Overview & Reviews

The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe receives minor changes. The Limited trim pads its standard equipment roster with the high-power Infinity Logic 7 CD changer audio system and a sunroof, while SE models now include standard premium seat cloth.

• Well-designed cabin, impressive standard safety features and crash test scores, competitive price, lengthy warranty, optional third-row seat.

• Excessively firm ride on SE and Limited models, lackluster automatic transmission, disappointing driving dynamics.

User Reviews:

Showing 121 through 130 of 157.00

• 

  Lovin It! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By NewSantaFeOwner - June 2 - 6:20 am

  Just bought my new Santa Fe after months of searching. I have been a faithful Dodge owner for decades, but decided to try the foreign route. So far Ive not been disappointed! This is a great car though much bigger than my 2007 Dodge Caliber that I traded in! Very comfortable ride and features. I did give up great MPGs (from 32 in Caliber to 22 on Santa Fe), but this is AWD and much roomier for my growing family! Great power on the V6 and quiet ride. This so far is a great car.

• 

  Satisfied mostly - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By zannan - March 31 - 5:10 am

  Have found this vehicle a fun car to drive and own. This is our second Hyundai, the first being an 2003 Elantra. It is a comfortable car that travels well and is overall an excellent vehicle. The gas mileage is a little low, (22mpg)but not a spoiler. So far the only issue we have is a loud high frequency buffeting noise that only is noticable when the rear side door window is rolled down. It occurs at 60 mph and stays with you until you reach alomost 95. I am taking it to the dealer to see what is causing this and if it can be fixed. I hope that it can because we live in Florida and although the a/c works fine, we didnt spend that much money to be cooped up all the time.

• 

  1300 Miles on New 08 Santa Fe - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ohio Citizen - March 22 - 3:30 am

  Im happy overall with my new 08 Santa Fe. Ive never owned a Hyundai, but they sold me with the massive warranty and assurance program. I looked at CR-Vs and Escapes, and I found this was a much better priced vehicle for the options I wanted. Its comfortable and snazzy. It drives more like an SUV than a zippy car. Braking distance sometimes sneaks up on you-- Ive taken to adding some following distance. Theres plenty of leg room. I wish there was more headroom in the drivers side. Anyone more than 6 tall will feel a bit scrunched by the vehicle roof when driving (my boyfriend is 62" and feels the roof is uncomfortably close to his head).

• 

  Bad Rack and Pinion - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Anthony Lupo - February 4 - 5:33 pm

  Had to replace rack and pinion three times. Also, inside door liners, had to replace rubber twice. For all those who own this vehicle, make sure you have the rack and pinion checked. If the steering wheel doesnt stay straight once its aligned, it could be your rack and pinion.

• 

  A good value - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Uncle Gonzo - December 27 - 1:46 pm

  We looked pretty closely at 2 other vehicles in this class before buying the Santa Fe. The Subaru Forester didnt offer a V6 and was not as visually appealing. Still with just a 4 cylinder and the options we wanted, it was about $2000 more than the Santa Fe. We liked how the Toyota Rav4 looks, and liked how the V6 handled. But to get the same options as our SE Santa Fe, we would have had to get a Limited Rav4. That was almost $6000 more. Since this was tied with the Rav4 for consumer satisfaction in Consumer Reports, it seemed a no brainer to get this.

• 

  hyundia sante fe,new york - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By harley - December 14 - 6:20 am

  I bought the car/truck in nov 09 since the Ive drove 20k miles. I really like the overall drive and layout of the Santa Fe. The seats are a little stiff and if you drive with the rear Windows partially down they howl and vibrate a lot. The 08 dont have the ipod connection that I miss. Ive had a clunk in the front end going over bumps. I took it to dealer and was told it was a bushing problem. The didnt seem to have a fix for it. While annoying its not so much that I wouldnt buy another on but hope they fix the problem. Fuel mileage adv 22.5 mpg for me.

• 

  Very Happy - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Blockhead - November 2 - 4:30 am

  I didnt start out looking for an SUV, but I wanted a vehicle with AWD and a hatch back. My last car was a Passat sedan and I was looking for something with that had greater reliability/functionality. After driving subcompact SUVs and crossovers I was dissatisfied with the power and the cargo capacity. With continued research I stumbled on the Santa Fe which many publications consider a safe, comfortable and reliable SUV. Once I drove it I was sold. It rides great especially on the highway and the seats are extremely comfortable. I have had it for one week and put 1K miles on it with no problems. Mileage is 21 in mixed driving. I have received complements on looks of the car.

• 

  Mostly Great - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bosley1 - July 29 - 9:40 am

  The acceleration is smooth and if done properly, feels as if you are gliding in an airplane. No complaints with the noise level. It handles very well in ice and snow with proper driving skills. The downsides are that the gas mileage is not as good as I had hoped, the front seats seam to have a lot of give as you are entering and exiting the car (and I am not a heavy person). I have two chips in the windshield within a year vs. no chips in the windshield of my old Dodge Caravan after taking many heavy hits, and driving the same routes as I do in the Hyundai.

• 

  So far, so good. - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ed Rea - July 4 - 1:56 am

  Purchased this SUV after driving an Infinity G-35x and missing the roominess from my previous SUV. Also, Hyundai was recommended by other friends who have one. Only issue so far is pulling to left. After two alignments, seems to be okay. Although steering is pretty sensitive. Like all the features, styling, performance (little sluggish in shifting between 1st & 2nd gear) so far, after 2000 miles. CD player is only 1 CD capacity?? If reliability holds up, seems like a very good vehicle for the price.

• 

  2008 Limited FWD 25k mile update - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Brandon - June 22 - 2:46 am

  So far I have nothing but praise for this car. Its my wifes daily driver, and with 80% city she averages 20-21 mpg. I do my own service and run synthetic oil which helps a little. Have averaged 27 mpg on a trip, but mpg drops off above 75 mph to around 23 or so. The oem tires (bridgestone dueler h/l) lasting surprisingly well with pressure checks and rotation, expecting to get 35k-40k on the set. No problems, and knock on wood, not even a single trip to the dealership. It still drives and sounds just like it did on the way home from the dealership. 3rd row seat is tolerable for an adult for a short trip, but you wouldnt want to stick your grandmother back there. Great car!