Have a large family? You’ve probably heard these statements during a long road trip:
- “I’m bored.”
- “I’m uncomfortable.”
- “I need to walk around.”
These utterances are somewhat understandable. It can be rough riding in a vehicle for an extended amount of time, especially if the interior is cramped. Furthermore, we’re all aware that children don’t have the longest attention spans, and it can be difficult to keep them entertained for a multiple-hour trip.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to completely eliminate all of the complaints from your kids. However, you can certainly remedy their displeasure by purchasing the new 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. The compact SUV offers everything you and your family could possibly want from a vehicle, making it the ultimate family ride. Want to learn why? Continue reading after the break…
Technology
Need to distract your children for the final leg of your journey? Consider utilizing the eight-inch touchscreen, which will allow you to access any of SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s hundreds of channels. If that’s not enough, you can connect your iPod, iPhone, or MP3 player to the infotainment system via the USB or auxiliary input jacks. The passengers can zone out and relax as they enjoy their music through the premium 12-speaker 550-watt Infinity Logic 7 audio system.
There’s also plenty of technology to occupy the driver and front passenger. The navigation system provides detailed maps, preventing any chance that you’ll get lost. The Bluetooth technology will also come in handy, as drivers can seamlessly answer their phone or play music without losing focus of the road.
The best technological inclusion might be the Blue Link Connected Car System. Connected through your smartphone, the technology will allow you start your car remotely, search for any nearby gas stations or restaurants, or find a shortcut or detour. The system will also provide you with vehicle diagnostics and connect you with emergency personnel.
Comfort
You won’t get any complaints from your rear passengers, as the Sante Fe offers unmatched second-row comfort. The seats are heated, and when you couple that with the Dual Automatic Temperature Control system, the vehicle’s occupants can enjoy their optimal temperature settings. The rear rows are accompanied by integrated sunshades and sliding/reclining capabilities, two factors that only help add to the level of comfort. Worried the children may spill their drink while they’re dozing off? It’ll be easy to clean, as the stain-resistant Yes Essentials premium cloth seats assure that your interior will remain spotless, and the antibacterial feature means the smell won’t linger.
The driver will be just as content, as the ventilated front seats include an Integrated Memory System. This material will retain your ideal seating position, providing you with ideal comfort every time. Leather seating surfaces and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and shift knob add an air of elegance to the interior, while the CleanAir Ionizer will keep your cabin smelling fresh. Want some sunlight and fresh air? Then take advantage of your panoramic sunroof.
Convenience was also clearly prioritized during the vehicle’s development, and that’s indicated by the inclusion of the Proximity Key Entry with Push Button Start. Your Santa Fe will automatically recognize you as long as your key is in your pocket, allowing you to unlock the vehicle and operate the engine.
Spaciousness
You’ll probably be using your Santa Fe to haul a good amount of bulky and cumbersome cargo. The Hands-Free Smart Liftgate (with Auto Open) makes loading and unloading much more convenient. Your rear door will automatically open when you’re within three feet of the vehicle, and with the height-adjustable function, you can assure the door doesn’t open too high.
Of course, there will be plenty of room for all of that cargo. The Santa Fe offers 35.4-cubic-feet of cargo volume behind the second row, and you’ll have 71.5-cubic-feet to work with if those seats are removed. The rear seats can also be manipulated to fit any unusual luggage, like skis or a snowboard. There are eight easy-to-access bottle and cup holders found throughout the interior, giving you a place to store all of your drinks. If you need additional room, you can store some of your more valuable cargo in the hidden storage compartment in the vehicle’s rear.
This doesn’t mean that there isn’t much room for the passengers. The front passengers will appreciate an abundance of space to spread out (41.3-inches of leg room, 59.4-inches of shoulder room, 56.7-inches of hip room), and the rear passengers will certainly be satisfied, as well (39.4-inches, 58.3-inches, 55.4-inches).
Safety
When you’re traveling with you entire family, your main priority is keeping everyone safe and secure. The Santa Fe includes a number of features and capabilities that won’t only keep your passengers safe (like the seven airbags), but could also help prevent an accident altogether.
Drivers want the best possible control, and that’s possible with the Driver Selectable Steering Mode. With three possible operating choices (Comfort, Normal, and the revamped Sport), you can adapt your vehicle for any conditions or terrain. The Vehicle Stability Management offers a variety of safety features to further enhance your ride, including Electronic Stability Control (keeps you on your intended path) and Traction Control System (reduces the chance of wheelspin).
The braking system has also been revamped, highlighted by the reliable Anti-lock Braking System. This technology will assure that your brakes won’t lock up during a hard stop. Meanwhile, the Electronic Brake-force Distribution evenly distributes braking power to each of the wheels, using the passenger’s weight and cargo as a basis.
The Santa Fe’s Hillstart Assist Control will come in handy if you’re traveling to the mountain with the kids. The system will recognize when you’re traveling uphill, slightly applying the brakes so the vehicle will never roll backward. Furthermore, the Downhill Brake Control will keep your vehicle on its intended path while it’s traveling back down that mountain.
The Blind Spot Detection technology (with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert) will also play a significant role in preventing accidents. With the attached radar sensors, the driver will be alerted via audible and visual cues when another car has crept up beside your Sante Fe. This system is partnered with the Lane Change Assist mode, which will determine whether it’s safe to switch to an adjacent lane.
Ever worried that you’re not seeing something when you’re backing up with your vehicle? That won’t be an issue with the Sante Fe, as the rear parking sensors will provide an audible warning if an object is detected behind your ride. Furthermore, the Rearview Camera will allow you to see all the happenings behind your vehicle. If a car has suddenly appeared, you’ll be able to anticipate it via the car’s touchscreen.
Getting tired of those complaints from your child? You now know how to get around that issue. Of course, if you have a large family, we understand if you can’t spend a whole lot on a new vehicle. Luckily, the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is very affordable, coming in at $30,400. This means you won’t have to pay an arm and a leg to secure all of the SUV’s family-friendly features and amenities, like technology, interior room, and safety technologies.
