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 21 through 30 of 251.00-
Thank Goodess for the Warranty - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Pupusa - December 31 - 10:00 amProblems with paint, had to have the car painted 3 times. Electrical peoblems with the interior lights and radio. Took it in for 2 recalls which one of the recalls I was never notified of. Very disappointed with the purshase of this SUV. I wish I would of gotten a more promosing and reliable SUV such as Toyota.
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LOTS OF RESEARCH - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By OATMAN - November 24 - 10:00 amI LOVE THE UP-HIGH RIDE, I LOVE THE BODY STYLE, I LOVE THE WARRANTY, I LOVE ALL THE FEATURES, AND THE GREAT PRICE, THE RIDE IS JUST AS SMOOTH AS THE SONATA,WHICH WAS MY LAST CAR ("1999"),AND KNOWING IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG OR BREAKS DOWN, TAKE IT RIGHT TO THE SERVICE DEPT, GREAT SERVICE AND NO CHARGE
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Traded - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Rscu - November 6 - 2:00 amI owned a 2002 Santa Fe LX for 9 months. After turning 10,000 miles, the engine started to sound like a diesel engine at idle. The service department and regional representative said it was normal engine noise. It was either the lifters or rods.....It also has an under-powered alternator; the lights fade after a stop, and the transmission indicator blinks with the turn signals. That was normal, also. I was afraid of engine durability. The engine is very unresponsive.
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Good Truck - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Adman - November 4 - 5:40 pmPurchased used @ 96k. Towing capacity is awful. Can pull a 13ft Boler travel trailer. Had continuous problem with rear brakes overheating. New calipers fixed it. Transmission cooler and power steering lines both rusted through @ 220k. Replaced tires 190k, Tie rods 215k, timing belt 190k, alternator 150k, crank sensor 120k. Malfunctions of rear wiper, drivers seat belt latch, passenger power lock, screws in driver window shook lose and window fell out. Currently it needs new shocks, and the diff. seal leaks. Other than that it still has lots of life, looks great and has 251,000k on it. Id have to say after 250k thats not to bad. However, Id like my old Safari van back. Less $ loss.
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Nice car way to many problems - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By bk79 - October 25 - 4:59 pmMy first car. Wish it had more power and zip. Live the way it handles. Love the way it looks. When it is actually working I love the car but at 100k miles it all went down hill had to replace power steering pump, fuel injectors both front axles and both front abs speed sensors, rest carrier bearing, the transfer case and the transmission. Between the fuel injectors and the transfer case and transmission all going out with in the last year and a half it was a between $6,000 and $7,000 and the ac broke twice. Would not but another one or recommend the first generation Santa Fe to anyone who doesnt have deep pockets to keep it on the road. All that being said I am sad that I have to get rid of
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Happy for now - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By aquaman105 - October 18 - 2:00 amThis truck is worth the money. The dealers will not come down on the price, but where can you get all this for so little anyway.
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Surprisingly happy - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By russ - May 26 - 10:00 amIf you had told me three months ago that Id buy a Hyundai, Id have told you that you were nuts! After researching reviews and pricing I got my wife one and it (so far) has been a very pleasant surprise. We got all the goodies on it for a very fair price and the warranty cant be beat. Ive gotten compliments on it from cowboys to Grannies. Were getting about 21.5 mpg which is what we thought wed get city/highway.
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2002 SantaFe review - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By jinhan - May 19 - 2:00 amWheel Alignment issue at initial purchase and some vibration noise after 5000 miles. Besides those issues, its fun to drive
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Hyundai review - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By sriram - December 14 - 2:00 amI have driven this vehicle for more than a year now and it is amzing that hyundai delivers all this performance at this very reasonable cost.
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Love this vehicle! - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
By Tim Cassidy - October 13 - 2:00 amBought this car for my oldest sun to replace a 1999 Ford Escort. Wanted him to have something roomier and more substantial to take to college. As a freshman he couldnt bring it to school yet so weve been driving it. Everyone fights to drive this vehicle, even my wife who has a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country LXi. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone! Im thinking of buying a 2003 LX to replace my 1998 Volvo S70 T5.
