The Santa Fe is a solid competitor to similar small SUVs, like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Saturn Vue. We like the Santa Fe, as it got top honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as a Top Safety Pick and is a well-executed midsize SUV overall.
According to Cars.com reviewer David Thomas, “most staffers at Cars.com have grown to really like the Santa Fe as a good alternative to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It has a very quiet and comfortable ride and a large cargo area.
“There's a very good warranty, and I almost bought one myself. I even recommended the Santa Fe to my sister, who did go out and buy one a few months back. She's enjoying it on a very long commute and has reported no problems.”
Hyundai redesigned the Santa Fe for the 2007 model year and brought a host of improvements that stepped up the Santa Fe’s game compared to the previous generation, including increased passenger room, an optional third-row seat and more-powerful engine options. A 2008 Santa Fe starts at $20,995 for the front-wheel drive GLS model and the smaller V-6, while an all-wheel drive Limited trim with a more powerful V-6 starts at $29,600.
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I agree. The Santa Fe is one of the most under-rated vehicles on the market. It bridges the gap between small 2- (CR-V) and 3-row (RAV4) and mid-size (Highlander & Pilot) CUV's nicely. After driving every mid-size car and CUV on market, my wife chose the Santa Fe, and we weren't shopping based on price, either. In my opinion, after several years of continuous improvement, Hyundai can no longer be considered a 'sub-prime' automotive manufacturer, and it's only a matter of time before the market notices this. (The Genesis won't be considered an anomoly in 5 years...)
I think the 2007 and up Hyundai Santa Fe is a vast improvement over the previous model in terms of looks. I won't miss those fish eye reflectors looking at me when I am stopped behind one of the older models.
As far as the interior goes, I rode in one of the older models once and I have to admit, the vehicle felt very tight and well put together. It actually reminded me of the feel of a Subaru Forester that I once owned.
So hats off the Hyundai as far as the 07-08 Santa Fe is concerned. A vast improvement exterior wise.
All the new Hyundai models appear to be first class. They have the same flavor, quality, smooth and quiet engines and the solid-build feeling that Toyota products USED to have, before Toyota dumped quality.
We love our 2007 Sante Fe Limited. I bought this for my wife to replace her older CRV. We cross shopped this car against all of the competition in it's size class and smaller. It was easily the nicest vehicle with a very refined powertrain and luxurious interior. The fact it is a top safety pick sealed the deal. While driving it is very easy to believe you're in a Japanese luxury SUV. I actually prefer driving this to my Japanese luxury car sometimes. It is that nice a vehicle.
We had a loaner '07 Santa Fe GLS from a dealer not long ago. The seatbacks were not really firm, but hard, as was the center armrest cover.
It drove fine, though the position felt kind of odd and the telescopic aspect of the steering wheel was hardly much at all. It seemed a bit noisier than I would have expected. The 2.7L V6 wasn't underpowered and the transmission shifted smoothly most of the time.
The air direction control of the HVAC system was annoying--buttons for the air direction are easy to see but weren't easy to figure out because of the circular arrangement.
I bought a 2008 Santa fe in March 08 and although I am very happy with the suv and the dealership that sold me it,I have two issues. First, the stabilizer light goes off when I have it on. The other problem is that my two front tires are bald but only on the inner half of each front tire. I have never hit anything and I dont speed very often, if at all. I really do love this vehicle but I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else?? Allan.
yes allan- my 2007 santa fe front tires are bald on the inside after 20k miles.
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I like Santa Fe.
I just don't understand why when these "specialists" talk about Santa Fe they mention CR-V and RAV-4. Santa Fe is not in that league. That is a Tacson's league. Santa Fe is in the league with Murano and Highlander.
Santa Fe has no 4 cyl option and gas mileage is 17/24 on FWD, while both CR-V and RAV-4 with such configuration are about 22/28.
But the other reason why Santa Fe is in the different league is a resale value. Santa Fe is a car you must keep a long time unless you don't care about yuor money. CR-V is list depreciating vehicle of all.
My theory is to make car work for you and not you work for your car.
If not for that, we like Santa Fe.