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:

• 

  Lots of miles = lots of repairs - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Wiser Next TIme - October 17 - 10:00 am

  My Hyundai was great .. for the first 60K miles or so. After that, replaced the fuel injector (twice), spark plugs (twice), and wheel bearings (in 3 wheels - twice in the left front wheel.) I now have 88K miles and it is in the shop for the 3rd time in 3 months. Theyre just not made for high mileage. Whats worse is that the dealership does not stock a lot of parts, so many times they keep the truck for several days. Also, watch out for the warranty. The front wheel bearings are covered, but the back ones arent. In the DC area, its a $400 repair. Also, had 6sensors go out. None were covered by the warranty (after the bumper-to-bumper ends).

• 

  Decent car but... - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Chris - October 17 - 6:00 am

  I am the original owner, purchasing the vehicle (rated 18mpg City/22 Hwy) with 56 miles on the odometer. Ive never gotten more than 15mpg with it and usually around 12mpg is more accurate. Ive taken it into the dealer where I bought it several times only to be told theres nothing wrong with it. Several bulbs burned out the first year. All in all its been a decent car albeit it way underpowered. It took winter/snowy driving in Quebec, CA without a hitch but even with new tires, in the rain it feels uneasy. I cant say Id buy another Santa Fe but Hyundai does a good job for the money.

• 

  Out of round tires - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Nighthawk50 - September 12 - 3:36 am

  Upon delivery in Sept 2008, my 2008 Sante Fe had a very obvious shimmy on the highway. After failed attempts to remedy the defect by the dealer, I was sent to a Nissan sister dealer, where they determined that the Bridgestone tires were out of round. The selling dealer then exchanged all tires with tires from another new Sante Fe and the problem was solved after much time wasted by me. In my judgment, the car should not have been delivered to me with a shimmy which was noticeable. Dont they test drive cars before delivery to the customer? I cannot address an unresolved rattle here due to restricted space for this comment. Will submit another review for that.

• 

  Transmission Design Error - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By TraniLeak - August 24 - 10:00 am

  When my husband decided to purchase this vehicle I was a little scepticle. We have had nothing but transmission leaking from this new car. As soon as I saw it I took it to the dealer and they stated there was no leak. So the very next day, the leak appeared and it got worse and worse. So now we are back at the dealership for the third time. I found out from reliable sources that there is a design flaw but I know no one is going to fess up to a flaw. I am very disappointed. Signed, Still Leaking with pictures and all.

• 

  STAY AWAY! - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Harkins - July 2 - 10:33 pm

  My first "new" car & I have had nothing but issues. I bought it used with 15k. I have had it less than 3 years now & have had to replace the tires 4 times & have to get an alignment every 4 months...I only do hwy driving! My catalytic converters just went out at $1300 a piece & I only have 60k on the car....thank god for the federal law that is making them replace it. I always have issues with the sensors, car doesnt start in the cold & nuts & bolts seem to always fall off of it. I am on my way to pick up my car from the shop (97 miles away) & am going to trade it in on something that is NOT a HYUNDAI!

• 

  problems - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By rockyfour - April 28 - 2:00 am

  i bought the suv in nov and when i bought it the rear winshield wouldnt stop working it was moving but wiper was off, ive been to the dealer numerous times but they cant fix it, so now i bought a 27,000 vehical,that i cant even use a winshield wiper, and to top it off both of the front winshield wipers and broke , the passenger side when it was snowing and the driver side when it was raining. (not fun driving home in the rian with no winshield wipers)

• 

  Definitely NOT worth $30,000 - 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Stacy V - February 4 - 9:16 pm

  I chose my brand new Santa Fe over a used Lexis with 15K miles. WORST mistake ever. Just a months after owning it I had to have the carpet replaced twice and bumper repainted because paint was peeling off. Now after 20K miles the dash is peeling and the leather seats have rubbed down to nothing leaving a rip in the driver seat. Im 54", weigh 120lbs but they say its not covered under warranty because Im not entering my car the right way. The latches on the third row seat broke and had to be replaced. Im scared what the value is going to be if I decide not to keep it.

• 

  Problems with Blower Control Knob - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Chris K - January 21 - 7:30 pm

  I actually like my 2004 Santa Fe which I purchased new back in May of 2004. I have a problem that I cannot resolve. Each year I have a problem with my blower control knob. The blower starts to run only on one level and eventually stops altogether. It has cost me several hundred dollars each time I have had this fixed only to be back in the same situation the next year. Right now I have been only able to use my heat or A/C on high because it wont work on any other level. Thanks, TOO HOT OR TOO COLD

• 

  Noisy and in shop way too often - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By D Sayre - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car after a two hour test drive. Within a week I knew I had made a mistake. This vehicle has such terrible road noise. When it rains no one in the back can hear a word you are saying in the front. My Hyundai has also been in the shop at least 8 times over the past two years for different belts, ignition system problems, and wiring harness defects. My husband has a Hyundai as well and it is in the shop way more often than any other new car we have ever owned. I will never buy another Hyundai as long as I can drive.

• 

  Defective transmissions and poor ride - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By dbqfan - October 5 - 2:37 pm

  I have had the transmission replaced twice in my 2010 Santa Fe. The new transmission has the same problems and Hyundai will not fix it. They have to "replicate" the problem which is there way of not fixing it. I have never had a car with this many problems in 50 years of buying cars. The dealer is just as bad as Hyundai. The vehicle has many squeaks and rattles which shows poor build quality. The GPS unit is useless in cold weather as you can not see the screen. This is the last non American car I will buy. Poor quality as the floor carpet is just cardboard covered with a poor quality fuzzy material.