From previous pant cargo floor. The rear hatch deor is easy to lift up by pulling on a large door handle on the right side of the hatch door. The rear hatch also offers a separate glass liftgate which has a stan- dard rear wiper, washer, and defroster. Driving impressions As I mentioned, the 2.7- litre, DOHC, 24-valve, V6 engine is more refined than other V6 engines in this class, though not as quiet as the 2.5- line V6 in the Hyundai Sonata sedan — there’s a prominent “burble” under acceleration. It doesn’t have the most horsepower in its class, but the 181- -horsepower, 2.7-litre VS _offers excellent urban/subur- ‘ban performance characteris- _. tics — good off-the-line accel- ‘eration, adequate freeway- merging power, and a quict, - comfortable cruising engine coe Speed. . _ The Shiftronic automatic transmission is licensed from Porsche's Tiptronic tschnolo- “gy. It operate: as a four-speed automatic transmission, or when you move the shift lever into a special gate, it can be hifted vequettially — push for:vards to upshift, back to downshift, The Santa Fe is the only ‘compact sport-ttiliry co ffer this feature. Personally, 1 on’t find these transmissions ery useful because automatic transmissions are-much better’ hifting than they used to be. still, ‘in the Santa He, you do i choice of shifting pref- bur-wheel- system, which splits. toraue 60/40 fi front to ‘rear, provides extra grip on sippery surfaces. Hyundai's - “system includes a viscous cou- pling between the front and ecar.axles that is pemanently gaged — you don’t have to witch from 2WP. to. 4WD. . gravel, mud; or very.we' ds;'and ‘combined with 2 tall ground cl carance, offers improved traction and ‘mobili- in situations wheie a car might not make it: The Santa é doesn’t offer a a Low v Range. phote Hyundal THE Santa Fe’s rear door is easy to Sift and also incor- sorates a window that can te opened separately. gear for serious off Froading, but the Santa Fe doesn’t pre- tend to bea Land Rover. A fully independent sus- pension —- MacPherson struts in font, double wishbones at the rear — gives the Santa Fe a compliant ride and car-lilce handling. Jf you've never dri- ‘ven one of diese compact SUVs before, you'll be sur- prised at how easy they are to drive. The steering has a nice feel — not ton stiffand ner too slack, and the ride is smooth and comfortable. Standard four wheel disc brakes offer excellent braking performance, but ABS is avail- able only on the uplevel GLS model. Outward visibility is very good. The spare tire is mount- ed underneath, not on the tail- gate, where it can obstruct vision. - Prices and features + Santa Fe GL models, which start at $25,250, include the following standard equipment: 2.7-litre, V6 engine, four- "speed automatic Shiftronic rransmission, fuli-cme 4WD. svstem, 16- inch tires and alloy avheels, ovu-tone paint/body ‘adding, AM/FM/CD with four speakers, tachometer, : - . 60/40 split folding rear seat, power windows, power door locks and central locking, — “cruise control, heated ourside - mirrors, and dual de- -powered front airbags with a front pas- senger. detection system (the ‘airbag won'r inflate if a small “child, or no one, is is sitting in ‘en Services © hange antifreeze, the front passenger seat). Air conditioning and anti- lock brakes are not available as stand-alone opdons on the GL model. To get these features, you must move up to the GLS model which is priced at $29,250. The Santa Fe GLS also includes standard leather uphoistery, leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel, heated front seats, keyless entry and alarm, front ’ foglamps, rear dark tinted win- dows, colour-coordinated door handles and outside mir- rors, luminated ignition key- hole, and sear luggage tray. With a lengthy list of stan- dard features, a pleasant dri- ving experience, standard three-year /60,000 km warran- ty and five-year/ 109,000 km powertrain warrand) ‘the Santa Fe has alot going tor it — even ina class with more than a dozen competitors. Somennenn » Priking Parking Lot . Chesterfield Avenue na + ORSON RAT SR Opa The t Honda Homecoming WINTERIZATION tune-up © + ® Inspect distributor cop, rotor, cir filter, spark plugs, and plug leads » Adjust engine to specs ii ® Labour to install tune-up parts * Road test vehicle Ports Extra MULTI-POINT (NSPECTION WITH GENUINE HONDA Ol CHANGE ¢ Oil and filler cheage. Check for Auid leaks ® Inspect drive belt candition © Battery load/charging jest (excludes timing belt} ® Inspect coolant level and freezing point * Inspect windshield wipers, veasher jets © Check cooling system, inspect related hoses and blades and clumps Spec © Washer Ruid top-up © Inspect all brakes for wear % and condition * Inspect exhaust system 4 ° Inspect brake calipers, wheel cylinders and park- * Inspect springs and shock csbscrbers ing brake ® inspect cll lights and bulbs ° inspec fire wear and pressure @ Inspect ond lubricate door locks, latches et ond ® Tire rotation handles * Inspect transmission fluid level, power steering Ruid tevel (iF opplicable) broke Avid level, clutch Auid level (if applicable) Don't OPEN” -- Your Hoop... To STRANGERS, GEMUINE PARTS AND SERVICE Esplanade ey of Lower Lonsdale merchants, it's business as usual, even though construction of Jack Loucks Court is creating . some congestion. In practical terms this means the most reliable access point is off Lonsdale; where you will find both paid and free parking for your shopping convenience. So, don't be detoured. You can find everything from art: and antiques to zebra print accessories or zinc vitamins. Shop the boutiques ‘and services of Lower Lonsdale. and © support your local, businesses!