Hyundai Sante Fe

Approval Rate: 82%

82%Approval ratio

Reviews 22

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  • by

    santefelove

    Sat Jan 27 2007

    I've owned Hyundai vehicles since 2000. My first was the Tiburon-traded it in on Sante Fe just because of my desire for frequent mountain trips. WOW!! I have not had ANY issues with either car. My Santa Fe is a 2002 , 79,000 miles-seriously, only oil changes . Instead of trading again, I'm keeping a good thing and upgrading/replacing parts at this time so I can continue this outstanding relationship.. Sold on Hyundai !!!

  • by

    hyundaisucks

    Fri Jun 30 2006

    Good to deal with until your warranty expires...I bought a lemon and as soon as the warranty expired I was totally on my own...Lost the altenator during the first year...Lost it again 8 months later...Power window motor replaced(2 months after warranty expired)...A/C unit failed(3 months after warranty expired)...Radiator fan Motor seized(3 months after warranty expired) The last three failures cost me $1500. This is far too much to spend on a four year old vehilce that was very well cared for...This vehicle is not worth the money...

  • by

    blueeyz911

    Tue Jan 24 2006

    I bought my Santa Fe brand new in 2004. Right now it has 39,000 miles on it and I have not had ONE single problem with it. I drove it across the country and back last year with no problems. It is a great car, reliable, comfortable, and I LOVE the way it looks too. I have the moonlit blue color and it is a gorgeous deep shade of blue. This is the most reliable car I have ever owned and I have owned several including Ford, Dodge, Buick, Geo, Acura, Jeep and Nissan. This is my second Hyundai, the first was a 2000 Accent. Which was a great car too. I traded it in for my Santa Fe at 65,000 miles and it never caused me ONE problem either. I highly recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe and I see so many of them on the road that obviously other people recommnend them too. This is a great vehicle for those not wanting to spend a small fortune on an automobile. It is reliable, good on gas and is fun to drive.

  • by

    deloreanman14

    Fri Oct 28 2005

    Whoever says that Hyundai is a piece of crap and is worse than Toyota or Honda, blow it out your ass. My Hyundai at 17,000 miles has been in the shop less than my dad's Acura (read: Honda) TL with 18,000 miles. All I do is put gasoline in the thing and change the oil. We looked at the CR-V and the RAV4 and don't even bother trying to load cargo in the back or real people in the back seat of those cars. RAT4 and CR-V (crappy recreational vehicle) can't match this wonderful vehicle. And last I checked, the Santa Fe's 9.4 second to sixty time beats the hell out of the 10.5 seconds of the RAV4. You can kiss my Hyundai's tailgate!

  • by

    avalonman96

    Sun Aug 14 2005

    Hyundai is a cheap piece of crap that will never come to the quality of Honda, Toyota or even Nissan. Hyundai's are built to a price, and since they're cheap, the material quality is quite low, as is the build quality. The V6 doesn't even have as much power as the 4-cylinders of Toyota and Honda, especially when hooked to a manual. Plus add in the fact the Santa Fe is ugly, and you have an all-around loser. Sure it has a good warranty but, unlike with the Japanese, you'll actually have to use it. A lot.

  • by

    ashman

    Fri Mar 04 2005

    We've owned a 2003 LX since September of 2003. We opted for the 2.7 V6 since I owned a Tiburon with same and at 55K had no problems. We had only one issue, that being the check valve on the fuell filler tube going bad soon after we bought the truck. Other than that, for 28K miles it's been trouble free. I don't know where people get the idea that this vehicle with the 2.7 liter doesn't have enough power. It's not a race car but the only time it doesn't accelerate decently is when you start out on an incline and that's due to the tranny not kicking down enough. My wife loves her Santy and we've taken dozens of trips in it and loaded it down with kids, dogs and luggage to the roof and on it as well and have had a blast with it. MPG is usually 22, but drops to 18-19 on the above trips when she's loaded down. I highly recommend this SUV to anyone who isn't worried about impressing the neighbors. It's a bargain and it's fun to drive, too.

  • by

    karatemom

    Wed Sep 08 2004

    I bought my '03 Santa Fe fully loaded except 4WD. I love the car, but it has a lot of rattles and creaks. After going to the dealer time after time, I finally met with the District Warranty Manager (whoopie) I told him that my car only had 10K miles and sounds like it is 10 years old. He had the nerve to tell me that We don't guarantee it not to make noise. I told him he was full of crap and he could stick it where the sun don't shine. Anyways, long story short, no mechanical problems at all. Simply Noisy.

  • by

    zeckfc89

    Mon Sep 06 2004

    I don't waste everyone's time giving poor reviews to products I've never used. Carfreak says, I have not driven this or ridden in it, so I don't know what it is like but I'm a total jerk so I'll give it the lowest rating. I've had my LX since W's first election day and it's been an exceptional vehicle, fully loaded for $23,500. I wish I'd have waited for the moonroof, climate controls and CD/cassette and paid the extra grand or two, but to see this XUV (the ORIGINAL cross-over SUV) rated below the hollow-shell, roll-over prone Saturn VUE...you people are still reliving the early days of Hyundai. Fine with me, I guess. Keep Hyundai's prices down long enough for them to introduce a Tiburon convertible to the US market!!!

  • by

    keith3111

    Mon Jul 21 2003

    I love mine!!

  • by

    carfreak88

    Sat Jul 19 2003

    I have not driven this or riden in it, so I don't know what it is like, but my dad has a bodyshop and had a Santa Fe in there twice, both times it was rear ended. When it came in the second time, the back floor was at close to a 30 degree angle and the insurance company would not pay to fix it because so much had to be done to fix it, so to say the least the guy is now driving aroud with a floor that is not flat.

  • by

    bigbaby

    Mon Jun 30 2003

    Hot Stuff is 100% correct. This box is junk on wheels. Until Hyundai makes something that lasts over 2 years, go for the CRV, Rav4 or the Escape.

  • by

    thornyrose

    Wed Jun 11 2003

    bought a SF - July 2002, 6 trips so far for the fuel gauge problem, brakes slip/fail, calendar has been replaced - still doesn't keep the right date, back door will not open at times, but dealer can't recreate problem, must be in my head. Service dept hates me - I hate them - this car is a real lemon - I realy like the car, but the one I have must have been made after they announced no Thanksgiving turkeys....Save your money and your time.

  • by

    sunapeebomber

    Mon May 19 2003

    This car/SUV bought on price and all wheel drive capability. Horrible piece of automotive technology. 2001 model year with 90,000 miles. Warranty has replaced; 1 Blown Radiator, 4 sets of wheel bearings F&R, Rear Differential, Ingintion Coil, Plugs, Wires, Distributor, Front Shocks/Struts, Rotors and Pads all around, rear wiper motor, Timing Belt, rear door handle sticks constantly. I must say warranty is good and most parts replaced free but it spends a great deal of time in the shop. Don't buy one. SunapeeBomber

  • by

    sluigij

    Mon Feb 10 2003

    I love my Santa Fe! I wanted a small SUV and didn't want to spend a lot. I test drove a bunch of vehicles and was very impressed with the Santa Fe. After comparing features, cargo space, comfort, ride, and price, the Santa Fe was the clear choice. After owning it for 7 months I am very satisfied. The car arrived with no defects and I haven't had a stitch of trouble. It's got a strong V6 and it handles well for an SUV. The interior has all the bells and whistles, although the radio is a bit weak (the antenna is in a rear side window and should have been placed in a better spot). The seats are comfortable and there's plenty of legroom and headroom (I'm 6 ft & 200 lbs.). Great cargo area. Amazed at what I've gotten in there. By the way, I was a little concerned about reliability and longevity, but this SUV is made well and it comes with a terrific warranty.

  • by

    herbie

    Tue Oct 29 2002

    I recently bought one of these great SUVs. It looks great, drives better and gives you great value.

  • by

    jenjen1127

    Tue Jul 30 2002

    I own the Sante Fe for two months and love it. Great handling and enough power for me. Excellent purchase.

  • by

    texas_santafe

    Wed Dec 26 2001

    I had my SaFe since Labor Day Weekend. I had one small problem w/the belt. It was replaced. I really love it. So what if it is not the fastest vehicle to 60 MPH. The ride is great and is quiet. I almost went to sleep while driving the SaFe to Brownsville, TX because the ride was so smooth. Texas Santa Fe who lives by the shores of Lake Grapevine

  • by

    ken821

    Mon Sep 10 2001

    I drove 2WD LX and was impressed, handled well and was quite comfortable. Highway Safety 40MPH crash test winner, 5 year 50,000 miles waranty, good looks, good price makes this a winner!! Was not as happy with the 4WD, a bit slugglish for me. Drove a Toyota RAV4 and was unimpressed. Looks like a box with wheels!!

  • by

    bonz571

    Sun Aug 19 2001

    Have owned a Sante Fe for a couple of weeks, LOVE IT. Nice ride, roomy, gutsy. Test drove a "LOADED" Escape, wasn't nearly as Homey feeling. Sorry Ford! but your salespeople weren't nearly as pleasant to deal with either.

  • by

    cazman

    Mon Jul 23 2001

    it has a good ride and it at a good price thanks hyundai u are comming on strong keep up the good work.

  • by

    lnyhopland

    Sat Mar 10 2001

    I test drove this vehicle and really enjoyed it. It handled really well on the turns. I didn't feel it at all in the turning. The Sante Fe GXL has great power when you are on the highway. We are really thinking this would be a really nice vehicle to have. Thanks

  • by

    bob29313

    Fri Dec 22 2000

    Scarey! I thought Japan wanted to take over the US vehicle market - well I hope the Jap's are looking over their shoulder cause here come the Korean's big time. How do you say Dumping in Korean? Of course the UAW Korean local doesn't mind cause it keep's their members making $5.00 a week. Great vehicle for the money. Sort of like an Escape on steroids with the bulging fender and such. Go Hyundai beat Toyota at the cloaning game. Geez I wonder what Hundiii will call their Luxury Division? Can hardly wait to see the Luxury Sante Fe (Las Vegas QX40). Isn't FREEDOM wonderful!!