Overview & Reviews

Entering its second year of production, the Santa Fe gets four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment as well as an optional upgraded stereo system. In May 2002, Hyundai responds to customer requests and makes a power sunroof optional for GLS and LX models. Besides that, all models benefit from midyear interior upgrades, among these larger air conditioning vents; a center stack-mounted clock; illumination for the power window buttons and glovebox; chrome accents; ISOFIX child-seat anchors for the outboard rear seating positions and an improved rear-seat recliner and folding mechanism. In September 2002, Hyundai announced that it had misstated the horsepower ratings for all of the models in its lineup -- the Santa Fe's 2.4-liter four-cylinder is now rated for 138 hp and its V6 is now at 173 hp. To compensate, the company is offering Hyundai owners (of 2000 models and newer) three options: 10 years of roadside assistance, 6-year/72,000-mile basic warranty coverage or 12-year/120,000-mile powertrain coverage.

• Relatively inexpensive price, super warranty, roomy interior.

• Unimpressive four-wheeling capability, underwhelming powertrain performance.

User Reviews:

Showing 201 through 210 of 251.00

• 

  ALREADY BITTEN - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By texanboy - May 22 - 2:00 am

  At about 1500 miles on the car, it broke down.Dealer replaced IDLE PULLEY. At 3000 miles, broke down again. IDLE PULLEY again. Whats up with that? Running good after that. Now at about 4000 miles.

• 

  Worth Driving - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By BCAVY - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Do not give up on trying to get at dealer invoice everyone. I actually paid $400 below dealer invoice and also had a wonderful experience at my dealership. I researched over 6 months on my next vehicle and also drove over 30 different SUVs "I love cars" and be far the Hyundai at this price range was the best! The only other driving SUV that I liked was the Trailblazer. Good look with your efforts and remember that it is worth the drive to go test drive a Sante Fe

• 

  Better than Honda - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Flyboy - May 13 - 4:40 am

  I have 4,000 miles in this vehicle. Better ride than Jeep Liberty. More comfortable and reliable than the Mazda/Ford. Quality is high in this vehicle...no problems to date. This is Honda quality under a competing name. I am high income earner concerned with reliability. Honda and Toyota do not offer same comfort, V6, roominess for $. Hyundai will be big brand name in 3 years.

• 

  100,000 miles without a single problem - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By fonixkween - April 6 - 9:36 pm

  I commute over a mountain and have had to successfully navigate through black ice, snow, steep terrain, suicidal deer, and drunken drivers. My Santa Fe just hit 100,000 miles and I have had ZERO problems. My factory tires lasted 60,000 miles (my friend who drives a European car over the same roads had to get new tires at 30,000 miles). My car has started, dependably, each and every time. It has the power to tackle steep roads (and with the Shiftronic Transmission) it is hell-a-fun to drive. I once raced another friend (who drove a Miata) over the mountain, and my Santa Fe handled the curves better than her little car. Great Car!!! Comfy cloth seats!! Im so glad I own it.

• 

  Passed the crash test - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Speed_Demon - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Encountered "black ice" at 70+ MPH left road did a barrel roll hit a pole. Got out without a scratch. Center pillars and seatbelts saved my life without a doubt. Would buy another in a heartbeat. 69,500 miles in two years without a problem.

• 

  Grateful We Shopped Around - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By piniquim - February 16 - 10:00 am

  We thought the RAV4 was too expensive for what you got. Base price was OK, but very limited standard equipment. Everything was an option and before you knew it you were in the $23-25,000 range totally outfitted. We looked at the total market small SUVs (KIA, Ford Escort, Jeep Liberty, Chevy Tracker, Nissan CRV, Mazda Tribute, etc.) and the only runner-up to the Sante Fe we found was the Mazda Tribute. I am glad we did an extensive comparision because price-wise the Sante Fe offers more options for less money.

• 

  warranty does not matter - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By margot - January 30 - 1:00 pm

  I purchased a Hyundai because of the warranty. However, everything major that could go wrong with the car did (transmission, power steering, axle) and continued after the bumper to bumper warranty expired. Most of the Hyundai dealers closed, so you have to drive 15 miles to service a vehicle under warranty. Not a good sign. Also, the dealer I serviced it at, L.A. City Hyundai, would not cooperate with the manufacturer when warranty issues arose. I would never buy a Hyundai, regardless of the price or how long the warranty is. The aggravation of breaking down and having to pay for a rental car and waiting days for a part is not worth any warranty. I need a car that is reliable.

• 

  great value - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By john pinta - January 29 - 10:00 am

  as a BMW salesman for many years I wanted a good deal for my hard earned money, this Santa Fe delivered above my wildest dreams. A great value.

• 

  Her name was Sandy - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Bill K - December 29 - 5:03 am

  We owned our Santa Fe for 6yrs. Bought in 2010 for $6000. Had 104,000 miles on it. Sold it May 2016 for $4000, and had 140,000 on it. The only things we replaced on it were the brakes, tires, and ignition switch. Loved plowing through the Wisconsin winters. She was getting a little sluggish before we sold it, but was one of the best vehicles we ever owned. Back in 2013 we bought a 2007 Santa Fe and sold it a year later. We thought it would be like our 02 but couldnt hold a candle to it. Recently purchased a 2012 Chevy Captiva. Hope we have the same luck as we did with Sandy.

• 

  Love the car, but not customer service - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By luvmysanta - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I love my car! For a great value, I got tons of stuff! People walk up to me in parking lots, and ask about it! Unfortunately, the customer service Ive encountered has bean really, really, REALLY bad! Theyve made it clear early on in my ownership, that if something does go wrong, they will not honor the warranty, or make any attempts to help the customer. I had a small concern, that I brought to their attention, and they just tried to sell me another car (requiring several thousand in cash), rather than fix the problem. Ive been trying to get the problem corrected since November of 2001, with no luck (its now April of 2003).