2021 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL AWD

We're always been honest with each other here…right?

So it probably won't surprise you to hear me say "Hey…I'm on a budget…and I bet you might be, too".

So if that's you…on a bit of a budget but still with an eye for style…and a need to occasionally carry up to four others and a big bunch of their stuff…and you want something brand new with a warranty that might last till your final payment…you've got a lot to choose from.

And you might want to make sure that Hyundai's Santa Fe is on that list.

Here's why:

The Santa Fe is Hyundai's roomy two-row SUV…and as I'm sure you can imagine, it's available in a wide variety of trims and powertrains.

We tested Hyundai's "SEL" version…a step up from their "SE", but below their "Limited" and new "Calligraphy" editions…and we didn't come away feeling shortchanged at all.

In "SLE" grim, Hyundai's Santa Fe gives you a conventional non-turbo 2.5 four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic, 18" alloys, your expected rear cross-traffic, collision-avoidance, blind spot, lane-keeping and driver's attention alerts, smart cruise, LED headlamps, roof rails, heated side mirrors, power lumbar, dual front and rear USB ports, an 8" display, Apple and Android compatibility, and heated cloth seating.

If you need leather, pay roughly four thousand more and get your leather plus a panoramic sunroof, a power passenger seat and premium audio.

The Santa Fe also gives you a healthy 36+ cubic feet of storage behind the second row seats plus four separated compartments of hidden storage under the rear floor. Again, it's a roomy ride.

We had the all-wheel drive version, which added $1,700 and brought our bottom line to $31,680. Mileage with AWD is EPA rated at 22 city and 25 hwy, although we got up to an indicated 30 mpg on a 65 – 70 mph two-lane commute.

Sure...it'd be fun to own a SUV that goes 0 to 60 in 4 or 5 seconds and gets 50 MPG. But that doesn't exist. So as long as I'm the one paying the bills, something like Hyundai's Santa Fe is going to get me and my tribe safely down the road in comfort and style…at a very attractive price...and with one of the best warranties in the business.