Overview & Reviews
Since the Santa Fe was redesigned recently, Hyundai's midsize crossover includes only minor changes for the 2009 model year. All Santa Fes now get standard iPod and USB inputs, plus upgraded stereos. Also, SE and Limited versions now get a towing prep package and roof rack cross rails as standard.
- Well-designed cabin, impressive standard safety features and crash-test scores, competitive price, great 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 88.00-
everything is great except mpg - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By joemoose - May 21 - 8:10 pmengine is very quiet...cabin is also extremely quiet...handles great...windows and doors close nice and tight...plenty of leg room and 2nd row seat backs recline for added comfort...sound system more than adequate...so far my only complaint is city mpg, about 11 mpg,I can only hope this improves with initial break in period...I haven;t been on a road trip yet to see an overall average
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2009 Santa Fe SE AWD - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By JBird - March 22 - 3:13 amTraded a 2007 Subaru Forester for the Santa Fe to get some added interior and cargo space and so far Im very pleased. Got a terrific end of year deal too. Almost bought a GLS. Very happy I did not. The GLS is underpowered, plus the SE has all the looks of the Limited minus leather for a couple thousand less. I have one major peeve and a couple minor peeves. The major peeve is no daytime running lamps. For a 2009 vehicle, this is a must have safety feature. Minor peeves are Hyundai should give drivers control over the sensitivity of the automatic headlights sensor, and headroom is cramped if you opt for a sunroof.
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New Car conks out - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Smiths - June 20 - 10:00 am2009 Sante Fe conked out at the exit ramp. It was a bit dangerous since the ramp had a blind curve. I stopped at the light at the end of the ramp, when it turned green and depressed gas pedal, the car just died. During this time I tried starting it off and on, no luck. After 45 min tow truck came, then I tried to start again and started right up. Ive traded it in, I couldnt trust it anymore. I do travel a lot, and alone sometimes, so I dont want to be on the side of the road broke down. The dealership couldnt find anything wrong with it. If it werent for that one breakdown incident, I loved the vehicle. Too paranoid it would break down again. limited back view
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Value for Money - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Sandeep - February 15 - 3:53 amIt is certainly value for money. Very spacious in its segment. The exterior design is eye catching while the quality of ride is of high quality
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Great Value for an SUV - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By jerseyan - July 29 - 11:02 pmI have the 2009 GLS 2.7L AWD. I went from a 4wd Silverado to the SUV with no regrets. My major construction days are done, and driving around paying a fortune for fuel with an empty truck bed 94% of the time seemed like a good reason to let it go. I wanted a new vehicle, without breaking the bank. I opted for the GLS vs. the upscale version not because of affordability, but it had all I needed, why pay more for the more expensive model? It came with the hands free Bluetooth and I added a trailer hitch for those occasional trips to the home centers. The roof racks and crossbars came with the vehicle, but if I had to purchase them, how often do you travel with items on the roof? The 3.3L engine to me wasnt worth the added cost. The 2.7L has more than enough power, and with the AWD and autoshift, it is excellent in the snow. I have averaged on the highway anywhere from 18 to almost 24mpg. For a vehicle this size I feel it is pretty good. The newer models claim to get 28. Some reviews have said the cabin noise is loud with the windows down. I think most cars at 70mph with the windows down have a lot of cabin noise. Adding air deflectors / vent visors around the windows helps keep the air noise to a minimum when the windows are open. Financing all those add on items over time adds up. When you buy a vehicle you are paying a ton in interest for the mud flaps, fog lights, cargo cover, etc. being somewhat handy, I buy the aftermarket items as I can afford them, or get them on e-bay at a reduced price. As far as resale, after five years its a moot point after that, and if you plan on keeping a vehicle 7 to 10 years, who really cares about resale? At 26,000 miles, I have had no major problems, and have not been back to the dealer for any repairs. Changing the oil, filters, rotating tires at regular intervals for any vehicle, along with regular maintenance is key to longevity of any vehicle. If youre looking for more power, heavy towing, or going from 0 to 60 in 30 seconds, this isnt the vehicle for you. The Santa Fe is a great all around vehicle, quiet, comfortable, elegant and has plenty of storage, with the seats down it is more than adequate. It handles bad weather like a walk in the park. Hyundai is underrated, and is a very versatile all-around vehicle. This SUV is very capable of handling rough, gravel, dirt, muddy and off the beaten path roads. It will hold your camping gear, skis, golf clubs, kids, soccer gear, and is able to tow your ski doodles, motorcycles or trailerable items such as moving furniture for your kids. If you are looking to cross over 12 streams, boulders, tow a 40 foot Chris Craft, and drive across the Appalachian Trail, go purchase a Jeep or adequately equipped pickup. Or if you want to be gone in 60 seconds the minute the light changes green why are you looking at a Santa Fe?
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Wonderful Vehicle but Fuel Mileage? - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By JB63 - June 23 - 2:20 pmBought the Santa Fe for its price, appearance an build and of today am very happy with all elements except for the fuel mileage. Small gas tank and far less than advertised mileage keeps you in the gas station way too much. Mileage in town has been 15.5- 16, and to date, the best I have been able to get highway driving has been 20.5 mpg! That is on remote two lanes at 60 MPH.
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Good Transportation - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Spike - January 12 - 2:36 pmThis is a nice ride. It is fairly quiet, and feels sounds solid. It has a good quality feel to it. The cloth seats are comfortable, supportive and heated. Sun roof opens with one touch. Nice storage in the back. Rear passengers are comfortable. The get up and go is a little slow with the 2.7 L, but I didnt get it as a sports car. Living in Alaska I needed something that could give me good traction and keep me moving in a lot of snow and ice. The stock tires seem good and I dont need dedicated winter tires. The mpg is about what I would expect with a awd small v-6. I get about 20 in town in the summer and 17 in the winter with little highway driving. It fills my need wonderfully!
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Another Santa Fe - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Mike - December 3 - 7:16 pmAfter test drive i realized how better it was than my 06 other than engine it was completely redesigned. I loved the 06 never any problems in almost 4 years so i traded it for the 09 leftover and have not been disappointed. Fun to drive and it looks like the more expensive SUVs in its class.
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very happy - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By caper - September 7 - 4:20 pmOriginally we wanted an X3, but found dollars for value way out of whack. We then test drove a Rav4, Escape, Murano, Compass, Equinox and finally on a why not premise the Hyundai. It was miles ahead in quality look/feel, and features. I seriously dont see how pro reviewers can favor a Toyota which felt like a tin can, and bounced all over the place to this. Warranty/Finance rates and simply pleasure of driving sets this apart. If you havent drove one try it out youll be pleasantly surprised. We were so much we bought is 7 days later. Keep up the good work Hyundai...you may have made a customer for life.
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Bang for Your Buck - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
By cj8drummer - August 18 - 11:53 pmVery happy with vehicle overall. I think Hyundai is offering a lot of upscale features for a reasonable price. I have three kids that are hard on a car. The leather is definitely a winner and the interior feels nice. I opted to pass on the third row which at times Im sure Ill miss but I really didnt want to give up the storage space that you lose when adding the third row.
