((May 1, 2013) COSTA MESA, Calif. — The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport outperformed its competitors to earn the distinction of “Best in Class SUV/Crossover under $28,000” in the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) annual Winter Vehicle Awards, which honor the best cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs for handling New England’s difficult winter driving conditions.

NEMPA will present this year’s Winter Vehicle Awards on May 9 at MIT in Cambridge, Mass. The winners are selected each year by NEMPA media members, which include automotive journalists in the six-state New England region.

NEMPA members test a wide range of vehicles to evaluate winter-specific features along with various qualities that make for safe, enjoyable all-weather driving.

"The Santa Fe Sport is an exceptional vehicle with strong performance from a choice of four-cylinder engines and an all-wheel drive system that meets any challenges thrown at it by New England weather. Its good fuel economy also makes it a smart choice for consumers, which is why we named it Best in Class SUV/Crossover under $28,000," said Keith Griffin, NEMPA president.

“We are excited to see the all-new Santa Fe Sport earn a Winter Vehicle Award from a group of journalists who know first-hand what it takes to handle challenging weather conditions,” said John Shon, product manager, Hyundai Motor America. “Now joined by a longer three-row Santa Fe trim the Santa Fe provides today’s families with premium features and advanced driving dynamics at an incredible value. Whether it’s a quick drive down the block or a family road trip, Santa Fe is equipped to safely and comfortably navigate roads in any season.”

The two-row Santa Fe Sport introduced last year and three-row Santa Fe being launched this spring both offer an optional Active Cornering Control AWD system that continuously analyzes data to supply torque and braking force to the right tires for improved traction. Rather than just react to conditions after they occur, the system can anticipate traction requirements for better performance in winter driving.