2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Consumer Reviews

BEST VEHICLE EVER!!!

Written by: Love my Santa Fe on 07/02/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

This is our 11th time buying a new vehicle and the first time buying a foreign vehicle. The Santa Fe is our favorite vehicle ever. It is fun to drive and very easy to handle. Even though we live in snowy Minnesota, we opted for the FWD and have had no regrets. The FWD handled beautifully in the snow and ice last winter. This vehicle cannot be beat in terms of quality, safety, warranty, price value, and cost to insure. An added bonus is the great dealership where we purchased it - St. Cloud Hyundai. We'll be back there the next time we need to buy a vehicle.

Favorite Features

Quiet ride, blue back lighting, sunroof, reclining 2nd row of seats, all of the standard features included in the Limited.

Suggested Improvements

None

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So far, so good.

Written by: Ed Rea on 06/21/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Purchased this SUV after driving an Infinity G-35x and missing the roominess from my previous SUV. Also, Hyundai was recommended by other friends who have one. Only issue so far is pulling to left. After two alignments, seems to be okay. Although steering is pretty sensitive. Like all the features, styling, performance (little sluggish in shifting between 1st & 2nd gear) so far, after 2000 miles. CD player is only 1 CD capacity?? If reliability holds up, seems like a very good vehicle for the price.

Favorite Features

Styling on exterior and interior and roominess.

Suggested Improvements

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Navigation problematic

Written by: KF on 06/20/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

The Santa Fe handles very well in the snow and is much better than my other 4 wheel drive. After 8000 miles however the navigation/radio unit went out. Sent it to Hyundai dealer for warranty work and the part is back ordered indefinitely. Reportedly there are 50+ on back order ahead of me so apparently this is not an isolated incident. So I selected this vehicle because of the nav and other upgrades and they are unreliable. Fuel mileage is about 21.9 mpg.

Favorite Features

The classy detailing, rear air controls and comfortable riding.

Suggested Improvements

Improve navigation system. The whole unit went out no power at all after 8000 miles.

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Don't buy it

Written by: ck on 05/15/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Owned less than 1 year. Dealership closed so the cheap oil changes and factory warranty..kiss goodbye. Had 1 electrical prob. rt off. They fixed it. Then this week the engine light and ESC light came on. Called for a tow. They said they'll town to nearest dealer who is 2 hrs away. Called dealer to discuss issue and car rental. Mechanic there treated me like dumb female told me the lights did not mean much. So scared they would not cover costs I canceled tow. Then car died on BUSY hwy 2 days later suffering from same issue. Brand new car. Customer service stinks. Warranty not much better.Buy another make!!

Favorite Features

Heated seats

Suggested Improvements

It should not break down in the 1st year. The driver window squeaks and the sun roof leaks.

3 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Second Hyundai

Written by: Hyundai owner on 05/14/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

We purchased this car one year ago after looking at RAV-4, CR-V, Escape, Murano, Rogue, and Tuscon. We might not have ever considered it except we have a 2000 Hyundai Accent that has been fantastic. This is pretty much my dream car. It has 99% of the features I really wanted (leather, sunroof, wheel-mounted audio controls, CD/MP3 with changer, blue lights...just missing the auxiliary jack which I hear they now have on the 2009 model). My husband and I actually mistook it for a Lexus in a Target parking lot a few months after we bought it. The interior materials are top-notch and I actually like the firm ride.

Favorite Features

See above.

Suggested Improvements

They have already added the auxiliary jack. I can understand why some people would complain about the headroom, but I am 5'3" and needed something that let me see over the steering wheel. :) I didn't think I needed navigation but I did end up going out and buying a separate GPS unit.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Very Good Vehicle For The Money

Written by: Dick Smith on 05/10/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

We bought this 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe after a lot of looking at various SUV's. Our first choice was the Highlander, but they are very high priced. We ended up with the Santa Fe because it was a lot of vehicle for the money. About $5,000 cheaper than a comparable Highlander. We are very satisfied with it. It is a very nice vehicle in all aspects. We would highly recommend it to anyone.

Favorite Features

Comfort and reliability great so far. Has a lot of pep. Sterio is great and all the features are very nice.

Suggested Improvements

Haven't found anything, so far, that we would change at this point. At 3,200 miles we are very satisfied.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Solid choice for the money

Written by: Dan on 04/23/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Hyundai is obviously not Toyota or Honda..that being said the Santa Fe is our third Hyundai SUV and we have never had major issues with any of them. The ride in this SUV is by far the quietest and most comfortable of other SUVs in ITS PRICE RANGE. We also have a 2008 CRV and the Santa Fe is a much better pic for highway travel. Gas mileage on the other hand has not improved from our older Santa Fe. I consistently get 21mpg mixed driving. You will not get 24mpg on a tank,ever. On a road trip I managed 23mpg going 70mph. Our AWD CRV averages 25mpg...then again it's lighter and a 4cyl. Fit and finish is great; front seat is not good for tall drivers..but acceptable. Trade-in is terrible

Favorite Features

fit and finish, road composure and ride noise...or lack there of. blue lighing is different. Grocery box in trunk is fantastic (our CRV is terrible for grocery shopping);

Suggested Improvements

Bigger foot rest; longer drivers seat travel; more thigh support; 5 speed auto; Stereo is ok but not great (good bass, but no highs); Image of Hyundai- you loose too much on trad-in even though the cars are very good.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Definitely NOT worth $30,000

Written by: Stacy V on 04/22/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I chose my brand new Santa Fe over a used Lexis with 15K miles. WORST mistake ever. Just a months after owning it I had to have the carpet replaced twice and bumper repainted because paint was peeling off. Now after 20K miles the dash is peeling and the leather seats have rubbed down to nothing leaving a rip in the driver seat. I'm 5'4", weigh 120lbs but they say it's not covered under warranty because I'm not entering my car the right way. The latches on the third row seat broke and had to be replaced. I'm scared what the value is going to be if I decide not to keep it.

Favorite Features

Stereo system, I love the peal white color and having heated seats. However, the heated seats are only in the front.

Suggested Improvements

BETTER QUALITY!!! I worked for an aircraft interior company that has the type of leather I would expect to be in a $30K+ vehicle.

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1300 Miles on New '08 Santa Fe

Written by: Ohio Citizen on 04/20/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I'm happy overall with my new '08 Santa Fe. I've never owned a Hyundai, but they sold me with the massive warranty and assurance program. I looked at CR-Vs and Escapes, and I found this was a much better priced vehicle for the options I wanted. It's comfortable and snazzy. It drives more like an SUV than a zippy car. Braking distance sometimes sneaks up on you-- I've taken to adding some following distance. There's plenty of leg room. I wish there was more headroom in the driver's side. Anyone more than 6' tall will feel a bit scrunched by the vehicle roof when driving (my boyfriend is 6'2" and feels the roof is uncomfortably close to his head).

Favorite Features

Under-floor storage in cargo area, styling/looks are pleasing, comfortable seating, great seat heaters, reasonably priced, availability of seat heaters/premium features without leather package, 5-year/100K warranty, assurance program if you lose your job

Suggested Improvements

Auto-up on driver's window, MP3 player input on radio, better braking distance (feels too long sometimes), more head room for driver's seat, telescoping steering wheel setting

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Decent but leaves a lot to be desired

Written by: Martin on 04/18/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

Overall, a good value for the money compared with other SUVs in this class.However...at 4000 km there was an oil leak which took 3 trips to the dealership and was finally fixes with silocone sealant.During the winter,the windshield washer fluid reservoir broke and had to be replaced.Windshield is surprisingly fragile - accidentally dropped the wiper arm when replacing the wipers and the windshield cracked all the way to the top.I also have a 2005 Chevy Malibu and the Santa Fe is missing a lot of the nice add-ons.It even doesn't have auto on headlights (come on, I get leather seats and not this!).I have had less problems with my Chevy (and previous one) in 5 years than with the Santa Fe in 1.

Favorite Features

Large trunk.Stable in winter driving (even with FWD).Good road feel and low noise.

Suggested Improvements

Speed-sensitive intermittent windshield wipers, speed-sensitive audio volume,auto on headlights,headlights should light up when dark and car unlocked/locked,auto lock doors when shift to drive,AUX & USB input,stronger windshield,RDS radio.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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