The car is expected to retail at $41,000 for the most basic model with an additional five thousand tacked on for a car with a range extender. However, thanks to its specialized battery and electric power, the car will be easy and inexpensive to fuel. The car is also said to drive extremely well in accordance to other BMW models, but there have not been any test drives offered yet. Do not let its compact size or electric power fool you because this car can reach 60 mph in just over 3.5 seconds.
The basic model can go up to a hundred miles on a full charge whereas the range extender version will allow the car to travel up to a 200 miles radius. The battery can be fully charged in 3 hours with 220 volts. However, there is a more powerful charged that can get it to one hundred percent in under half an hour.
This car is being targeted towards chic urban livers who want to invest in an electric car that is both sleek and compact. One of the more unique features of the car is that it has no middle pillar. The car is open and seamless as this allows for easier movement inside the car. The ultimate purpose of this feature means that the driver can easily exit through the passenger door when parking on a city street. The i3 also has a very small turning radius at 32 feet which will make it easy to drive in urban areas.
The BMW i3 is also more than just an electric car designed to reduce its impact on the environment. It is also outfitted with sustainable materials. For example, the carβs interior is made up of at least twenty percent of recycled plastic. The wood found on the dashboard is also made from forests that are harvested with care and responsibility. The overall design of the i3 is much sleeker than previous electric car models. In fact, the head designer explained that the car was designed to be more than just a βpost-apocalyptic military vehicle.β Thus, the carβs smooth and luxurious design make it more than just the average electric car.
There are some fantastic crossover SUVs on the market right now that are not only affordable, but dependable and safe as well. When any type of SUV is considered, it is due to a desire for a vehicle that can handle various road and weather conditions, as well as haul various passengers and cargo. The Hyundai Santa Fe stands out for larger families. There are several trim packages. The Sport is probably the more popular and comes with a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine. This smaller engine still offers 190 horsepower without sending its owner to the gas station everyday. The Sportβs estimated miles per gallon is 29city/29hwy. Even the Sport 2.0T that has a turbo charged 2.0 liter engine and pulls 264 horsepower, has an estimated miles per gallon of 20city/27hwy. Not bad at all. The starting MSRP for the Sport is about 24,700 and the Sport 2.0T is 27,950.
All of the Santa Fe models come with some basic features such as Bluetooth and iPod capabilities, spacious interiors, satellite radio, and an optional navigation system. However, as stated earlier, families tend to look at some essential things like safety and room, before the other perks. Although the Sport trims are nice they do only seat a maximum of five. If your family is looking to only haul people, and if you are a family of five, and are never planning on having a guest within your vehicle, then the sport is ideal. We all know that scenario is not likely, but for a family of 3-4, the Sport would work nicely. Luckily Hyundai offers a GLS and Limited version for their 2013 Santa Fe. The only true difference is the seating. The GLS can seat up to seven, but the Limited only seats up to six. The reason for this is due to the second seat row in the Limited, now has two captain chairs. Basic perks and options are basically the same across the board for all trim models of the Santa Fe, however, the panoramic sunroof that is offered on the other models is not on the GLS. The GLS has a starting MSRP of 28,350 and the Limited is 33,100. Both have a 3.3 liter V6 engine and a miles per gallon of 18city/25hwy can be expected. This is a decent miles per gallon, and you can still enjoy the subtle yet thrilling feel of 390 horsepower.
The big thing now is safety. All models come with anti lock brakes, and traction and stability control. That will guarantee a safer ride on wet or icy roads. The government front and side crash rating for the Santa Fe earned an impressive five stars. The side, curtain, and front airbags are large contributors to that rating, as well as the descent control and what is called βhill holdβ.
Standard on all models is Blue Link which is Hyundaiβs emergency system. It includes numerous services that include remote access and theft recovery.
Overall the Santa Fe, regardless of model, is the ideal SUV for larger families. There are other comparable SUVs, but none with all of the things in one that families tend to look at. The Hyundai Santa Fe offers affordability, roominess, and safety.