and experience my 2.0T Sport, the more I am convinced that I have made the best choice in buying a car in a very long time. Absolutely cannot convince me otherwise. Hope you work it out.

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Gittyupgo

· #8 · Sep 17, 2013

javelinahog said:
Going forward, Hyundai and every other auto manufacturer must balance performance and fuel economy in order to me CAFE standard required by EPA while still selling vehicles that we like. I am very excited when I have a CUV that gets 27-29 mpg on the highway/23 town mpg, can tow 4000 lbs, cruise at 75 mph without even trying, and cost me around 30K with leather seats and other amenities, and handles like a big sports coupe and has a great warranty. Hyundai is almost home with the 2.0T Sport FWD. They can further tweak the tranny and the THETA 2.0T engine to get horsepower on par with the Gensis coupes and all and tune the exhaust sytem for a net HP gain of 10-20 HP which will be awesome for this little guy. Hopefully, those of you who relish in front-end torque will be happy then. In the meantime, the more I drive and experience my 2.0T Sport, the more I am convinced that I have made the best choice in buying a car in a very long time. Absolutely cannot convince me otherwise. Hope you work it out.

I agree 100%...

For my driving style, the torque from the 2.0T is exactly in the right RPM range...and like you, I also am tickled with the MPG I`m getting...

With other past new car purchases, when the 'newness' wore off, I would start to find little things that I was disappointed with...

After 11 months, and approaching 10,000 miles, that`s yet to happen with this SFS...

I seem to continue to find excuses to go take a ride in it...

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