Santa Fe

Make
Hyundai
Segment
SUV

Blame it on low sales, but Hyundai has decided that it will eventually replace the CUV with a long wheelbase version of the popular Santa Fe. At this time, it's not clear how much the next generation model will be stretched to accommodate the third row, or what name the longer model will take. It is clear, however, that it will almost certainly maintain the Santa Fe descriptor and styling in order to build nameplate equity and control costs.

In other news concerning the Santa Fe, the CUV figures to be a prime candidate for the new lithium-polymer hybrid drivetrain that Hyundai has developed for the 2011 Sonata. Word is that the Korean automaker may be planning on fitting the Santa Fe with the gas-electric system.