Hyundai's compact-class SUV, with four doors and two rows of seats for five riders, rises from the front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform of a sedan for a smooth ride quality. Power comes from one of two V6 engines and there's optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction with the larger V6. The full-time AWD system employs a unique Dual Drive front differential with planetary gears plus viscous coupling and it sends as much as 60 percent of the engine's muscle to front wheels.

Deluxe new Limited trim for Santa Fe has leather upholstery, heated front seats and power tabs on the driver's bucket, plus automatic climate controls and a dashboard CD changer. Santa Fe GLS is the entry edition and comes with a 2.7-liter V6 which nets 170 hp as standard plant, or an optional 3.5-liter V6 pushing 200 hp through Hyundai's five-speed Shiftronic automatic. The 3.5-liter V6 is standard for Limited.

Hyundai's perennial best-seller measures up to the compact class as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback wagon. Elantra GLS is the mainstay model as a well-equipped four-door or five-door, although a sport-tuned GT five-door hatchback is also available. And for 2006 Hyundai adds the new Elantra Limited four-door sedan with plush beige leather upholstery and woodgrain trim.

Engine for all Elantras is Hyundai's 2.0-liter four-cylinder plant with CVVT and a power rating of 138 hp with SULEV configuration. Standard gear for the GLS ranges from air conditioning and frontal plus side-impact air bags to power operation for windows and door locks and mirrors, a tilting steering column, AM/FM stereo system with CD deck and a keyless remote entry device tied to an alarm. The new Premium Package for all trims brings a power sunroof and additional safety hardware like ABS and TCS.

The small-class SUV from Hyundai -- riding on the platform of a car and rigged with commendable standard safety features including ESC with TCS -- presents a shapely sheetmetal package and a flexible passenger compartment with seats for five riders plus room in the rear for gear. The back bay has an easy-to-clean composite floor and multiple tie-down points to secure a load of cargo. Tucson also brings four-cylinder and V6 powertrain options distributed across three levels of trim -- base GL, upgraded GLS and new deluxe Limited.

The SUV also supports two traction formats with FWD or AWD. Tucson GL employs Hyundai's 2.0-liter four-in-line with CVVT.
It produces 140 hp and ties to a five-speed manual or optional four-speed Shiftronic automatic. Tucson GLS and top-trim Limited rate Hyundai's 2.7-liter V6 for 173 hp. Standard items for 2006 Tucson include air conditioning, power windows and
a keyless entry system.

Hyundai's luxurious new four-door flagship, which supplants the XG350 in 2006, forges a premium performance sedan sculpted with aerodynamic sheetmetal and crafted with a five-seat cabin lined in leather. Azera offers two trim tiers with GLS and Limited. The Engine for either is Hyundai's dual-cam 3.8-liter V6 that produces 265 hp in concert with a five-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic shift mode.

Noteworthy safety features apply like ESC with TCS plus eight air bags including curtain-style air bags in the ceiling above each side window. Azera GLS applies deluxe fabric on seats with power controls for front buckets and a bench in back with split folding seatback, an automatic climate system and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Limited model upgrades with 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery with heated front seats, electroluminescent gauges in the instrument cluster and an electric sunshade in the rear window. (...BACK)