Overview & Reviews
The base trim level has been dropped. The 2.7-liter V6 is now standard (the LX still gets the 3.5-liter V6), as is an automatic transmission. Also newly standard this year are four-wheel antilock brakes and traction control. Exterior changes include a new grille surround, side cladding, taillamps, tailgate handle, rear bumper design and alloy wheels. Inside, there is new seat fabric, an upgraded two-tone color scheme and a revised instrument cluster. A power driver seat is now standard on the LX, and a compass is included with the optional sunroof.
- Reasonable price, strong warranty, roomy interior, long list of standard features, solid construction, good crash test scores.
- Thirsty at the pump for a small car-based SUV, soft suspension limits handling ability.
User Reviews:
Showing 111 through 120 of 193.00-
Thumbs up! - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By viennadarling - October 3 - 3:36 amI bought this SUV after driving a Jeep for years. I thought nothing would compare to my old Jeep, but the Santa Fe definitely holds its own. Im rather short, but the Santa Fe has great visibility all around. The only thing I would change is the tan interior; I have dogs and the seats need shampooed quite frequently. Its easy and fun to drive and hasnt given me a problem yet.
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GOOD BUY, NO REGRETS! - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By USlovesIt - September 30 - 11:50 pmI went through 1/2 a year, over 100 dealers, over 20 brands of car makers. Finally found Hyundai is the one. I am a Toyota fan and still am, but cannot believe that I will buy a Hyundai. Great buy for this Santa Fe. Everything is good, went through over 500 car reviews and checks, good price and unbeatable warranties. NO REGRETS! Hyundai that owns Kia is going up ladder to beat out the Japanese makers and other global players, see the new Sonata 2006. Cant say more for the global world car makers, especially the Chinese cars are coming to Americas market after the win in Asia.
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frozen fluid - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Alan - September 29 - 2:30 amI love this car. I bought it for my wife and I hardly let her drive it. The one PROBLEM is the washer fluid keeps freezing (yes I use -25 type). I have never had this problem before. I think this is a design flaw and a safety hazard. Other than that this car is great, fun to drive and fair- good on gas.
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Great Ride - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Sensei Thom - September 17 - 11:06 amI didnt want the Santa-Fe at first, I was looking for a reasonable suv and I wasnt sold on the Santa-Fe. Then, I drove one and I was sold! I suggest the 6 cylinder model and a sunroof. I love the ride, the cd changer and Monsoon sound system. The Sanfa-Fe has everything except the price. People that have ridden to work with me are now interested. One, who owns a Lexus SUV likes my Santa-Fe LX as much as his Lexus. As a matter of fact, When my friends lease is up, he is trading for an LX too. He said he was tired of paying so much for the Lexus in lease and gas when the Hyundai LX I have does better for less! I agree ... for me ... this one is a "Keeper!"
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good little SUV...poor gas mileage - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Diane - September 17 - 10:30 amI love the Sante Fe except for awful gas mileage and a squeek in the door panel that I can not get ride of. Otherwise a nice SUV..If I had known that the RAV4 was going to be extended, I would have bought that instead.
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Good car, bad gas mileage! - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Janos - August 28 - 3:03 pmI bought my Santa Fe back in October 2008 - my wife wanted us to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle in case of bad weather. I expected the mileage to go down some from the sedan I had but figured with with conservative driving, Id at least get in the low to mid 20s. Definitely NOT the case! Im averaging closer to 16 to 18 miles to the gallon even with mostly highway driving at 70. It runs smoothly and is very comfortable to drive but every time I fill the tank, I cringe. Snow / slick road handling is so-so. My wifes Mazda 6 actually handles a lot better in snow & ice which kind of defeats the purpose of getting the four wheel drive Santa Fe! I will probably end up going back to a sedan.
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good price, great price - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By dcherry - August 26 - 3:03 amI did not think I could ever afford to buy such a nice SUV. It is like that big Toyota with lots of room. I tried out the Toyota, and was overwhelmed with the price of it. Once I got in the Hyundai, I was hooked. It is nice. It is so comfortable. Even the back seats are so huge that anybody riding back there is very happy. I rode in the back of the Toyota and was so squeezed and the plastic parts inside looked so cheesy and the big sticker price turned me off...oh, and there was very little warranty on the Toyota. So I got the Hyundai and I have been happy every since. BEST DECISION EVER.
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Hyundai Santa Fe - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Jim Bourg - August 3 - 9:03 pmHas given me every thing promised and then some. Has been trouble free. Will consider another when the time comes.
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best suv for your money - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By santafeguyfl - July 14 - 12:13 pmThe carbuying press always bashes Hyundais but we have had our 2003 now for almost 3 years. It has only had one problem at 43,000 miles the oil pump pressure releif valve froze. It was replaced at no cost under the best warranty in the industry while we were given a loaner car. The V-6 has more than adequate power for its class and delivers great gas mileage for its size. we average 24mpg in town and 29- 31 on the highway with the standard automatic transmission. The Quality has been so good in fact that I used Hyundais $2000 owner loyalty rebate towards the purchase of my Elantra. The Santa fe has all of the features that would cost you 4-6 thousand more dollars on a RAV-4 or CRV
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Good car - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
By CR - July 14 - 4:06 amHad my Hyundai for a few months now and am loving it. There are a couple of things I wish were a little different but overall it is a nice small SUV. The interior and exterior are really nice and I love the way it drives.
