Used 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Consumer Reviews

I don't get Hyundai...

...for making a car with this kind of transmission. I liked the Santa Fe until the experiences I have had with the transmission. It does ruin the driving experience. And to make matters worse, Hyundai service tells me nothing is wrong with it when there clearly is a problem. No transmission shifts like this. It clearly is slipping and it definitely does not help the poor gas mileage figures that the car already has.

Nice vehicle

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.

I agree...transmission problems

This vehicle has the absolute worse transmission I have ever experienced. It is defective between 1st and 2nd gear. What makes this more aggravating is that the dealers "acts" like nothing is wrong when the mechanics clearly experience the problem. They "allege" all the codes check out but this transmission has a slippage problem. I think Hyundai is out to screw the consumer and knows about his problem but will not acknowledge it. I am hoping that the government investigates some of the transmission complaints. This is a horrible vehicle.

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS

The transmission stinks... period. Going from first to second gear is whatever you want to call it, a slip, hesitation, pause, delay but it is not normal and Hyundai knows about and continues to put a vehicle on the market with this transmission. It ruins the entire driving experience because when its cold, the hesitation is horrible from first to second gear and continues, at a milder rate, even when its warms up. Shame on you Hyundai this is a lemon law issue.

noise issue

I just bought used 2009 Santa Fe pads and rotors replaced by dealer 1 wheel bearing 2 new tires after about a week it is making a clunking noise when braking and still getting the annoying howling noise from back dealer is going to replace the other wheel bearing but the clunking noise is a concern of course they said they didn't hear it any suggestions? I had my car for just over 2 years and the timing chain went still had bad wheel barings ended up junking the car (killed me) I loved my car feel the dealer sold me a car with issues. I still owed on it too... Bought a 2016 Hyundai Elantra. (Not my SUV) but a newer year.

Early impression is very good

I did quite a bit of online research and a few test drives before purchasing. I've only had the Santa Fe for a week, but I am happy so far. It fits my needs. Auto transmission is quick to 2nd gear and smooth. Combined city and hwy driving is netting 21.5 MPG. Plenty of seat/shoulder room which was an issue in some other mid/compact SUV's. Interior looks sharp with the black leather and I love the blue accent lighting. The hidden storage area in the rear will be very useful for sports gear and more. The tweeters on the Infinity speakers have a high-pitched whine at low volumes. Wife and dealership can't hear it. I sat in another Limited w/Infinity speakers and whine is there too.

Luv my new car

I am extremely happy with this car. My prior car was a Subaru Outback sedan. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this car is much more comfortable and drives just as well. My only complaint was the dealership experience, which was absolutely horrible.

Solid choice for the money

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

First time SUV owner

This SUV is not perfect, but it's 4 to 10 thousand less than the Rav4, Highlander and Pilot. Not as powerful as the Rav4, but on par with all of them. I've got the SE 3.3 V6 and I've been averaging about 21 MPG in stop and go commuting. 5 issues that I've noticed so far. 1) Only lowing the rear windows sometimes causes a percussive booming against the back window. 2) No aux input or easy way to connect MP3 player to stock stereo. 3) Manual lumbar and height adjustment are worthless. 4) Seat Height adjustment lever is right where I place my behind when I get in. This might break over time. 5) Front window sill where the wipers park will fill with snow. Overall, these are small issues.

OK car, bad choice for me

I bought an AWD Limited Santa Fe a year ago.It is an okay car. Some squeak and rattles, but I never had any mechanical failure. The sound is relatively good. Initially, it drives ok. I later found the the front seats were too high and very uncomfortable. It takes me a month to find that out and I develop a serious lower back pain that affects my sleep. The leather used in Santa Fe does not last. I decide to change car to ease my lower back pain. Most dealer were only willing to trade it for 1/3 of the price I paid. I end up give Hyundai another try since they gave highest trade in value. I still lost half of my investment.

I'm in Love

When my wife and I wanted a compact SUV the usual suspects were top on our list. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan were our first choice. But with one look at the New 08 Santa Fe and I was in love. The comfort level was out of this world. The seats are supportive yet cozy. The SE model came with the upgraded fabric which is soft and well appointed. Controls are laid out well and are easy to reach, especially with the steering wheel mounted controls. The cool blue gauges are easy on the eyes and nice too look at. Handling is also sharp and responsive. Looking at the reflectors for the reading lamps you will see that even the smallest details on this ute are polished and refined.

Would not recommend

I never drove a car that was such a lousy performer. The gas mileage and the power train leaves alot to be desired. While the interior is nice and the appearance is nice, I was completely disappointed in the transmission, engine and gas mileage.

Loved my Santa Fe

Smooth ride

Don't get the light interior

Versatile and reliable

Biggest mistake I ever made

I purchased the limited AWD, tried out all sorts of SUV. Warranty was part of the decision factor. For a 30,000 auto, you would think they would have put the lights to stay on after you turn off your key. Nope not there ( I was told it did but no it does not) Does not auto lock the doors after you reach the 12 or 15 miles an hour like most cars do. After reading the manual I find out that when you lock in AWD it turns off at 19 miles an hour. I could not believe it so I call Hyundai and they told me yes that it does. So what is the point in having AWD? I have had it 5 days now and ready to trade it in. Rides good except the back seat vibrates more than it should.

Love the car but....

I purchased my Santa Fe almost two years ago and I have really enjoyed the car for the entire timeuntil today. The car started jumping forward when I was traveling a low speeds or stopped at a light. A few minutes later, the ESC and oil lights illuminated in the dashboard and the car lost power. Luckily I was just two blocks from home.

Bad Transmission

I agree with all the other posters as there is a definite problem with this transmission design. It does not function properly when cold. It is absolutely stupid that Hyundai would put a vehicle on the market with this transmission design. They knew this problem existed and stuck the fools (like me) who decided to purchase it. Never again. I will never buy another Hyundai. This is not a trustworthy company.

Best value for 7-seater crossover SUV

Picked the Santa Fe Limited AWD over Toyota RAV4 (too small and cheap materials), Toyota Highlander (too expensive). Quite happy at the money saved and having a 7-seater for those times when we need 2 extra seats. The engine and tranny combo runs like a dream. Brakes aren't bad for a 4000-lb car.

Smooth transmission

Excellent car. Ride is very smooth and quiet. Love the exterior and interior finish. Handling is very nice and predictable. Transmission is as smooth as it can be. I was able to purchase the SE V6 3.3L 242h Santa Fe for less than the price of the base CRV. Fuel economy is good for a large and heavy vehicle. I'm consistently get 20mpg in stop and go traffic.

Not Impressed so far

With only 600 miles I am starting to feel like this was a bad decision. Transmission is already acting strange. It can't seem to find the right gear going up a hill. Very frustrating. Dealer says this may be a "break in" issue, but I have never had a transmission have a "break in" period, so I am skeptical. installing the roof rack rails was VERY frustrating. Broke one of the rail covers putting the rails on. Poorly designed rail system. What's up with the rear blinkers. I do not feel safe with blinkers mostly on the side and not in the rear!!!!! What were their engineers thinking. I fell for the $3000 REBATE. I just hope I am wrong about this vehicle.

perfect suv crossover

I've had the chance to drive both the new 2008 Honda CR-V and the 2008 Hyundai Santa-fe and personally I would for Santa-fe the ride isn't bad and handles NYC pot holes like a charm it's more roomier then the CR-V with more cargo space then CR-V. The Santa Fe also has a powerful v-6 engine compared to the CR-V and gas isn't too bad in the city as long as you don't the manual drive feature in the city. It's perfect for the high way. Over all if you want more room and features then the Santa Fe is you.

A Good Choice!

Bought my Santa Fe used to replace an Oldsmobile Intrigue with a 3.8 liter engine. It had been a rental with 6,000 miles. The ride is comfortable, has plenty of power to move in and out of traffic, it handles well, and it gives better mileage than my Intrigue. Around town I get 19.1 to 20.2, with 24- 26 on the highway (I get about 1.5 to 2.0 less MPG on ethanol blends). No mechanical problems. Purchase the rear plastic mat to cover you carpeting if you are going to haul anything dirty.

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Car review

I have only had the car for 30 days thus I need more time to see how things work in the long term. I am very impressed with the ride and the handling of the car thus far. I have only driven around town but seem to be getting 22 MPG in town. I am much impressed with the car so far. The radio and Infinity sound system are the best part of the car. I have had many compliments on the car in general from other people.

Nice, but little issues....

Chose the Santa Fe over Rav4 for slightly larger size and cost savings. Initially I like the vehicle, but starting to find annoying issues. Items like the lackluster highway gas mileage (21-22 avg), flat audio from radio (or speakers), and unresolvable issue with car pulling to the right drive me nuts. Turn signal clicker too loud. The door ajar beeper is way too loud and annoying, and beeps at every little thing. The tiny foot rest to the left of the break pedal is too low and out of the way to use. Drivers seat is too high for taller drivers. The spring in the front sun visor causes it to pop forward and limit adjustment.

More than I expected for what I paid

First looked at CRV, RAV4, '09 Forester, Outlander, and Outback (in that order). Finally got over my fear of Hyundai from the old Excel days and tried the Santa Fe. Bingo! The Santa Fe strikes a great balance between size, mpg, comfort and performance (for an SUV). Plus, it has many luxury "extras" standard (except an iPod jack, which I added). Drove nearly 1000 miles in the first week and love it! Interior fit and finish is Lexus-excellent, and outside it looks like most other "luxury mini- SUVs" after the redesign in '07. The Limited trim has a great stereo, leather heated seats, sunroof - all for the price of a mid-level CR-V or RAV4. Reliability is said to be good, but we'll see...

Decent but leaves a lot to be desired

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.

Very Impressed

Picked up a 2008 Limited Santa Fe two weeks ago. Very impressed with the vehicle. I was a GMC man prior to this purchase and traded my 2001 Jimmy with 145K miles. The fit and finish is excellent and the little things got me like the front defrost comes on automatically and shuts off as well. Infinity sound system is fantastic, ride is smooth but the tires seem a bit noisy. Overall I'm very happy with my purchase.

First Hyundai

Sold my beloved '94 MB and bought the Santa Fe Limited. Took very little time to get over the 'name' issue. I purchased based on research and friends with personal experience owning various models of Hyundai. Lots of bang for the buck and the XM radio with multi-CD/MP3 is wonderful. Mileage is as advertised - we all wish for more. As of now - absolutely no complaints.

Very Good Vehicle For The Money

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.

Second Hyundai

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.

Navigation problematic

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.

So far, so good.

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.

The sum is more than its parts...

Wow, has Hyundai come a long way since the early 90's cheapo cars! Fit and finish of the Santa Fe are top notch, very solid and stable feeling on the road, great 3.3L engine (powerful and I'm getting 24.5 mpg avg., mostly hwy), best balance between interior space and exterior dimensions (between a CR-V and Pilot) for a family, and huge value for the price (beneath the CR-V). Almost a perfect "family roadtrip" vehicle that is also nice in the parking lots and side streets. However, if you do a daily commute in heavy traffic you might not appreciate the best parts of this car (it's quiet ride, 5-speed automatic, comfortably supportive seats), and you will definitely get worse mpg!

BEST VEHICLE EVER!!!

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.

Great vehicle for the money!

Having put almost 7000 miles on the Santa Fe in 4 months, I have to say that I am very satisfied. Overall a great vehicle. It is comfortable, spacious, and tows anything I can put in a 4x8 utility trailer. Gas mileage has been about 18 mpg with mostly suburban driving, but I leave it idling a lot for my daughter in the summer. Highway is about 22, but would be a lot better if I could keep it below 80. My wife frequently gets 24-26 on the interstate when she drives. Power is adequate, but not breathtaking. Overall the best value in the 20K SUV price range.

'08 Santa Fe SE FWD joins the family

Just added the SF to our group of cars. We have had an '06 Azera for 1.5 years and it has been a trouble-free and enjoyable car to drive. When adding a vehicle due to a teen driver coming of age, I passed my '04 Element to the kid and was looking for the right blend of space, comfort, performance and value. I drove the Rogue, Murano, Pilot, Sequoia, Sportage, Tucson and Veracruz. The Santa Fe offered me the best combination for the qualities I wanted. The SE is very well put together, quiet, roomy and my first tank of spirited suburban driving returned 20mpg...surprised for sure at that. Hyundai has gotten the build and materials issues handled. We'll watch durability over time.

A good value

We looked pretty closely at 2 other vehicles in this class before buying the Santa Fe. The Subaru Forester didn't offer a V6 and was not as visually appealing. Still with just a 4 cylinder and the options we wanted, it was about $2000 more than the Santa Fe. We liked how the Toyota Rav4 looks, and liked how the V6 handled. But to get the same options as our SE Santa Fe, we would have had to get a Limited Rav4. That was almost $6000 more. Since this was tied with the Rav4 for consumer satisfaction in Consumer Reports, it seemed a no brainer to get this.

First Hyundai Experience

My first time riding in the Santa Fe was actually in a rental.. I'd never looked at Hyundai before but my experience was so nice I ended up purchasing one. It offers an extremely smooth ride, really comfortable, fun and peppy drive, and the console is very stylish!

great suv

I bought this suv because it road so smooth and quiet which makes the 605 Watt stereo sound even better. With 10 speakers and suround sound if you put in a cd and turn it up too loud you might lose your lunch. It has a lot of other Nice features too.

Best Car I Ever Had in 28 Years Driving

I've been driving for 28 years and this is the best car I ever owned. It seats 4 comfortably and I can haul a lot of stuff when I put the seats down. Fuel mileage is excellent for a car with this much storage. After reading about terrible problems in the automatic gear shift from 1st to 2nd, I made sure to check this out repeatedly during the test drive. 10 months later, I have zero problems with that or anything else. I got all the upgrades except for the navigation system and the roof rack. I'm thinking of getting one for my wife and get the $3,500 gov't "CARS" plan since the MPG difference qualifies. Unless you get a rare lemon, this is really a great crossover.

Rare Problem

Comfortable to drive, and build quality seems decent overall. So far 48 days in the shop with a head gasket leak. Actually, the factory FORGOT TO INSTALL THE REAR HEAD GASKET so it was a compression leak, but a tiny leak only when hot. I wish the dealer had pulled the heads first instead of trying everything else first. We'll see how well it does with a properly assembled engine.

Leaks

I purchased a used 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe with 5500 miles on it for 18,900 and then it rained saturating the rugs on the driver's side with water. Two days later it was back at the dealership. They put it through the car wash and said the leak was coming from the door and that it would be ready in two days. They then called and said they were going to keep it two weeks. I took it back home waxed it and kept it in the garage. Last Saturday it poured, I had left it outside and again the rugs were saturated with water. Resealing of the windshield didn't work. This experience has soured me on Hyundais although I really liked the feel and large cargo area. Carmax took the vehicle back.

More than I expected

Having owned for about a week this car/truck is one great vehicle. All the research and test driving other vehicles this is the best hands down. There is so much quality in the detailing that I thought I was buying a Lexus. The infinity radio is just great along the the a/c that is so much better than my 2006 murano. These other car mfg better be looking over there shoulders.

Excellent Value

After 1000 miles I am still impressed with this SUV. It has a car-like feel with a hint of luxury. Quick when it needs to be, corners well and has sleek curves. I paid $22,900 which represents an excellent value for the features and ride.

Possible Hyundai Convert

The '08 Santa Fe is one fun car to drive. It feels light and responsive and the acceleration is very good. The novelty of the blue dashboard light wears off for me fairly quickly but everything is well lite and functions appropriately.

So far so good

The car has a little over 10000 miles on it since bought new in january. The wife gets 22.5 MPG mixed city and highway driving. I get around 26 MPG driving it highway to work. A recent leak in the power steering is being addressed by the dealer. The rack is being replaced and the dealer provided a loaner car over the Labor day Holiday. We have been treated very well by everyone since the car purchase.

Great value for your money

Our Santa Fe has everything to offer for our family of four. Really smooth ride and very fuel-effcient for it's size. Only thing is the engine's reliability . Only 10500 miles and already there is a small oil leak. I'm taking it into the Dealer to get it looked at, but I must say I'm disappointed that a brand new car would already start leaking oil.... :-( Overall, I recommend the car for what it has to offer at a reasonable price. Only flaw about the interior is the lack of an auxiliary port, but I found out that the 09 models were equipped with this, standard. Should of waited a lil longer :-/

Good vehilcle a couple problems

We bought our 2008 Sante fe after looking at Ford, Chev, Toyota and Chrysler and decided that the Sante Fe was an all better deal, price wise, handling and style. We had a problem with the airbag sensor which was irratic, coming on and going off was not predicatable. This was finally fixed. Also the accelerator sensor acted up. The vehicle would pulsate from 600 RPM to 1500 RPM. The sensor was replced and now works well. Love the interior design especially the dashboard lighting. Exterior design is also good.

First Hyundai

We drove various Suv's,Cuv's and we kept going back to the Santa Fe as a basis for comparison. The Santa Fe's cost to value ratio when everything was considered (styling,warranty,level of interior trim, resale value ect)the Santa Fe was the clear winner. Would not hesitate to purchase another Hyundai.