Korean Bookends; 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe and Accent three-door.(News)

Byline: BOB GRITZINGER

Short of offering a pickup truck, Korean automaker Hyundai is busily blanketing the market with new offerings.

The revised 2007 Santa Fe leads the charge, now as a midsize crossover vehicle with seating for up to seven, standard electronic stability control and six airbags. Compared to the first-gen Santa Fe, this model is seven inches longer overall, one inch wider, two inches taller, and rides on a 3.1-inch-longer wheelbase with a 2.9-inch-wider track. The effect, Hyundai says, is a vehicle with more first- and second-row space than a Lexus RX-and a third row not even offered on the Lexus.

To pull the load, the fwd or awd Santa Fe offers a choice of two V6 engines, a 3.3-liter and a 185-hp, 183-lb-ft 2.7-liter. The V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic, while the 2.7-liter comes with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic.

In everyday driving the Santa Fe is a vast improvement over the more rudimentary model Hyundai introduced in 2000. The ride is more controlled and quieter, and the overall vehicle seems exceptionally solid and comfortable. Hyundai should give up the fake wood in its cars and work on the Santa Fe's steering feel, but otherwise this little trucklet is a good deal at the as-tested price of $26,690.

At the other end of the product shelf is Hyundai's latest stab at the small-car market, the three-door 2007 Accent. Our test Accent SE (base price $14,495 ...