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 31 through 40 of 157.00

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  Still undecided if I made right choice - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Iownahyundai? - August 14 - 1:43 pm

  I owned a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer LT, loaded to the max. Sunroof,dual zone auto climate. Everything but the kitchen sink was in this truck. I loved driving it but the gas was killing me and the lease was up. I own a 08 Elantra and Im happy with it so I figured I would check out the Sante Fe. Fit and finish is good but I dont think the ride is so smooth. When Im doing 60mph and up I can feel it. On my trailblazer when I was doing 60 it felt like I was going 30mph Gas Mileage is between 18 and 19mpg and this is mostly all highway, so I am not to impressed with the mpg. Santa Fe is basically for the wifey and she likes it but my next truck will be a GM if theyre around:)

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  Excellent Value - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By scojay - June 11 - 11:26 am

  After 1000 miles I am still impressed with this SUV. It has a car-like feel with a hint of luxury. Quick when it needs to be, corners well and has sleek curves. I paid $22,900 which represents an excellent value for the features and ride.

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  Great Family Hauler - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Anthony Edu - June 11 - 3:37 am

  Owned the car brand new for about 7 years now and so far it has been good to us. A few recalls were taken care of warranty but one major repair expense outside of warranty was the rack and pinion ($1k/incld labor) since it was leaking heavily from the passenger side. Also, there are traces of oil leaking from the head valve gaskets after 90k. Regular oil maintenance for both engine and transmission have been done religiously according to recommended intervals. Im expecting to pay another $1k @100k for spark plug and valve cover gasket replacement work. It seems that these cars were designed to crap out after warranty and when youre done paying off the loan...SMH

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  Best SUV for the $, but opp. for improve - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By First Timer - April 30 - 10:00 pm

  I spent 40+ hours researching many SUVs and drove several as well (used MDX, X5, X3, RX330, new Outlander, new CRV, new Rogue, new Escape). For the money, this is simply the best value and best looking. Drives like a car, very quiet ride (almost as good as my Toyota Sequoia). I can relate to the hesitation between 1st and 2nd gears now that Ive had for a few weeks. Not as bad as previous reviews, but worth noting, particularly if you are being a "conservative" driver to save gas, which by the way, does not come close to the sticker estimate. We have yet to get to 20 MPG, even on the highway. Thats been the biggest disappointment. Overall, very pleased so far.

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  Great value for your money - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Anthony - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Our Santa Fe has everything to offer for our family of four. Really smooth ride and very fuel-effcient for its size. Only thing is the engines reliability . Only 10500 miles and already there is a small oil leak. Im taking it into the Dealer to get it looked at, but I must say Im disappointed that a brand new car would already start leaking oil.... :-( Overall, I recommend the car for what it has to offer at a reasonable price. Only flaw about the interior is the lack of an auxiliary port, but I found out that the 09 models were equipped with this, standard. Should of waited a lil longer :-/

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  Good SUV, Poor FM Radio - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By John - October 3 - 5:03 pm

  After tons of research, we went with the Santa Fe. Consumers top pick for mid-size SUV. With the warranty and price, seemed like a good deal. Gas MPG is about 20 for city driving. Got the premium package. Heated seat are nice.

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  A Good Choice! - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Joe - July 20 - 5:06 pm

  Bought my Santa Fe used to replace an Oldsmobile Intrigue with a 3.8 liter engine. It had been a rental with 6,000 miles. The ride is comfortable, has plenty of power to move in and out of traffic, it handles well, and it gives better mileage than my Intrigue. Around town I get 19.1 to 20.2, with 24- 26 on the highway (I get about 1.5 to 2.0 less MPG on ethanol blends). No mechanical problems. Purchase the rear plastic mat to cover you carpeting if you are going to haul anything dirty.

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  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.

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  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).

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  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.