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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  Comfortable Vehicle, Underpowered 2.7 V6 - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By skoob38 - August 17 - 10:00 pm

  Have had vehicle for almost a year and have 13,500 miles on it. I get compliments on the vehicles look and comfort from almost everyone who rides in it. Very quiet vehicle on the road. Love the blue lights at night. Only issue so far was buzzing noise underneath, which turned out to be a heat shield near the muffler. Happened again a few months later. I just got under the vehicle and bent the shield away from the muffler, which fixed the issue. Not sure how it happened again! Maybe snow underneath pushing on it? Biggest complaint is the power of the 2.7 V6. I should have got the larger engine. Feels pushed every time I drive it. I avg. only 17MPG. Not good. Never get 23 on HWY.

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  A lot of SUV for the money - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TBPA - August 17 - 7:10 am

  We drove several comparable vehicles in this category (Subaru Forester, Nissan Murano, Subaru Tribeca, Mazda CX-7, Chrysler Pacifica) and for the money the Santa Fe has them all beat, hands down. The features and options list would have cost thousands more in the other models. Driving off of the lot during the test drive, I felt as if this vehicle was in a completely different league compared to the others we had driven. FAVORITE FEATURES (too many to fit below) The interior materials, fit and finish are absolutely top notch. The Navigation option, while sometimes not the greatest at getting you where you need to go the fastest, definitely works well and intuitively.

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  Traded my 2010 Sante Fe - defective transmission - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By khh8 - August 15 - 4:07 pm

  I am so sorry to say, I no longer could live w/ the transmission issues w/ my 2010 sante fe & got rid of it. My initial problems within two months of purchasing: bucking everytime I turned on the car & slamming/thumping into 2nd & 3rd gear w/ slow acceleration and also experienced a hesitation of shifting between 2nd & 3rd. Been to the dealership numerous times & they reset my transmission once. They were able to fix the bucking when the car is turned on. Then took it back for the original problems resurfaced within a few hundred miles. Then they "couldnt duplicate" the issues & told me till they can there is nothing for them to do - as if I am making all this up. BUYERS BEWARE!

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  A lot of car for the buck - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Frank - August 15 - 3:56 pm

  Ive only been in this car about 2 weeks, but, I love it. I just got out of an Infiniti G35X and it is just as fun to drive. This is my first Hyundai and Im very impressed. I have the mid- level SE version and it is a lot of SUV for the buck. My wife has a Jeep Liberty and the ride is harsh. This SUV rides like a dream. It is also roomier. You cant beat the warranty either. The earlier version has weaker lines and the redesign fits right in with what I wanted. The deepwater ocean blue is glittery in the sun and looks hot with the beige interior. Back deck, without the 3rd row seat, has small storage compartments and comes with a thick rubber mat to protect the back. Visibility is excellent.

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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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  The best bang for the buck to date - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Jack W - August 14 - 4:46 am

  First, thank you Edmunds.com for your awesome video review on this vehicle. I watched it and went directly to the nearest dealer and test drove it. I was so impressed with the look and overall quality of the car, that I bought it on the spot. We got an 07 Ltd with just a sun roof, white pearl paint, and floor mats as options. The list of standard features is so long and impressive that I was blown away. This vehicle is built very well too. It feels as tight and handles as well as my old ML 430. Its got a wonderful solid feel on the road. The turning radius is amazing. The creature comforts are beyond good. I am still in shock that a vehicle this nice can be sold for this price. AWESOME!!!

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  junk - 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By gradstudent28 - August 13 - 9:51 pm

  as an engineer I can reassure you this vehicle is junk. flimsy build materials inside and out. thin plastic on the inside, thin metal pieces, and doors. 40k miles the vehicle has more rattles then my dead grandma, and the shocks seem to be worn out!! I would NOT reccomend this vehicle.

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  Great vehicle - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By keef - August 13 - 10:00 am

  I was skeptical when going to test drive about a newer SUV and its quality and sturdiness. It is a solid, tightly constructed vehicle. The Shiftronic trans is great and the 2.7 V6 is very economic, when you are talking about SUVs. It feels safe and has a great rating for safety. How many cars have side air bags standard? A lot of storage compartments and nice features. Drives like a car and has a small turning ratio to get in and out of tight spots.

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  Great Buy!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By PRY1782 - August 8 - 3:00 am

  I have owned my Santa Fe for 2 years and have loved it completely. Taken multiple trips out west and have had no problems. If driven properly on highway, it gets 24mpg. Otherwise it stays around 20mpg. For the money, this is the best SUV to buy. Have yet to get it stuck with the AWD. I would absolutely recommend this vehicle to others and am going to get another one in the future.

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  Fantastic Value for the Money - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Alex - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Weve driven this car just over 6000 miles with 1 long trip and mostly daily commuting. The car is very solidly built. The limited V6 FWD loaded with all the options ran us just under 29K Out the Door. We found this to be a better value than every other car in its class. The cabin is quiet on the highway. The seats are very comfortable for both my wife and I. There is plenty of storage (our previous car was an 07 Murano). We also like the cabin aesthetics. Very few vehicles in this class have fake wood grain on the dash and its quite appealing. Overall the ride is nice, acceleration is great in the v6 and the cabin is quiet on the highway to go along with a great warranty.