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 21 through 30 of 157.00

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  So far so good - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By starsky - July 15 - 9:13 pm

  The car has a little over 10000 miles on it since bought new in january. The wife gets 22.5 MPG mixed city and highway driving. I get around 26 MPG driving it highway to work. A recent leak in the power steering is being addressed by the dealer. The rack is being replaced and the dealer provided a loaner car over the Labor day Holiday. We have been treated very well by everyone since the car purchase.

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  transmission questionable - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Mag - June 5 - 11:40 pm

  Ive only had this vehicle about 3 weeks and am extremely satisfied with everything about it except for the transmission. There definitely is a slip in the transmission. It doesnt happen on every acceleration from a stop, but enough to make it irritating.It almost seems like a down- shift jerk (automatic trans.)after it has already shifted into second,it drops, or jerks into a lower gear and immediately shifts again to the gear that it previously was in. This has happened to me only 5-6 times in 3 weeks. After reading the other review about the transmission problem I see that its not just me out there with this problem. And evidently,theres no help from Hyundai corp.

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  Nothing but problems - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Tessa - June 3 - 1:30 pm

  We have had our 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe for seven years. In that time it has been a very costly car to maintain. Within the first two years we had two major fuel issues, the leather interior started to peel away in areas, a battery that didnt even make the 2 years before dying suddenly and tires that were done long before the warranty. The amount that we would have gotten on the pro-rate for the battery and tires was so minimal that we went outside of Hyundai to replace and got better warranties with longer life. Within the past year we had a low fuel sensor issue that I have come to learn is not uncommon for Hyundai products and a high ticket repair (over $800). Now its the rack and pinion steering (over $1400). Im sure that some owners are fortunate and dont have the lemon issues that we have had. We have a Honda that is 14 years old have never had these issues. Having to deal with so many issues I know that I will never purchase another Hyundai automobile. Considering the price that we paid for it, one would think that the quality would be better.

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  Good vehilcle a couple problems - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By satisfied - April 28 - 2:30 am

  We bought our 2008 Sante fe after looking at Ford, Chev, Toyota and Chrysler and decided that the Sante Fe was an all better deal, price wise, handling and style. We had a problem with the airbag sensor which was irratic, coming on and going off was not predicatable. This was finally fixed. Also the accelerator sensor acted up. The vehicle would pulsate from 600 RPM to 1500 RPM. The sensor was replced and now works well. Love the interior design especially the dashboard lighting. Exterior design is also good.

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  First Hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Nvr*lost - April 19 - 6:33 am

  I continue to be impressed with this vehicle. I was hesitant to buy based on Hyundais old image with cheap cars. I have only had it for about a month and keep discovering things that impress me. For instance, the gas mileage for highway. level road, 65 mph is up to 30.4 mpg. And until I drove it in the dark, I did not realize how cool the dash lights and all other lighting on the console, steering wheel and armrests were this cool violet blue. The Infinity stereo system is overkill for me, but has nice sound. Nice road handling. I would highly recommend this vehicle.

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  satisfied so far - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By jack - April 15 - 1:56 am

  Just purchased, only have 600 miles on vehicle. Has plenty of power highway mpg good. Local was only 15.5 mpg. Transmission smooth shifting, front seats very comfortable. Shiftronic function is useful. Interior and exterior give an excellent appearance. Standard features include many that are options with other manufacters.

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  Worse car Ive ever owned - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Tim G - March 22 - 4:39 pm

  So many problems I hope I can remember them all.At 33k miles I started having problems with the vehicle shutting off when trying to accelerate from a complete stop.Not a great problem to have when turning in front of oncoming traffic.After many days Hyundai finally found a pin loose under the dash and also a bad catalytic converter.At 45k the fuel level sensor went bad causing a inaccurate fuel gauge.At 49k a new stalling problem started.When slowing down all the engine and all electrical would shutdown forcing me to drift to the side of road and attempt to restart.That was the last straw in my Hyundai nightmare.I promptly traded the lemon in and couldnt be happier having something reliable now.Will never purchase a Hyundai ever again or suggest buying one to a friend or family member.

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  Loving it! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Brian - March 7 - 11:36 pm

  I bought an 06 and put 48000 miles on it. I had 0 problems with it and told anybody who would listen how much I loved it. I didnt even replace a taillight! I just got an 08 and its even better. Steering is lighter and braking is better. Acceleration is better. Interior is much nicer! Easier to operate controls and nicer console. I loved my truck so much I went to work for Hyundai selling them. My enthusiasm for Hyundai wins customers over!

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  Definitely NOT worth $30,000 - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Stacy V - February 4 - 9:16 pm

  I chose my brand new Santa Fe over a used Lexis with 15K miles. WORST mistake ever. Just a months after owning it I had to have the carpet replaced twice and bumper repainted because paint was peeling off. Now after 20K miles the dash is peeling and the leather seats have rubbed down to nothing leaving a rip in the driver seat. Im 54", weigh 120lbs but they say its not covered under warranty because Im not entering my car the right way. The latches on the third row seat broke and had to be replaced. Im scared what the value is going to be if I decide not to keep it.

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  Second Hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Hyundai owner - January 22 - 1:10 am

  We purchased this car one year ago after looking at RAV-4, CR-V, Escape, Murano, Rogue, and Tuscon. We might not have ever considered it except we have a 2000 Hyundai Accent that has been fantastic. This is pretty much my dream car. It has 99% of the features I really wanted (leather, sunroof, wheel-mounted audio controls, CD/MP3 with changer, blue lights...just missing the auxiliary jack which I hear they now have on the 2009 model). My husband and I actually mistook it for a Lexus in a Target parking lot a few months after we bought it. The interior materials are top-notch and I actually like the firm ride.