Normally reliable Hyundai Santa Fe doesn't disappoint

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- I've sung the praises of the Hyundai Santa Fe before.  No reason to change things this time around.

My recent tester was the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy AWD. And it included the usual laundry list of Hyundai positives.

Where to start? How about a practical midsize crossover sport-utility vehicle that handles like an agile sedan?

There's that and a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder hybrid engine getting a healthy 35 miles per gallon in city driving and 34 mpg on the highway.

Priced at $52,340, my ride was stuffed with safety, comfort and convenience features ... the amount and kind you pay $60,000 and up for in other makes/models.

Generous warranties of course.

In short, Hyundai's Santa Fe hits the target for all the primary desires of many American auto buyers ... in the hugely popular SUV segment no less.  If you were drawing up the American prototype for this very moment (including fuel savings) you probably could not do much better than this particular Hyundai.

Personally, I enjoyed its comfort and easy steering.  Volunteer passengers liked the interior, with several calling it "luxurious" -- not something you typically hear in a midsize SUV market.

Digital features are easy to reach, master and use.

Turning radius is tight, and just right for even the tightest parking lots.

Extra goodies -- like a heated steering wheel -- are a helpful surprise.

And did I want to hand it over at the end of my testing week? ... Absolutely not.

That probably says more than anything about this sport-ute.