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 71 through 80 of 157.00

• 

  One great vehicle to own - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Peter L - June 21 - 8:33 am

  There are 4 Hyundais in our family.I priced and test drove 4-5 other similar suvs but for the money and quality you cant beat the Santa Fe. .My wife just loves it and after one of her girl friends saw it and drove it she went out and purchased one.The car sell itself.

• 

  Rare Problem - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Cruzian - June 12 - 10:46 pm

  Comfortable to drive, and build quality seems decent overall. So far 48 days in the shop with a head gasket leak. Actually, the factory FORGOT TO INSTALL THE REAR HEAD GASKET so it was a compression leak, but a tiny leak only when hot. I wish the dealer had pulled the heads first instead of trying everything else first. Well see how well it does with a properly assembled engine.

• 

  AMAZING. - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By L.Murphy - May 30 - 12:03 am

  Fuel economy not the greatest. But compared to a truck, its great. The only thing Im not totally impressed by is the 2nd and 3rd row air ducts for heating. they dont blow as hard or as hot of air as the front do. Other than that it truly is the smartest and best buy Ive done in a long time. Great job to Hyundai, and building vehicles that extremely reliable.

• 

  Versatile and reliable - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bryan Rauworth - December 7 - 3:17 am

• 

  Very Nice! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By paulnz - November 18 - 11:33 am

  Consumer Reports summed it up in one word - pleasant! It is an all-around nice vehicle. Nice ride, comfortable, good power, safe, and very quiet. After putting 1,600 miles on it, I am more impressed with it now than when we originally purchased it. We tried the competitors - Rav, CRV, Forester - but the Santa Fe beat them all in our book. We were hesitant to purchase because of the past unreliable reputation of Hyundai, but took a chance. Hopefully it will prove as reliable as a Honda or Toyota over time. The long warranty offers some peace of mind as well.

• 

  SRS Issues Following OCS Recall Fix - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By donmou - November 2 - 10:38 pm

  The vehicle was serviced June 2013 for the following recalls: SRS PODS and Stop Lamp Switch Replacement. After the recalibration of the SRS PODS system, the Airbag (AIR) warning lamp in the dashboard remained on. The front seat belt tensioner was replaced free of charge, but 9 months later the AIR light came on again and the entire seat needs to be replaced at a cost of $2400 plus tax and labor. I never had any problems with the SRS system until after the recallibration of the SRS PODS system. Prior to this, the transmission and Hydraulic Brake Control Unit were replaced in 2009. The noise thought to be the transmission (prob. valves) went away around 50,000 miles.

• 

  top suv - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dim75 - October 17 - 6:40 pm

  Just buy it. It competes equally every other model Japanese, European or American get a test drive immediately.

• 

  Hated It - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By elawhy - October 13 - 6:20 am

  Traded a 2005 4WD Santa Fe which I loved. The minute I drove this car off the lot, I could not stand the ride. Overly felt every road bump. The entire driving experience was nerve wracking. Felt a vibration through my hands on the steering wheel, my foot and up my leg from the gas pedal and in my seat. Drive 20 miles to work and arrived so nerved up because of this. Dealership maintains this is normal. Traded it after 4 days for a 2009 Sonata. Too Bad !!!

• 

  BAD fuel economy - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ron - September 3 - 1:56 pm

  We have had this suv for about 9 months. We had been promised that it would get about 24 mpg on the highway, NOT. If we drive it like a little old lady, it only gets 18. If you are looking to save a few bucks on gas, do not buy a Santa Fe!!!! The car itself seems well built and the kids like the reclining back seats. (One of the reasons we bought the car). I am 6 2" and the driver seat could go back a little more. NOT A BAD CAR, JUST BAD MPG!!!!!! Hyundai should be made to pull the ads about mileage.

• 

  BAD! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By hvinroe_2006 - August 25 - 11:26 pm

  I cant help it this SUV suffers from just plain bad transmission! It makes the driving experience horrible and the dealerships make it worse. They are unwilling to recognize that this transmission slips and has problems. Go figure! Do not buy this until Hyundai is willing to replace this transmission with one that is effective on this powertrain.