2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Consumer Reviews

Still breaking it in

Written by: Austin on 12/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

So far I have not experienced any of the transmission issues that others are talking about. I have nothing but good things to say about this vehicle. I have custom 2 tone leather seats in it and they are fantastic. Have no issues with any of the instruments or controls. I'm averaging about 16.8 mpg (only 400 miles on the vehicle and nothing but city driving, no hwy miles really). The torque and hp is a LITTLE low but all that does is teach me to accelerate without a sense of being in a race all the time. That saves gas anyway so I think it's fine. At speed I have no problem getting in and out of traffic. By the way my previous vehicle was a VW Jetta VR6 and this gets better mpg.

Favorite Features

Blue instrument cluster, tons of room for cargo, this vehicle is not overdone. I didn't want to drive a Mercedes and this vehicle doesn't stick good looking JUNK into the interior to make you feel like you have more than you bought. They did it just right.

Suggested Improvements

A little better on MPG, torque and hp could stand to be a little stronger on the small V6. Other than that I'm really impressed.

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Hated It

Written by: elawhy on 12/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV AWD (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Traded a 2005 4WD Santa Fe which I loved. The minute I drove this car off the lot, I could not stand the ride. Overly felt every road bump. The entire driving experience was nerve wracking. Felt a vibration through my hands on the steering wheel, my foot and up my leg from the gas pedal and in my seat. Drive 20 miles to work and arrived so nerved up because of this. Dealership maintains this is normal. Traded it after 4 days for a 2009 Sonata. Too Bad !!!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Best in its class Great Value for money

Written by: Suresh A on 12/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I was driving a Hyundai Tucson, I drove it for 3 yrs and around 50000 miles I did not face a single problem, I was happy with it. I trade in my Tucson and went for Santa Fe for a bigger vehicle. I was surprised to see the features and MPG for such a big vehicle. I test drove Toyota Highlander, Toyota RAV4 but the drive in Santa Fe is awesome and a great product for great price. I got around 26 MPG on highway with 70 MPH and around 18-19 in the city. My car is limited with GPS and 3rd row seating. Dealer gave me a very good price of 25250 what else you need. Very calm cabin, excellent control on the road with excellent safety features it took my heart. I am so happy with my purchase.

Favorite Features

Excellent interior and Exterior design, Great MPG, Plenty of room, 7 seater, 7 channel Sound System

Suggested Improvements

So far I have not seen any.

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Nice vehicle

Written by: kriegerceniel on 12/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Typically drive in metro environment and have averaged 22 mpg so far. I like the look of the vehicle and the bang for the buck! The interior is well thought out and the kids love the reclining rear seats. I like the hidden storage and that the driver's seat can be raised or lowered. Recently found the stability control works well (driving on icy roads) and that is something I couldn't do easily before (in a truck). Very happy with this Santa Fe and look forward to continued satisfaction.

Favorite Features

Smooth V6, excellent stability, interior and lighting, price.

Suggested Improvements

Always can have better mileage, seat belt retainers on the bucket seats.

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900 Mile First Impressions

Written by: ceprise on 12/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Well. I am certainly impressed! Superb fit, finish and dealer prep. I bought with input using my friend's satisfied experience with his 2005 Santa Fe. After riding in my 2008, he complimented the leather interior, greater interior space, the cool blue instruments and knock-out sound system. My last ride was a beloved 1996 Mazda MPV AWD with 178,000 miles. But blue smoke and electrical gremlins in wet weather required a change. I extensively researched the specs on Edmunds.com of similar vehicles. I wanted a boost in gas mileage over the 15 MPG of my Mazda, with better interior dimensions and comforts. The 2008 Santa Fe was the same dimensions, but better 1st and 2nd row seating and +5 MPG.

Favorite Features

Superb build quality. 5 passenger seating with TWO storage bins for what my wife calls my junk (jump cables, triangles, small tools, flux capacitor). Not broken-in, but averaging 19-20 in mixed NNJ commuting. XM radio and 7.1 sound system. NO DVD or Nav system. Cool blue lights and heated seats.

Suggested Improvements

The 2008 Santa Fe is a compromise. 3.3L engine gets a real 19-20MPG instead of a larger CUV with 3.7-3.9L that gets 14-15 MPV. But 500lbs lower wt so that 240HP chirps the wheels. Better 1st and 2nd row seating than RX350. OH! More Cup holder+under console storage for handbag+under pass.seat bin.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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A lot of SUV for the money

Written by: TBPA on 12/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We drove several comparable vehicles in this category (Subaru Forester, Nissan Murano, Subaru Tribeca, Mazda CX-7, Chrysler Pacifica) and for the money the Santa Fe has them all beat, hands down. The features and options list would have cost thousands more in the other models. Driving off of the lot during the test drive, I felt as if this vehicle was in a completely different league compared to the others we had driven. FAVORITE FEATURES (too many to fit below) The interior materials, fit and finish are absolutely top notch. The Navigation option, while sometimes not the greatest at getting you where you need to go the fastest, definitely works well and intuitively.

Favorite Features

(cont) The 11 speaker Infinity sound system is phenomenal at mid to high volumes, though a little thin when lower. Auto HVAC system rocks, w/ third row vents. Reclining rear seats. Plenty of horsepower. Exterior looks can hold own when parked next to Acura, Lexus. Third row OK for short stints.

Suggested Improvements

Driver lower seat cushion too short, increase gas mileage currently 14-16 city/19-21 hwy, make front passenger seat power, ADD AUX jack for IPOD! Everything else is fantastic, great job Hyundai!!!

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Very Pleased

Written by: esd on 12/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

First SUV I've owned and have been pleased with it so far (now have 5,000 miles on it). The 3.3 provides plenty of power and the trans is very smooth shifting, unlike the Escape I test drove. The Santa Fe is a better value and nicely equipped.Anyone looking for a SUV should take a good at a Santa Fe before buying anything else. It is designed very well and very roomy.

Favorite Features

Comfort,options and also features a four wheel lock button, an option not found on most AWD vehicles. All the holders for different items.

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy, average 18-19 local and 22 on longer runs. Cup holders and arm rest a little farther forward would be nice. Electric defrost windshield would be awesome. (Does have windshield wiper de-icer and heated mirrors)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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First Impressions

Written by: Richard on 11/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We purchased a new 2008 Santa Fe LTD AWD. The average MPG after 250 miles is 19.5 with a mix of city and freeway driving. I expect better MPG after the break in. The remote fuel door open switch did not work the first time we went to put gas in the tank. The dealer should have checked this before they delivered the car. We had to use the emergency fuel door pull cord behind the rear seat panel to open the fuel door. We noticed the seats are really uncomfortable after the first 100 miles. I hope they "soften up" over time. Except for the fuel door, everything else works on the vehicle. The CD, Radio and rear DVD sound great. The Santa Fe drives and handles well.

Favorite Features

AWD 6-Disk CD Player Rear Seat DVD 3rd Row Seating - OK for Kids Performance

Suggested Improvements

Improve the comfort of the seats

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Much better than expected

Written by: panophotog on 11/26/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Never thought I'd buy a Hyundai (after many Toyotas, Hondas and recently Subarus), but the 2008 Santa Fe Ltd. had all the features, mpg, comfort and room I was looking for. I'm getting 22 mpg average, and everything is rock solid after 3k miles. This car is *quiet* inside, and everything feels well thought out and well put together. The Ltd. has a great stereo, quality leather, all the options, and looks and feels like a Lexus EX. The CR-V and RAV4 are nice, but smaller and less comfortable - and they cut corners and it feels like it. The Santa Fe is less $, but nowhere does it feel cheap, and I continue to find things that make me say "hey, that's nice they thought of that."

Favorite Features

Quiet interior, smooth highway ride, Infinity stereo, beige leather w/ black carpet interior color scheme (wears well and looks luxe). Auto-everything, heated seats, and *huge* trunk and roomy rear seats.

Suggested Improvements

More sensitive auto-headlamps (it needs to be almost pitch dark to activate them), power-fold mirrors, power rear hatch (but I'm getting greedy now). Always better mpg!

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Pleased with this vehicle

Written by: postoak on 11/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

First, mileage. I get about 24 on my daily commute, 16 strictly city, on cruise-control: 25.5 at 75mph, and 33 (!) at 60mph. Acceleration is more than adequate. If you really punch it you get torque- steer, but it isn't necessary to punch it. It's been trouble-free the first year/21,000 miles. The automatic climate system is MUCH better than the one in my Mercedes and the temperature readout much more accurate than my Mercedes.

Favorite Features

Cool blue interior lighting. Storage areas under the cargo bed.

Suggested Improvements

None.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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