Overview & Reviews

One of Hyundai's longest-running nameplates, the Santa Fe is a car-based crossover SUV aimed at buyers seeking the elevated ride height and useful cargo area of a traditional utility vehicle in an easy-to-drive package. Modern versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe are midsize with three rows of seating, quality cabin furnishings and user-friendly tech features. Whether you're shopping for a new or used Santa Fe, value is a big part of its appeal. The standard equipment list is generous, as is Hyundai's warranty coverage.

Earlier versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe range from compact to midsize in dimensions and have seating for five passengers. The 2007 and later models are a big step up in styling, performance and interior space, and they're worth considering if you're shopping for a used midsize crossover. Hyundai has since subdivided the Santa Fe line into two models: the two-row Santa Fe Sport and the three-row Santa Fe. The latter is more luxurious than its predecessors, offering premium styling and plenty of power.

User Reviews:

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  Traded my 2010 Sante Fe - defective transmission - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By khh8 - August 15 - 4:07 pm

  I am so sorry to say, I no longer could live w/ the transmission issues w/ my 2010 sante fe & got rid of it. My initial problems within two months of purchasing: bucking everytime I turned on the car & slamming/thumping into 2nd & 3rd gear w/ slow acceleration and also experienced a hesitation of shifting between 2nd & 3rd. Been to the dealership numerous times & they reset my transmission once. They were able to fix the bucking when the car is turned on. Then took it back for the original problems resurfaced within a few hundred miles. Then they "couldnt duplicate" the issues & told me till they can there is nothing for them to do - as if I am making all this up. BUYERS BEWARE!

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  junk - 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gradstudent28 - August 13 - 9:51 pm

  as an engineer I can reassure you this vehicle is junk. flimsy build materials inside and out. thin plastic on the inside, thin metal pieces, and doors. 40k miles the vehicle has more rattles then my dead grandma, and the shocks seem to be worn out!! I would NOT reccomend this vehicle.

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  Could have been built better - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By pfehrman - July 19 - 3:36 pm

  The assumption that a car must be good based on a 100,000 mile warranty is faulty; especially when it does not transfer to a new owner. I purchased this vehicle from a dealer, used, and then was told it needed $2,000.00 worth of required maintenance to keep from voiding the warranty. After that I had constant problems with the brakes, and transmission. Coming back from Florida one time, the car began to buck and jerk for more than 400 miles. We took it to a couple of places and were told that it was a transmission sensor. After paying many hundreds of dollars for repairs, we still are having transmission type issues, along with a brake fluid leak, and other continued brake issues.

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  28K brakes and bad engine sensors - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ronwizbot - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I experienced 2 bad "Check Engine" sensors and the brakes wore out prematurely at only 28K miles. The 10/100000 warranty is fine, but my local dealers are sub par so I had to take the vehicle to dealers that are further from home. One of these other dealers recognized the sensor failures and fixed them and recognized the brake problems. I got after market brake pads from another company because I didnt trust the Hyundai brake pads. It lacks power with the 2.7 liter V6 engine. The cobalt-blue paint has a high chip rate.

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  Dead car in middle of freeway - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By woman - April 24 - 6:56 am

  A few days ago my car lost all power while driving on the freeway at night. The car has been acting up now for about 5 months, maybe more. while driving, sometimes, with my foot on the accelerator the car looses all RPM then after about three seconds it comes back to normal. It happens all over, on the freeway to neighborhoods at 10 miles an hour. But A few days ago at night the car did its no RPM thing then died. all lights turned on. And now, two mechanics shops cannot tell what is wrong with it. (one had a reading about transmission) but then the transmission place cant get the same reading.

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  TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By derrick - January 19 - 8:43 am

  The transmission stinks... period. Going from first to second gear is whatever you want to call it, a slip, hesitation, pause, delay but it is not normal and Hyundai knows about and continues to put a vehicle on the market with this transmission. It ruins the entire driving experience because when its cold, the hesitation is horrible from first to second gear and continues, at a milder rate, even when its warms up. Shame on you Hyundai this is a lemon law issue.

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  Bring Duct Tape - 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SEZ - January 18 - 9:53 am

  Dont be misled by the appearance of the comfort of this vehicle. The 2012 Santa Fe, while performing well, is loaded with subpar craftsmanship and design. After not even 3 1/2 years I have had pieces literally fly off the car, constant recalls and a myriad of simple things being replaced -- from light switches to a sun roof that leaked. Handling is OK, but there is more than comfortable body sway on corners. Winter driving is OK, but if youre in heavy snow areas, winter tires are highly recommended. The Blue Tooth set-up is second rate as is the navigation. In fact, the navigation is so whacked out, that even the dealer I bought the car from did not how to use it. Adjustments for things like auto door locks are non existent and the appointments, such as switches and controls and second rate -- at best. Quite honestly, if Toyotas Rav-4 did not have the goofy side-opening rear door (which they have since done away with) I would have gone with that car, or maybe the Chevy Equinox. I generally keep my cars for an extended period of time, but this will not be the case with the Santa Fe. As soon as its paid off, or hits 50k miles -- its gone.

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  Vibration - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By arl62q - November 4 - 3:10 pm

  Our Santa Fe is now 14 months old and since the first day we bought it we have had a vibration when driving well after serving Hyundai with a 3rd and final attempt letter they are going to put the 3rd set of tires on it Seriously this is a bunch of crap. The experience has not been a good one at all Thank you Prime Toyota in Scarborough Maine this is the 3rd car from them in 2 years the others a Tucson and Toyota Camry were great and paid for. But they dropped the ball on this one even after calling the owner himself. They have done nothing to help us we had to go to another Hyundai Dealer and they and the Hyundai Rep are helping Just buy the vehicle back or give us a normal

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  Really disappointed - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kmflutist - August 7 - 3:12 am

  Owned this car for a year & a half and have had nothing but problems. Sway bar bolts (or something to that effect) had to be replaced. A/C died -- need a new compressor ($1000+), and now we need new fuel level sensors. The most disturbing thing is our mechanic has told us that ALL of these problems are common with the 07 Santa Fe. We bought this car because of Hyundais great reputation, but I can tell you, were not impressed. Will never buy another Hyundai.

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  HYUNDAI DOESNT CARE!!!!!! - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By MISTY FITZGERALD - May 14 - 10:00 am

  WARNING!!!! DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT BUY A SANTA FE. I HAVE A 2001 SANTA FE THAT IS NOW GOING IN FOR SERVICE FOR A FOURTH TIME IN 10 WEEKS AND LESS THAN 5000 MILES.