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Hyundai Santa Fe Wins 'Best SUV of the Year' in Autobytel's 2007 Editors' Choice Awards


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2007 Santa Fe and Entourage Earn Accolades for New Model Introductions

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 5 -- Autobytel recognized the Hyundai Santa Fe as the "SUV of the Year" for its 2007 Editors' Choice Awards. Hyundai earned two additional victories in the "Best New Midsize SUV" and "Best New Minivan" categories for the Santa Fe and Entourage respectively. Awards were distributed at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The fourth annual Autobytel Editors' Choice Awards is a listing of the best new 2007 vehicles on the market, comprised by a team of veteran automotive editors. The Hyundai Santa Fe unanimously beat its competitors in both the "Best New Midsize SUV" and "SUV of the Year" categories by offering a new, sleek and sporty design coupled with a luxurious interior at an affordable price. The Hyundai Entourage rises above the competition for title of "Best New Minivan" with its smooth and powerful 250 horsepower ride, interior features and flexible trim levels.

"Hyundai is honored to take home three awards from Autobytel, a top consumer resource for expert vehicle information," said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. "We're especially proud of Santa Fe's honor, as it bests all SUVs and crossovers across all price ranges, including terrific competition such as the new Honda CR-V, Ford Edge, and Mazda CX-7."

The Hyundai Santa Fe meets consumers' demand for safety, style and performance. All Santa Fe models are equipped with segment-leading standard safety technologies, including a total of six airbags, active front head restraints, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The 2007 Santa Fe also offers a choice of two clean, fuel-efficient V6 powertrains in 2.7 and 3.3 liter, along with an optional third-row seat that significantly expands Santa Fe's market appeal.

The Hyundai Entourage offers an unprecedented combination of standard safety, comfort and convenience matched with a powerful engine and outstanding quality backed by Hyundai's 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Entourage earned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front and side impacts and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest honor -- the gold "Top Safety Pick" award -- the best rating ever for a minivan. Entourage is also the first vehicle with the Hyundai Hideaway(TM) third-row seat, a simple-to-use 60/40 split fold-into-the floor seat offering flexibility for up to seven passengers.