Overview & Reviews

For 2001, Hyundai comes to market with its very own sport-utility. The Santa Fe is based on a modified Sonata midsize car platform and is available with either front-wheel drive or full-time four-wheel drive with either a four-cylinder or V6 engine.

• Relatively inexpensive price, super warranty, roomy interior.

• Unproven reliability, unimpressive four-wheeling capability, underwhelming powertrain performance.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 82.00

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  Dealer wont support warranty - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Hyundaisucks - December 24 - 10:00 am

  After 600 milse the Alternator went out after the first trip on a dirt road. Dealer wont fix car saying the car was abused. Bewhare of dealships not honoring warrantry. A complaint to the Hundia was usless. Like car but cant trust dealers to honor warrantry.

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  Great cruising car! - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Raamos - December 20 - 12:01 pm

  Excellent car, I did my regular maintenance no major issues. to this day 15 years later runs great with 195,000 miles on it. Best car thus far in my lifetime. ... I am selling it now, because I no longer need a car since I now have my sons car. I really enjoyed driving the Santa Fe so far!

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  Overall a great car - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By paulsparrow - May 16 - 10:46 am

  After we drove ours off the lot we immediately had two problems. Paint was flecking off and our transmission went. The paint was redone on the trouble spots at no charge and we havent had issues since. The transmission was replaced only to be replaced again a few months later. Since then we have had no troubles. Outside of oil changes, the odd light etc this car has been for the most part great. Two issues we have had to date have been the speedometer has gone four times now, each not covered. The other is the one power window has gone twice now. No engine problems or other cosmetic problems. Overall a fantastic deal

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  Long time owner - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Long_time_owner - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle since 2001 and has over 165,000 miles! It wasnt been without its share of problems though. The first major repair was a new transmission at 20k. Lots of other problems too all covered under the warranty. Since the bumper to bumper warranty has been out, only a few minor repairs, so I cant complain too much. Factory put quality tires on, didnt get a new set till 100k! Its a very comfortable vehicle and has been on many, many road trips. I think it may be getting time for a new vehicle, Hyundai will probably be at the top of my list, I think theyve come a long way since 01, and the warranty and affordability cant be beat.

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  excellent value - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By suzannaski - March 8 - 2:00 am

  The warrany is excellent, theyve taken care of any problems (faulty sensor recall, corroded chrome handles, interior door panel) It is very reliable, and better in slippery weather than my husbands rwd/4wd truck. the downside is that there is a lot of highway noise, so if youre on the phone or listening to the radio, the volume needs to be turned way up.

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  rear end collison - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By alan hanby - December 7 - 2:00 am

  it took impact fairly poorly. bumper and tailgate as well as interior plastic buckled tremendosly. air bags failed to deploy rear end coll speed was 35-45 mph. all that said i am looking to buy another santa fe by the way the tank was verywell protected.

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  Not a high quality car for road in Boston - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ambi - January 7 - 5:13 am

  I had this car from 35K mile to 65K mile. It was OK when I drove it in Texas with the smooth high ways. But it has been giving me problems since I moved to Boston. I need to replace the battery, ball joint, rear suspension, master brake cylinder. The CD player always turn it self on/off when Im driving on a bumpy road, which seems to be everywhere in Boston. I plan to sell this car now after driving in Boston for one year.

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  Great Value - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By cfgroff - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I was first conserned about buying a Hyundai because of there reputation of being a poorly built auto. However my conserns are know none existent because my Sante Fe has ran beautifully for three straight years. I do alot of traveling on the weekends and I have always had room for all my luggage or whatever else I may carrying in the rear. I would encourage people to give Hyundia a try well at least the Sante Fe.

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  my santa fe - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By santa fe - May 17 - 5:06 pm

  I bought mine used in 2005, it was a 2001, it just needed a new catalytic converter... but after that, its perfect. I have 2 kids, I just LOVE it, its roomy, comfortable, it drives real nice and smooth, like a car just bigger and higher up! Im so glad I was able to get this car. I hope they stay around for a while so I can get a new one in a few years!

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  Not as good as it seems - 2001 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By ed - April 9 - 11:26 pm

  We bought this car about two years now, at the begun everything seem so be ok but problemas started.. alternator need to be change, two transmissions sensor were bad so all the transmission blew up, then the time chain, the radiator have a leak, the factory alarm fail, the ac compresor fail... everything fail in order all this in abour 2 months, i like the feel of the car but to me at least kia wil not be a brand to recomend i have own 4-5 GM cars and thay have had the same problems but maintance end reapairs are lot cheaper