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Car Report: 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe makes strides

By Mike Parris

WASHINGTON — Hyundai has been making good-looking vehicles that offer many features at a very competitive price.

It was a reason that I bought a Hyundai several years ago for my fun commuter car and it served me very well.

For 2014, Hyundai looks to make big strides in the midsize crossover segment with the Santa Fe, a good looking six or seven-seat crossover. There are two trim levels — GLS and Limited. You can choose front wheel drive or AWD for an extra $1,800 with a starting price under $30,000.

My tester was the 2014 Santa Fe Limited with front wheel drive and loaded for $39,500. The interior is a very strong attribute of this crossover. The heated and ventilated leather seats are comfortable and the trim and dash are a nice quality as well. The power lift gate is a nice touch and helps keep your hands clean by not having to touch the salt covered rear hatch after the last snow storm.

The limited trim package has second row captain’s chairs and it makes riding in the second row a pleasant experience. The third row of seats is good for adults, at least for shorter trips, while children will love sitting in the back.

My ride also came with the technology package with navigation, infinity sound system, 19-inch wheels, rear parking assistance, heated second row seats, a heated steering wheel and a large panoramic sunroof among others. The large sunroof was enough for my wife to quickly put this crossover at the top of her list of three row crossovers.

Driving the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe is impressive whether you’re carting the family down the street or taking that long road trip. With a 290 hp V6, the Santa Fe has plenty of pep and, for a larger crossover, it handles well and takes bumps with composure. I found it a competent people hauler filling five of the six seats most of my time. With the Hyundai there was always plenty of power and space for everyone. I was really impressed just how quiet a ride the Santa Fe is. There was little to no wind noise to speak of.

I averaged 21.2 mpg in 165 miles in mostly short trips and city driving. You can see 25 mpg on the highway and it only drops to 24 mpg if you choose to go with an AWD model that uses regular fuel. The brakes had no problem stopping the large crossover even with people and cargo. You can even tow up to 5,000 pounds on some Santa Fe models. Not every crossover can say that.

Hyundai has built a fine three-row crossover with the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited in a very competitive market. Again, the ride is very smooth and the interior is a nice place to be, and with nearly 300 hp the Santa Fe has plenty of power. You can get a lot of crossover for around $30,000 or spend more and get a near luxury crossover with all the toys.

With a 5 year, 60,000-mile new car warranty and a 10 year, 100,000-mile power train warranty you start to see how Hyundai has become a real player. Hyundai is using style, performance and value to win market share in the mid-size crossover class.

Editor’s Note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI ,FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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