2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Consumer Reviews

Love My Santa Fe!

Written by: J on 11/08/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Purchased my new Santa Fe SE AWD in August and could not be happier! This is a definite upgrade from my previous car, a 2005 Corolla. I have wanted to upgrade from the Corolla to an SUV for about two years now. I test drove virtually every new compact and midsize SUV on the market today during that time. I used to never think I would own a Hyundai, but after a test drive of the new Genesis coupe during a promotion in June, I decided to look at the Santa Fe and am glad I did! I love the power and performance, but my favorite feature has to be the upgrade in space over the Corolla. Hyundai has definitely won me over because the value cannot be beat! Drive one and experience for yourself!

Favorite Features

The large interior, bluetooth, and warranty.

Suggested Improvements

For the most part the interior is well constructed, but I wish the interior door handles were not so flimsy. Gas mileage could always be better, but overall GREAT vehicle.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great car - initial review//more later

Written by: necostanzo on 11/07/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Bought this vehicle today after driving a Azera and Sonata. This vehicle was actually quieter on the highway than the Sonata and was almost as luxurious as the Azera. I am very happy with this vehicle. This is my initial review and I will update it as I drive the vehicle more....Only annoying issue so far is the blue lights on the dash, even when turned to full dim, they are still too bright. I don't care for the brightness of the lights.

Favorite Features

Interior quietness on the highway nice looking good power

Suggested Improvements

Make dash lights dim even further at night...they are way too bright even at the lowest setting.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great car for the price

Written by: Martin on 11/07/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Researched many different models before settling for Hyundai.I have had the car for two weeks now and have more than 1000 miles on it. It is very comfortable. Unlike my Honda Accord that I heard some rattling noise from the dash from day one, I have not noticed any noise or rattle.Fit and finish is on par with a lot more expensive cars in its class.I have become so impressed with Hyundai quality that I am considering another one for my wife. Great job Hyundai.

Favorite Features

Smooth quiet ride. Fit and finish of interior. The build quality.

Suggested Improvements

I wish the seats would have another inch or two of thigh support. Also a back up camera would be great to be integrated in navigation screen.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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So far so good with very few problems

Written by: sweep on 10/30/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Purchased the base model for two weeks with 500 miles now. The gas mileage is about 19 in local and 21 on highway. Really like the design, interior and exterior. The engine is very quite, just not as powerful as what I think about a V6 engine. Overall experience is great. There are two places that make me give a 9 instead of 10. 1. When I try to get out of the front driver seat, my right knee often gets scratched with the sound output, which hurts. 2. The trunk door is hard to pull back down.

Favorite Features

Great looking and convenience design. Smooth engine and safety features. Spacious leg and cargo room.

Suggested Improvements

See details above.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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love this vehicle

Written by: Linda on 10/21/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I purchased this vehicle mainly due to the warranty and reliability. I also have a 2004 Sonata and have had no problems.This is a fun vehicle to drive with enough room for hauling. I love all of the features and strongly recommend it.

Favorite Features

This is fun to drive, great window visibility, like sitting higher than in my car, ease if all controls.

Suggested Improvements

Fog lights should be standard, we had to pay extra to add these. Side mirrors should have turn signal lights mounted.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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snow machine

Written by: northjay on 10/08/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV AWD (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

We took the Santa fe GLS into the high mountains of Colorado in a big snow storm performance was all most flawless excellent all wheel / 4 wheel drive

Favorite Features

fit and finish

Suggested Improvements

better seats Better stock tires

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Lots of bang for the buck

Written by: ddh on 10/07/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Bought this car 3 weeks ago and have put 1700 miles on it. I've been getting 26-27 mpg combined city/hwy mileage. The base V-6 is quiet & delivers spirited acceleration in town and when passing on the highway. The 6-speaker stereo sounds good; I really like the XM satellite radio, and the USB as I can put all my music on a tiny jump drive and don't have to clutter the car with CD's. Interior is comfortable, well- appointed, and build quality is as good as Honda, Toyota, etc. Handling & ride quality are excellent, & the stock tires seem to work well in all conditions.

Favorite Features

Smooth engine, quiet interior, nice stereo, lots of interior storage, lots of safety features, excellent build quality.

Suggested Improvements

None, really. This is a fine automobile.

22 out 22 people found this review helpful

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Love it, love it, love it!

Written by: C. Cook on 10/02/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Great looking SUV and runs, drives and handles even better. Ride is a little firm on rough roads, but excellent on a good highway. The 3.3 V6 performs much better than the 2.7 with the same highway MPG rating. We LOVE the great looking beige premium cloth interior as well as the other upgrades that come with the SE package. The Limited package is nice, but we just don't like leather seats and one summer in Alabama will enlighten you as to why!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Allow individual options on the Limited package so folks can have cloth seats and no "hole in the roof" to cramp head room!

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Very Happy- but room for Improvements

Written by: CCM on 09/20/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

My wife and I chose the Santa Fe for many reasons vs. the competition. The over-all value we felt we received with this vehicle meets our expectations. The 3rd row seating with the DVD player entertainment system is a BIG plus! The vehicle handles well, and has decent pick-up. I am slightly disappointed with the 1st of 5 gears; It feels like it hesitates a little from a stand-still. The "Range" feature of the trip computer is misleading- When I think I am about to run out of gas, and when I fill-up, I only put in 16.8 gal, not the 19.8 it holds! Overall, the vehicle is very quiet, has a great Infinity sound system, fun blue dash lighting (and cup holder), and user-friendly controls.

Favorite Features

8-way adjustable driver seat, dual-zone climate control, 2nd row B-Pillar vents, 3rd row auxiliary climate control, style, quietness, 1st and 2nd row leg room, 115v power outlet (at rear of vehicle).

Suggested Improvements

Passenger seat needs 8-way power adjustments, turn signal mirrors, memory driver seat, back liftgate glass should be able to open. The touring package should have the option to choose BOTH the in-dash navigation and DVD entertainment system- not one or the other, fold flatter 2nd row seats.

15 out 18 people found this review helpful

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2.7 + 5 spd manual, a mistake

Written by: whoops on 09/10/2009

Vehicle

2009 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Purchased the 2.7 with 5 speed manual. This power train combination is very disappointing and should be avoided. Recommended shift points are at 15 mph. 25 mph. 35 mph. and 45mph (each of these coincide with very close to 3,000 rpm). Slower-than- expected acceleration from a stop is unnerving, with over-anxious drivers behind you. After 1200 mile break-in (not traveling above 55 mph)the drivetrain mismatch becomes evident, as you can only reach and maintain 65 mph by sustaining 3,000 rpm or higher in 5th gear! Slight hills challenge you to maintain speed, even with no load. I believe this car fails to meet the minimum performance requirements for safe driving on U.S. interstate highways.

Favorite Features

Cabin very roomy. Fit and finish very good.

Suggested Improvements

Reconfigure or discontinue the 2.7 ltr. / 5 spd manual drive train. Radio face too big and oriented to accommodate XM use, an option I don't care about. Slight body roll in even moderate speed cornering, suggesting suspension could be stiffer.

11 out 14 people found this review helpful

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