2013 Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe gives crossover buyers a choice, compact utility or spread-out space.

That means it competes with some of the better five-passenger and seven-passenger crossovers on the market, including the Ford Explorer, which features lots of technology options, from MyFord Touch's LCD- and voice-driven controls to blind-spot monitors.

The Explorer also offers good fuel economy with the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine--but the Santa Fe promises better towing capacity.

The new Nissan Pathfinder scores better gas mileage too, and in size and feel, it's almost in the league of the GM three-row utes (Acadia, Enclave, Traverse).

Then there are the compacts.

With lots of cargo space and a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, the Chevy Equinox is a major contender in this segment, and the only other entry with a sliding second-row seat.

We can't forget about the Toyota Venza, which offers both four- and six-cylinder engines not to mention a track record for durability.

Finally, the Santa Fe has some kinship with the Georgia-built Kia Sorento, another five- or seven-passenger crossover packed with value and with an available V-6 engine, no matter which seating configuration you choose.