One thing we found was that we preferred driving the two-wheel-drive version. The front-drive Santa Fe proved to be much more fun, and more responsive, too, freed from the 203 pounds and whatever friction the 4WD system adds. EPA estimated fuel economy is 19/26 mpg city/highway for a front-wheel-drive V6 Santa Fe, and 19/23 for a V6 with four-wheel-drive.

The available 2.7-liter V6 produces 181 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. That's good power compared against the other V6-powered compact SUVs. Indeed, only the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, which come with a 200-horsepower 3.0-liter V6, offer more power in this class. The Santa Fe accelerates quicker than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 with their four-cylinder engines.

Acceleration is a bit sluggish, however. Acceleration from a stoplight is, well, OK. It's about as quick as a Toyota RAV4, but it lags behind the CR-V, Tribute and Escape. Slam down the throttle when cruising and downshifts are prompt and smooth, but with somewhat less than fulfilling acceleration. We don't doubt the rated towing capacity, but suspect driving with a 1500-pound load would be less than exhilarating.

The Santa Fe's four-wheel-drive system is compact and clever, having been developed by Austrian four-wheel-drive specialists Steyr-Daimler-Puch. A planetary differential inside the front transaxle splits the drive torque three ways: equally between the front wheels, and 60/40 between the front and rear axles. The latter figure is not arbitrary, but based on the Santa Fe's 60/40 front-to-rear weight distribution. A viscous coupling overrides the differential if the wheels at either end begin to slip. None of this represents new technology, but the system combines proven engineering in innovative ways.

It was more than up to the task of some light off-road driving at sometime-motorcycle circuit in Southern California, even without the traction control system. The system appears to do a good job of sending the torque where it's needed. We jacked up the back tires, then stood on the accelerator, and our Santa Fe raced eagerly ahead.