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-
noise issue - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By carol - October 30 - 2:48 pmI just bought used 2009 Santa Fe pads and rotors replaced by dealer 1 wheel bearing 2 new tires after about a week it is making a clunking noise when braking and still getting the annoying howling noise from back dealer is going to replace the other wheel bearing but the clunking noise is a concern of course they said they didnt hear it any suggestions? I had my car for just over 2 years and the timing chain went still had bad wheel barings ended up junking the car (killed me) I loved my car feel the dealer sold me a car with issues. I still owed on it too... Bought a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. (Not my SUV) but a newer year.
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Best crossover suv - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By sandyc1 - September 2 - 4:33 pmI love the way my new suv drives , its so smooth and my family and I love the space it provides us on long rides . The safety features are incredible and rides great in the snow and on our off road street to our home . I could not be any more pleased .
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Happy with my Hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Steve C - July 21 - 11:40 amI got a great deal on a year old Santa Fe with 14K miles, and very glad I bought it. The ride is very quiet and comfortable, and theres ample room for 4-5 people. It handles well and the 3.3 liter V-6 gives it plenty of power. I get ~24 mpg highway, and overall average 22 mpg, with about 70% highway driving. My 02 Subaru Outback averaged about 23 mpg, and considering the Santa Fe is larger, roomier and much more powerful, Im happy with the mileage. The interior of the Hyundai feels fairly upscale, and it is SO much quieter than my Subie ever was. Considering the size, it has a remarkably tight turning circle. The Santa Fe is a great choice if youre looking for a mid-size crossover SUV!
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Pleasant Surprise from Hyundai - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Tamma - June 20 - 4:16 pmResearched for over 2 months for a good SUV and zeroed onto Acura MDX and Hyundai Santa Fe. Of course, both cars are not in the same league to compare, but when value for money and budget push to make a choice, Santa Fe is a nice pick. Drove about 2K miles in last 40 days and its been a great ride so far. Its very smooth, nice pick-up and a great handling. Rides like a car. Mileage improved to 21 MPG HWY from 17 MPG HWY over the period. I prefer fill up with Premium fuel as I get better pick-up and less engine noise than the regular fuel.I think $100/year extra on fuel for better engine life, pick up and good feel is worth paying for(purely personal opinion) Two Thumbs up, Hyundai :)
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Smooth ride - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Peggy - June 6 - 12:29 pmDont get the light interior
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Best SUV in lower price range - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Tom - June 5 - 12:23 amThis is definitely the best SUV that I can find for under 20K. The build quality is superb. I got 26 Mpg on high way. I really do not understand why some reviewers are complaining about fuel efficiency. At least I am very satisfied with 26 MPG. City MPG measure is not reliable. The control and handling is excellent, and the suspension is just right, stiffer than my Camry, which has a really soft suspension, but softer than CRV and Mazda. Cruise is comfortable.
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Great Value - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By DM126 - May 4 - 1:16 pmMy wife and I spent 2-3 months researching the purchase of a new vehicle to replace our worn-out Mazda MPV minivan. Final decision came down to the Santa Fe and Toyota Rav4.The Santa Fe won primarily on the greater "bang for our buck". The Santa Fe has more than adequate power. The ride is smooth and quiet. The interior is well thought out and comfortable. The exterior styling is attractive, but not "over-done". This vehicle is a pleasure to drive. I will have to see how reliability will be over time, but Hyundais great warranty helps with piece of mind in that area.
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Great Choice For A Family Vehicle - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Tom - December 17 - 9:30 amWe traded in a Dodge Grand Caravan for the Santa Fe and so far its been a great family vehicle. The kids really appreciate the pillar mounted air vents in the back. I had the dealer change the computer options to automatically lock all the doors at the lowest speed setting (this option is not enabled by default and is a free service). Mostly in-town driving at about 18 MPG and 1 highway trip at about 26MPG. Our tires we also over- inflated by about 10 pounds. Lowering to the recommended pressure helped improve the ride. Interior is well crafted and quite with the blue lights adding a cool accent for night driving. Very happy with this purchase so far!
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Early impression is very good - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By deo89 - October 28 - 2:13 amI did quite a bit of online research and a few test drives before purchasing. Ive only had the Santa Fe for a week, but I am happy so far. It fits my needs. Auto transmission is quick to 2nd gear and smooth. Combined city and hwy driving is netting 21.5 MPG. Plenty of seat/shoulder room which was an issue in some other mid/compact SUVs. Interior looks sharp with the black leather and I love the blue accent lighting. The hidden storage area in the rear will be very useful for sports gear and more. The tweeters on the Infinity speakers have a high-pitched whine at low volumes. Wife and dealership cant hear it. I sat in another Limited w/Infinity speakers and whine is there too.
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transmission questionable - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Mag - June 5 - 11:40 pmIve 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.
