Overview & Reviews

One of Hyundai's longest-running nameplates, the Santa Fe is a car-based crossover SUV aimed at buyers seeking the elevated ride height and useful cargo area of a traditional utility vehicle in an easy-to-drive package. Modern versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe are midsize with three rows of seating, quality cabin furnishings and user-friendly tech features. Whether you're shopping for a new or used Santa Fe, value is a big part of its appeal. The standard equipment list is generous, as is Hyundai's warranty coverage.

Earlier versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe range from compact to midsize in dimensions and have seating for five passengers. The 2007 and later models are a big step up in styling, performance and interior space, and they're worth considering if you're shopping for a used midsize crossover. Hyundai has since subdivided the Santa Fe line into two models: the two-row Santa Fe Sport and the three-row Santa Fe. The latter is more luxurious than its predecessors, offering premium styling and plenty of power.

User Reviews:

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  Best SUV for the Money - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By DonP - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I researched all the available SUVs that I could get for less than $30k. The Santa Fe is a solid car with many features that I like. So far no major problems at 17,000 miles. I did have to have it into the dealer FOUR times for emission problems. RV mirror came loose, and rear window defroster does not work. LIKE: Good power, solid handling, many features such as heated seats, sun roof. DISLIKE: Door arm rest are hard as a rock and very uncomfortable. Why? Horizontal buttons on the console are too easy to push accidentally - very irritating. Rear seats do not fold down flat, reducing utility.

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  Hate the jerky ride - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By annette conwau - October 9 - 11:16 pm

  The accelarator is a nightmare...there is a lag time between touching the pedal and the movement of the car. It is VERY difficult to hold at a constant speed if you are driving under 30 miles per hour. The ride is so distracting that it is hard to enjoy any other aspect of the car. The passenger side air bag is almost impossible to activate when someone sits in the seat. In a crash, it would be useless.

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  Terrible Purchase - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By leafsrule - August 9 - 1:39 pm

  I have owned this car for 1100 kms and so far the two front seats needed to be repaired as they came lose and wobbled. But my biggest problem is the car has no heat in the rear vents. An issue for car owners in Canada! Took it to the dealership and they said it was a design issue and nothing they could do? So, I am stuck with a car that doesnt heat the back-half of the car. Actually it blows cold air, which makes it worse. The car looks great, but stay away from this one, looks are deceiving.

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  Look for something else!!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Dayna - July 24 - 1:46 pm

  I bought this vehicle almost totally based on looks then the problems started i put a new transmission in it at 22,000 KM then i got it towed to Saskatoon cause the speedometer was bouncing up and down and the check engine light came on got it there and they said nothing was wrong then the found that the brain was not working they replaced that then the sunroof started to leak so they replaced that after they did that it leaked worse now they say there is nothing they can do to fix it then i broke down on my way to Edmonton the fuel control throttle went on it and they had it for about a week to fix that i have had nothing but problems i talked to Hyundai Canada and they wont do anything!!

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  Work that warranty - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Disgruntled - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but trouble with my new Santa Fe. Oil leak at rear engine seal. Vibrations and wheel shaking above 60 mph. Poor voltage regualtion under load. High pitched whining noise between 40-45 mph. 4 trips to the dealer with less than 5K miles. Going to test the Lemon Law in my state.

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  Lied to Deceived - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By BOB - June 23 - 5:03 pm

  The dealer never informed me of the outrageous and extremely costly maintenance schedule. Didnt know I was buying a Jaguar!! Better think twice about buying!! Timing belt must be replaced at 60,000 at a cost of at least $600. If you dont replace, and something goes, you buy a new engine. If Hyundai is so confident of powertrain warranty. They should step up to plate and warranty timing belt to 100,000. Gas mileage a joke!

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  My Last Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By fernellav - May 25 - 8:17 am

  Bought a 2011 on 01/15/2011 started experiencing transmission prob late 2011, Jan 2012 vehicle no longer wants to go into park or reverse need to turn off and turn on. only driver and 8000 miles. Customer service is non-existent everyone bouncing me around cannot provide me with a loaner to get around my sales rep tells me he is no mechanic the dealer where bought sends me to another dealer really? I traded it and got me an escape trust this works better at least I know their customer service is way better having had a ford before

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  Not pleased - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Houston TX - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Very disappointed with mileage. Best mileage Ive gotten is 17.5 and thats highway. No head room for anyone over 6ft, little leg room. Seats are very uncomfortable for long trips. After reading other reviews, Im wondering what car theyre talking about. Were on our 3rd battery in 2 years!

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  OK car, bad choice for me - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Ricardo Ho - January 25 - 4:46 pm

  I bought an AWD Limited Santa Fe a year ago.It is an okay car. Some squeak and rattles, but I never had any mechanical failure. The sound is relatively good. Initially, it drives ok. I later found the the front seats were too high and very uncomfortable. It takes me a month to find that out and I develop a serious lower back pain that affects my sleep. The leather used in Santa Fe does not last. I decide to change car to ease my lower back pain. Most dealer were only willing to trade it for 1/3 of the price I paid. I end up give Hyundai another try since they gave highest trade in value. I still lost half of my investment.

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  Rear seat rattle - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Nighthawk50 - October 21 - 12:53 pm

  My Sante Fe is now 14 month old. Four time, I have asked the dealer to fix a rattle in the right rear seat back. They have never accomplished a fix. They even replaced the latching mechanism. The fourth request to fix, after driving 70 miles round trip and waiting 2 hours again, including an oil change, I was told that the seatback rattle is NORMAL in an SUV. I contacted Hyundai customer service and was told, in broken English, the same cock-and-bill story that it is normal for an adjustable seat back to rattle. I told them thats bull, that family and friends have other make SUVs that dont have seatback rattles and Ill never buy or recommend a Hyundai to anyone if thats their response.