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 61 through 70 of 157.00

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  Not recommended - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JMJ - December 21 - 6:06 pm

  Very disappointed in this car. I loved driving it in the beginning, but Ive had to bring it in for service at least 5+ times since buying it for "check engine" light coming on. Car has also died on me twice. These issues should not be happening when a car is brand new. Dealership always tells me they cant find anything wrong with it. Even told them that I dont feel safe driving the car, and all they could respond with was "Well, you have roadside assistance available." (Not exactly the most comforting thing to hear). The dealership is now wanting to buy the car back due to their shortage of 2008 pre-owned Santa Fe vehicles. I am MORE than willing to sell it back to them!!

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  I love my santa fe - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By hyundai owner - December 19 - 9:26 am

  I purchased this vehicle and have had it a month. I am very pleased with the gas mileage (around 24-25mpg). This has not been highway driving. I think the interior is well designed and thought out. I love the fold down armrest in the back with cupholders. It is very easy to fold down the seats for carrying bigger items (much easier than the ford escape previously owned). I love the blue lights on the dash and interior. All in all, I am pleased with the vehicle. The warranty certainly adds to the attractiveness. I have owned numerous vehicles that developed issues after the 36,000 or 50,000 mile warranty and the dealer offers free loaner vehicles to boot.

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  Love My New Limited Santa Fe - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rknd - December 10 - 3:33 am

  Having owned for 2 months now I know we made the right choice. I did tons of research, test drove and compared the Vue, CRV, Rav4 among others. The Santa Fe was always my favorite. My husband is a Ponitac/GMC man and was very skeptical on buying a foreign car. The Santa Fe won him over! Everyone who rides in it cant believe how quiet it is. And no more complaining from the kids in the back seat. They love the reclining seats. Gas mileage 19-20 city/24.5 hwy

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  GREAT COMFORT AND WONDERFUL PRICE - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By C.Silor - November 3 - 2:29 am

  Before I bought this SUV I did my homework, looked at all issues and prices and many pages of reviews from other owners, I love the wider stance it has, my 04 Jeep Liberty limited was narrow and very cramped, the A/C is great, shifting is smooth, I bought a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.7liter FWD 4speed automatic tranny, it rides smooth, MY husband is 62 and he said its like sitting in a recliner, quiet cabin, rocking sound system, great location of vents, for passengers, amazing storage space, (my aunt just bought a 2015 Cadillac SUV and it has small storage area no spare tire or jack yuk and it feels cramped) when she seen my SUV she was amazed at the room and the price I got it used in 6/2016 with 67403 miles on it for $9500 I have searched around and found I got a HELL of a DEAL... Super happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! December 2017, still enjoy the car. I have about 108000 miles now from 67000 when I bought it. No issues, still runs and drives great... UPDATE DECEMBER 17TH 2016 Still love my 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, very roomy have used it for myself and in-laws grocery shopping and have tons of room... no mechanical issues, rides straight and smooth.

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  Still breaking it in - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Austin - October 31 - 10:43 am

  So far I have not experienced any of the transmission issues that others are talking about. I have nothing but good things to say about this vehicle. I have custom 2 tone leather seats in it and they are fantastic. Have no issues with any of the instruments or controls. Im averaging about 16.8 mpg (only 400 miles on the vehicle and nothing but city driving, no hwy miles really). The torque and hp is a LITTLE low but all that does is teach me to accelerate without a sense of being in a race all the time. That saves gas anyway so I think its fine. At speed I have no problem getting in and out of traffic. By the way my previous vehicle was a VW Jetta VR6 and this gets better mpg.

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  The sum is more than its parts... - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By mbanas1 - October 31 - 10:20 am

  Wow, has Hyundai come a long way since the early 90s cheapo cars! Fit and finish of the Santa Fe are top notch, very solid and stable feeling on the road, great 3.3L engine (powerful and Im getting 24.5 mpg avg., mostly hwy), best balance between interior space and exterior dimensions (between a CR-V and Pilot) for a family, and huge value for the price (beneath the CR-V). Almost a perfect "family roadtrip" vehicle that is also nice in the parking lots and side streets. However, if you do a daily commute in heavy traffic you might not appreciate the best parts of this car (its quiet ride, 5-speed automatic, comfortably supportive seats), and you will definitely get worse mpg!

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  Much better than expected - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By panophotog - October 10 - 2:53 pm

  Never thought Id buy a Hyundai (after many Toyotas, Hondas and recently Subarus), but the 2008 Santa Fe Ltd. had all the features, mpg, comfort and room I was looking for. Im getting 22 mpg average, and everything is rock solid after 3k miles. This car is *quiet* inside, and everything feels well thought out and well put together. The Ltd. has a great stereo, quality leather, all the options, and looks and feels like a Lexus EX. The CR-V and RAV4 are nice, but smaller and less comfortable - and they cut corners and it feels like it. The Santa Fe is less $, but nowhere does it feel cheap, and I continue to find things that make me say "hey, thats nice they thought of that."

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  Great Suv - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By e, comer - July 9 - 4:36 am

  My family and I are pretty pleased with our purchase. The suv is roomy but also small enough to handle & park easily. We love it. We had an easy time purchasing the auto from the dealer but the dealer once we went off the lot didnt care what happened after that. We had two incidents happen as we drove off the lot and one has not been addressed yet by them... yet they state that the autos go thru a 37 pt inspection. Will probably not buy from this dealership again, but will definitely buy another Suv like this one as we are enjoying it.

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  Buyer beware! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dj - July 3 - 1:20 am

  I agree with previous posters, very bad transmission that definitely bogs and slips when cold. Hyundai has a horrible warranty service because they will always try to discount the problem. Poor quality. Gas mileage is about 20% lower than the sticker averages on the vehicle. Just another falsehood.

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  love my santa fe - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rhinesstonegal - June 26 - 3:43 pm

  This is my 3rd Hyundai and my favorite so far. I had a Sonata and a GLS 350. I have had 3 Volvos, 3 BMWs and a Porsche Boxster and frankly for the money, its an excellent car. I have all the options in high end cars. I saw someone complain about their service but I have had wonderful service. Twice they have fixed things for free that would not have been covered under warranty. As long as all goes well with this car, I will probably buy another.