Are you shopping for a versatile crossover SUV on a budget? With its generous equipment roster, top safety ratings and lengthy warranty, we think the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is a desirable pick among affordable crossover SUVs. For 2017, the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport returns with refreshed styling front and rear, along with numerous feature updates, including a height adjustment for the power passenger seat, a larger 5-inch standard display and an available 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto. Newly offered safety features include adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, an electronic parking brake, a 360-degree parking camera, lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking. Also, the base four-cylinder engine loses 5 horsepower, while the optional turbo four loses a more significant 25 hp, though Hyundai claims driving quality is improved. Pros
Generous rear-passenger and cargo space Lots of features for the money Lengthy warranty coverage. Cons
Below-average fuel economy for a small crossover SUV Thick roof pillars hamper rearward visibility Ride quality can be uncomfortably stiff on rough pavement
The restyled 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport looks sharp, inside and out. We can't help but wonder what the model could do with a slightly improved powertrain lineup. The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport received a substantial refresh this year that helps cement its status as Hyundai's go-to 'tweener in its SUV lineup.
Likes Sharper styling all the way around Good standard features Still a good value, even in higher trims Easy-to-use cargo space Bigger engine doesn't penalize economy
Dislikes Base engine isn't exciting All-around gas mileage isn't great Steering feel isn't sharp V-6 only on long-wheelbase Sante Fe, not the Sport
With its improved styling and greater feature content, Hyundai’s 2017 Santa Fe Sport compact SUV continues to show up newer rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Edge and Subaru Forester. While each of the aforementioned vehicles bests the Santa Fe Sport in the areas of fuel economy, only the Ford and Subaru can match its turbocharged engine option. The Santa Fe Sport also offers a number of features you won’t find on most other small SUVs, such as ventilated front seats and a power liftgate that automatically activates. If power and fuel economy are less important than comfort, safety and style, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport remains a very viable option.
Likes If you’re looking for a compact SUV with more style and features than a Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue, the 2017 Santa Fe Sport SUV from Hyundai delivers an impressive combination of comfort, safety features and performance.
Dislikes If you’re looking for a low-priced compact SUV with great fuel economy, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport comes in near the bottom of the list. Its swept-up side glass can make the interior feel a bit claustrophobic, and the base 2.4-liter engine doesn’t feel all that powerful.
The 2017 Chevrolet Equinox is a solid bet if you want a reasonably sized crossover SUV with plenty of backseat space. You can also upgrade to a powerful V6 engine, which is an unusual treat in this class. Let's see if this veteran player still has what it takes.
Pros Backseat has plenty of space and slides/reclines for added comfort Optional V6 engine provides quick acceleration Interior stays quiet at speed Rides smoothly on rough roads.
Cons Four-cylinder version feels sluggish and real-world mpg falls short of EPA ratings Less cargo space than some rivals Quality of interior materials leaves something to be desired Bluetooth audio isn't offered on L or LS.
The 2017 Chevrolet Equinox is a solid compact crossover SUV. What it lacks in advanced powertrains, it makes up for in available tech. The Chevrolet Equinox has struck the right chord for many compact crossover buyers. It offers a range of powertrains, including front- or all-wheel drive; it can be fuel efficient; and it's relatively large.
Pros Inline-4 is frugal Space is configurable for cargo or people Plenty of power in V-6 Exterior style has been improved Relatively good tech
Cons No premium audio to speak of Rear visibility is a challenge Safety marks not quite top tier
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox ranks 5 out of 18 Compact SUVs. The Chevrolet Equinox was redesigned for the 2018 model year and sees some admirable improvements over the outgoing generation. It has a quality interior, plenty of standard features, and a good amount of cargo and passenger space. It rides and drives confidently but can be slow to get up to speed.
Pros Plenty of standard features Quality interior Stable handling
Cons Sluggish transmission
