Dave...

I'm sorry to hear your experience was negative but I have to ask you a few things based on your post. I can't believe you didn't even drive the car as it is light years ahead of the original Santy in terms of feel and performance. I drove one when they first came out three years ago and was very impressed. Quieter, better fit and finish, almost no body roll, and more than respectable performance. Not really sure where you got a 'cheapening' of materials opposed to the SM Santa Fe; I love mine but some of the plastic is clearly tinny and cheap and in some cases, the top color finish is peeling away. There is real leather with grain and tuck in the new Santa Fe, not a material that looks and feels suspiciously like vinyl.

One final observation involving this line:

Having bought a beautiful car (Daewoo Nubira) from a company what went under, don't want to do it again.

Have you paid attention AT ALL to how Hyundai has been doing in the past few years? They were the only brand (next to Ford) to actually post a sales gains during the last year and their quality ratings have continued to increase annually, hand over fist. Additionally, the Genesis was rated the best new car introduction in the past year for quality and owner satisfaction. During the Cash for Clunkers bill, Hyundai almost ran out of new cars in this country. If you want a car company that's going under, look at Chrysler. Is Hyundai perfect? No, nothing is. But I seriously don't think they are a weak brand or a has-been. Much to the dismay of some, they are now here to stay.

And coming from a family that has owned more Honda Accords than one can count, I'll say that company is not what they used to be. Regardless, I wish you luck with your new car.