Mid-model-year power boost for Hyundai sport/ute.(News)(Santa Fe )(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)

Byline: John D. Stoll

Since Hyundai's American sales bottomed out in 1998 with 90,000 cars sold, much has changed. The Korean carmaker has boosted sales more than 300 percent by offering low-priced, moderately powered and reasonably attractive vehicles backed by 10-year warranties.

But warranties alone will carry Hyundai only so far-and new products are slow in coming. An Elantra-based mini/ute is due in summer 2004, followed by a new midsized Sonata sedan and a Santa Fe sport/utility vehicle based on the Sonata in 2005. A minivan arrives sometime thereafter.

While awaiting future product, Hyundai engineers have used every bit of space under the Santa Fe's hood to squeeze in the firm's workhorse 3.5-liter V6 that produces 195 hp and 219 lb-ft of torque. The same engine is offered in Hyundai's XG, Sorento and Sedona.

Santa Fe's carryover 2.7-liter V6, good for 173 hp and 182 lb-ft, is still around, but if you drive it back-to-back with the larger V6, the $1,400 premium for more displacement seems a small ...