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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  Almost too good to be true - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Leo Nolet - January 29 - 10:00 am

  The 3.5 Liter engine makes ALL the difference in the world. Pick-up is SENSATIONAL-better than w/other vehicles w/larger engines!Interior is well thought out w/large storage areas and well placed guages. I wish it had automatic lights and power seats to complete this as my dream vehicle. I would re-buy this model in a heart- beat!

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  great car - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ucla123 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Feel extremely safe and it is fun to drive

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  Much better value than X-3 at 52K - 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bobnoxious1 - January 24 - 7:49 am

  Bought the Limited with every option, navigation, tow package great stereo etc.. Tested SUVs from every maker from Honda, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Subaru etc.. and compared all makers with the features they offered compared to the final price they charged. I found the Hyundai Limited offered the same options as BMW X-3 and the mercedes. One difference was the Hyundai had more power, more legroom and was $23K less out the door than the other two for the same options. But some people just have to have that name on the front. The stereo was fantastic and we ended up subscribing to XM satalite too. The I-pod hook up and phone sync were better than beemers too.

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  Hyundai Santa Fe Limited Ultimate - Great Deal! - 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Darren G. - January 23 - 11:19 am

  This mid SUV has all the bells and whistles for a very good price. Go in and do a test drive. The second row captain seats make this vehicle super comfortable for 4 adult riders. Small adults and children can easily sit in the third row which has its own A/C control and USB outlet. When you fold down the third row you have a great amount of space. If you want to flip down the second row captain chairs (which you can do from the rear hatch) the space is massive. The controls are very understandable and with Infinity speakers this car has a very nice sound system. The Hyundai Bluelink for remote start, Google location search and monthly health reports make this vehicle easy to maintain and get to where you want to go. It even has Android Auto and Apple Car Play for the ultimate in getting text and replying to text messages using your voice. Bought it for my wife and she absolutely loves it.

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  LOVE GROWN COLD - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Linda L. Evans - January 17 - 6:41 pm

  Oh the tears I have shed. I have owned two of these vehicles. One was 3.4 v6 and the one I have now is 2.7 v6. I truly loved this car enough to purchase my second one. I didnt drive my first one but for 30,000 miles. It had 67,000 miles on it when I traded it in. I have been very happy with the vehicle and would have purchased a third one had I not lost my career employment. I drove over 1,000 miles per week so went through 100,000 mile warranty in two years or so. It has been a mechanically sound vehicle until the latter years. I have experienced power steering going out, while driving in the rain, and no one can find why it does that. Now I cant use the hand operated door open and lock because it triggers something to do with the parking lights or signal lights not sure which, coming on and wont go off. I can hear a ticking sound like the signal lights. When this happens and I do not realize it the car is dead the next morning and I have to jump it. Plus the automatic lock feature is not a good idea. The seats are not that good. They were hard when I bought the car new and they are hard now 11 years later. Now the paint is peeling off on the hood and the clear coat is coming off in other places causing the paint to peel. On the hood the paint was peeled by a hard rain, not hail, but rain. It peeled on the hood on each side and in the same place on each side. Strange to say the least. The clear coat had not come off on the hood but paint still peeled. I have persuaded a few friends to purchase this car because of its performance which I can say is the best on the highway. But now that they have seen how my paint has done they are reconsidering. This was to be my last car because now I am old and unemployed and cant purchase another car. I was so proud of the one I have now because I took care of it. It still looked in appearance nice enough, but now is an atrocity from the paint peeling. I could cry a lot over this. Now the vehicle I once loved has turned cold like the car. T

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  Decent Crossover but lots of issues so far - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By davnator - January 13 - 5:14 am

  I have owned the 2009 GLS for 2 years now so I have a good history of issues and values for the car. The good is that it offers a lot for the price of the vehicle. Three of the four main issues with it have been covered under warranty. The ride for the GLS model is exceptionally smooth and handles city bumps without issue. I live in the north and it handles snow and drifts without issue (but is not good on ice). Issue one, the ignition system failed and the ignition in the steering column had to be replaced. Issue two, a sensor that acccelerates the car when you step on the gas failed. Issue three, the link stabilizer failed. Issue four, rust on the back hatch - Hyundai wont fix it

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  Great Vehicle!!! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Shaun - January 12 - 6:56 am

  Great car. Never thought Id ever own a Hyundai but they have come a long way.

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  Greatest Christmas Present - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Crcow - January 11 - 2:00 am

  The power and ride of the Santa Fe GLS with the larger 3.5L engine is fantastic. There is no hesitation at all. I averaged about 20 mpg on my first tank with a combination of city & highway driving. This is slightly better than I had expected for such a large engine.

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  Excellent SUV - 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dutch - January 8 - 9:46 pm

  The impression from the inside is that of a larger vehicle, but the 09 Santa Fe handles extremely well, even in poor driving conditions. Plowed through 18+ inches of snow w/out a problem. Outside appearance resembles higher end SUVs, so it doesnt feel cheap. You end up getting a quality vehicle that looks expensive and drives equally as well for less $$$ than the competition. Best vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Couldnt Be Happier - 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Anthony Vincent - January 6 - 6:30 am

  I shopped them all. Price, within reason, was not an issue. I really like this SUV a lot. It rides well, its quick for a heavy vehicle, it has every feature out there that I wanted, and it seems bulletproof so far. In mixed driving I got 24.4 MPG in the first thousand miles. Love the way it looks, the huge sunroof, the power lift gate, the sliding driver seat, the onboard computer control, the solid feel when driving ... Just everything about this vehicle is excellent.