All-new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe earns the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) award for best Compact CUV.
SAN ANTONIO, October 23, 2012 – The all-new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has been named the 2012 “Compact CUV of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA). Issued at the 20th annual Texas Truck Rodeo near San Antonio, the award was determined by 50 leading journalists across two days of expansive driving.
“We are very pleased to hear that the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has been named ‘Compact CUV of Texas’ for the first time,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “TAWA members have further confirmed the amazing versatility of this all-new crossover. This accolade proves that in a variety of environments, the Santa Fe will stay composed, safe and efficient.”
Comprised of 50 TAWA members, the 2012 Texas Truck Rodeo evaluated some of the industry’s leading trucks, SUVs and crossover utilities. In order to put each vehicle through its paces, the famed Knibbe Ranch in Spring Branch, Texas served as the event’s proving grounds. With driving surfaces varying from bumpy pavement, loose gravel, slick mud, steep hills, jagged rocks and water crossings, each candidate stayed busy throughout the two days of testing.
“TAWA members overwhelmingly selected the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport as the Compact Crossover of Texas,” said Michael Herzing, TAWA President. “Crossovers are important to Texans as they need vehicles that deliver on comfort, functionality and reliability. Hyundai exceeded those expectations and had the best product in the category.”
All-new for 2013, the third generation Hyundai Santa Fe Sport was named the “Compact CUV of Texas” for the first year ever. Entered into one of the most crowded segments of the competition, the Santa Fe Sport beat out the likes of the 2013 Mazda CX5 Grand Touring AWD, 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek 2.0i Limited and the 2013 Nissan Juke SL Midnight Edition. Hailed by journalists for its blend of value, mileage, capability and driving dynamics, the Santa Fe Sport found its way up rocky hills, down steep inclines, and around sweeping back-roads.
With two days of evaluation, TAWA members judged the vehicles on a variety of considerations. Aspects from exterior styling to road manners as well as pricing, fuel mileage, and off-road capability were all taken into account. Voting was conducted anonymously via electronic ballots.