Hyundai Announces Upgrades for Popular Santa Fe SUV; Mid-Year Changes Include Available Sunroof and Other Enhancements

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 20 -- When customers speak, Hyundai listens. Since its introduction in fall of 2000, the award-winning Hyundai Santa Fe sport utility vehicle has been selling so fast, dealers are still barely able to keep up with the demand. But even with the unqualified success of its first sport utility vehicle Hyundai listened carefully to suggestions from buyers.

"Our Santa Fe buyers told us they wanted a power sunroof. We listened and now it is an available option on the GLS and LX Santa Fe models," said Finbarr O'Neill, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Other changes requested by owners such as relocating the clock to the center stack, larger air conditioning vents, and adding gas-power hood struts have been made as well. And even with these and other enhancements, the pricing remains the same," he added.

A power sliding glass sunroof is now an available option on the GLS and LX models for $595. Additional mid-year changes for the Santa Fe include a revised center dashboard fascia that features the relocated clock (moved from its former overhead position) and larger air conditioning vents, illuminated power window switches, illuminated glove box interior, gas-charged struts for the hood, revised, easier-to-use rear seat recliner and folding mechanism, two outboard ISOFIX child seat anchors, improved map lamp and overhead console design, chrome PRNDL surround and shift lever button (GLS and LX only), and chromed inside door handles and parking brake knob.

These changes are just part of Hyundai's ongoing customer satisfaction program to provide even more quality, value and comfort to their customers. For the second year in a row the Hyundai Santa Fe has been named the best mid-size sport utility vehicle in the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Survey (VSS). The Santa Fe was the first Korean vehicle ever to win this prestigious award when it topped the list last year. For 2002 the Santa Fe tied for first place with the Toyota Highlander.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed in the U.S. by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced by more than 575 dealers nationwide.

Summary of mid-year upgrades to 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe

Power sliding glass sunroof available for GLS and LX models $595 Gas-charged hood struts N/C Clock relocated to center stack N/C Larger air conditioning vents in center stack N/C Revised overhead console design with improved map light N/C Revised rear seat recliner and folding mechanism N/C Illuminated glove box interior N/C Illuminated power window switches N/C Outboard rear seat ISOFIX child seat anchors N/C Chrome inside door handles and parking brake knob N/C Chrome PRNDL surround and shift lever button (GLS & LX only) N/C