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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  Best Keep Secert - 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Timberwolf - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Best SUV you can get for the money. Im an ex Honda owner and believe me, the Koreans have caught the Japanese.

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  Power and Transmission - 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Smokeyridgerunner - December 22 - 10:00 am

  First it was not the engine I was told I had, it has a 173 hp. The lights dim when I turn the AC on. Whe making a turn the automatic transmission does not shift down to the next lower and when I press the gas it drives really slow until I make up the speed to shift to a higher gear. Sometimes it just jumps into passing gear and you would almost run into the car in front of you. If anyone is having these problems let me know because Hyundai said the auto is ok.

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  WOW! - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Completely Satisfied - December 20 - 8:53 pm

  This is the sixth vehicle that I own...and the best deal I have ever gotten! Great ride, lots of pros, and hardly any cons. I dont mind that there is not a lot of rebate, because the quality is there!

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  Very Good with One Stinking Flaw - 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By 702south - December 20 - 1:40 pm

  A very good dependable vehicle with a couple issues. The ride is nice. Handling is very good. The 3.5 V6 has plenty of power and speed. Fuel mileage is good too. It doesnt feel or look cheap. I have been in comparable Lexus and it is just as nice. Why pay double the price just to drive a Lexus?? It is comfortable except it needs a little more leg room in the drivers area. I feel too close to the pedals. Other cons may be freeway noise at high speeds. The one major flaw is the odor from the A/C that many owners seem to have. Hyundai needs to step up and fix this.

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  "CUTE" SUV - 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By sweetpe - December 20 - 7:45 am

  The Santa Fe is a "cute" SUV, especially in Red, but its not very comfortable when it comes to seating. The front seats are hard, the seat itself is too short and the power seat is very hard to adjust to a comfortable position. Actually the passenger seat is more comfortable than the drivers seat. The ride is way too stiff. When the back seat is flipped in the down position it does not lay flat making it hard to haul flat items or even packages. They keep sliding toward the back of the vehicle.

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  Favorite vehicle to date - 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bristol6 - December 19 - 8:43 pm

  2005 Santa Fe LX AWD. The first car i ever owned was a Hyundai. Since then i owned a BMW, a Dodge, a Mazda, and a Chevy, and I have returned again to Hyundai. My Santa Fe is reliable, capable, comfortable, and relatively easy to maintain. They are fairly common vehicles so parts arent hard to find. Plenty of space inside, and enough room in the cargo space to stow whatever you want. Folding the back seats down is easy and quick. I put some Toyo All-Terrain tires on mine, and i am comfortable driving it across fields, through mud, snow, ice, and sand. If youre looking for a reliable fun midsize SUV that you can take anywhere, this is your ticket.

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  Lots of Extras however, they are cheap - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By carlweber - December 15 - 5:30 pm

  At 101K miles I had the following problems: The ignition failed on the care at 70k I had that replaced. The radio failed. The left side window had to be replaced. My keyless entry paid rusted out. They said it fell in the water. Other then that it has been normal stuff.

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  engine knock and random codes - 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By bigal78 - December 14 - 1:52 am

  Bought 2013 in January 2014. One week later heard knocking in the engine, took it to dealer was told that the GDI engines make this noise, normal. 2 weeks later took it back as knocking is not normal and there has been numerous reported engine failures with same noise, vehicle throws random emission codes which there is a tsb for but not all dealers know this so I have to put up with a defective SF. I loved it at first but that ended within 3 weeks. I think the 6 cylinders are more reliable than the 4s.

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  Great Ride - 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Kathleen Mullikin - December 11 - 4:50 am

  My husband drove a 2004 Santa Fe and I drove a 2003 Santa Fe. We have enjoyed the comfort and dependability of both our vehicles. I just got my new 2007 Santa Fe as a birthday gift -- WOW! It truly is a luxury ride. Several people have asked my what type car it is at the gas station. I would put it up against any of those higher priced luxury rides any day.

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  I love my Sante Fe - 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
  By Gloria - December 10 - 12:20 pm

  My father suggested this vehicle to me as I was looking for something a little bigger to own (Hes even a Chevy/GMC guy). My sister had a Hyundai and liked it. I thought it was too big, but I use every inch of it! I average 20-22 mpg combined city/highway driving. I just replaced the original battery. It protected me well in an icy road front end collision. Hope to see 100,000 miles soon. Only annoyance is half of lights on gear shift are burned out. Oh well.