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 1 through 10 of 157.00

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  Navigation problematic - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By KF - September 29 - 2:06 am

  The Santa Fe handles very well in the snow and is much better than my other 4 wheel drive. After 8000 miles however the navigation/radio unit went out. Sent it to Hyundai dealer for warranty work and the part is back ordered indefinitely. Reportedly there are 50+ on back order ahead of me so apparently this is not an isolated incident. So I selected this vehicle because of the nav and other upgrades and they are unreliable. Fuel mileage is about 21.9 mpg.

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  Solid choice for the money - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dan - September 17 - 9:50 pm

  Hyundai is obviously not Toyota or Honda..that being said the Santa Fe is our third Hyundai SUV and we have never had major issues with any of them. The ride in this SUV is by far the quietest and most comfortable of other SUVs in ITS PRICE RANGE. We also have a 2008 CRV and the Santa Fe is a much better pic for highway travel. Gas mileage on the other hand has not improved from our older Santa Fe. I consistently get 21mpg mixed driving. You will not get 24mpg on a tank,ever. On a road trip I managed 23mpg going 70mph. Our AWD CRV averages 25mpg...then again its lighter and a 4cyl. Fit and finish is great; front seat is not good for tall drivers..but acceptable. Trade-in is terrible

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  More than I expected for what I paid - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By panoguy - July 13 - 10:10 pm

  First looked at CRV, RAV4, 09 Forester, Outlander, and Outback (in that order). Finally got over my fear of Hyundai from the old Excel days and tried the Santa Fe. Bingo! The Santa Fe strikes a great balance between size, mpg, comfort and performance (for an SUV). Plus, it has many luxury "extras" standard (except an iPod jack, which I added). Drove nearly 1000 miles in the first week and love it! Interior fit and finish is Lexus-excellent, and outside it looks like most other "luxury mini- SUVs" after the redesign in 07. The Limited trim has a great stereo, leather heated seats, sunroof - all for the price of a mid-level CR-V or RAV4. Reliability is said to be good, but well see...

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  Not Perfect but Very Good - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By SantaFe Fan - April 14 - 9:13 pm

  I was hesitant about buying a Hyundai vehicle because of their past reputation. Liked the look of the redesigned Santa Fe and read positive reviews so decided to purchase and very glad I did. The Santa Fe has been a reliable and enjoyable vehicle for over 15 months. The ride is a little firm but not overly jarring and there is a rattle somewhere in the back that comes and goes. The local Hyundai dealer has been very pleasant to deal with for scheduled services. So far Im very pleased with the vehicle.

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  Junk - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By kat - December 25 - 6:10 pm

  Never buy a Santa Fe again. It was brand new had it 1 week the AC tore up had to return it to dealership 1 year later the Throttle Sensor went out after taking it to the dealership 2 times and saying they couldnt find the problem. When it is in Idle in jumps and feels like its gonna quit all the time. Never again will I buy a Hyundai my first and last. I only get 17 miles to the gallon of gas.

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  Not Impressed so far - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By JR_Colorado - November 29 - 9:26 pm

  With only 600 miles I am starting to feel like this was a bad decision. Transmission is already acting strange. It cant seem to find the right gear going up a hill. Very frustrating. Dealer says this may be a "break in" issue, but I have never had a transmission have a "break in" period, so I am skeptical. installing the roof rack rails was VERY frustrating. Broke one of the rail covers putting the rails on. Poorly designed rail system. Whats up with the rear blinkers. I do not feel safe with blinkers mostly on the side and not in the rear!!!!! What were their engineers thinking. I fell for the $3000 REBATE. I just hope I am wrong about this vehicle.

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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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  Leaks - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By anne - November 27 - 5:10 am

  I purchased a used 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe with 5500 miles on it for 18,900 and then it rained saturating the rugs on the drivers side with water. Two days later it was back at the dealership. They put it through the car wash and said the leak was coming from the door and that it would be ready in two days. They then called and said they were going to keep it two weeks. I took it back home waxed it and kept it in the garage. Last Saturday it poured, I had left it outside and again the rugs were saturated with water. Resealing of the windshield didnt work. This experience has soured me on Hyundais although I really liked the feel and large cargo area. Carmax took the vehicle back.

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  Really nice car - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dave - November 11 - 6:26 am

  I just traded in a 2001 BMW X5 so once I got over the BMW/Hynudai issue, I was fine. Its a great car for the money. I originally purchased the GLS but went back the next day and got the SE. I like the little extras, especially the on wheel audio controls, compass in the rear view mirror, trip computer, and more.

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  2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.7L 4A - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By PJ - August 10 - 4:50 pm

  All in all a nice vehicle. The GLS is a smooth ride, and offers a fair amount of luxury at a competitive price. Its spacious cabin provides plenty of room and added compartments for the person looking for the mid-size utility vehicle. Add to that, an assortment of models and options available for those looking to customize their vehicle. Its a bit slow and sluggish on acceleration and could definitely stand to gain more horsepower. However, once up to speed it performs just fine. Id rate the car an 8 out of 10.