Used 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Consumer Reviews

2010 Santa Fe Limited 3 Mos NEW

The vehicle hesitates when I try to accelerate and sounds like slipping into gear Dealer Reset Computer 3 times. Also, Air Bag compartment is different color than dash board. Leather seat squeaks when moves. Very poor workmanship and quality highly disappointed. WOULD NOT RECOMEND ANYONE PURCHASE A SANTA FE OF ANY KIND. the dealerships just tells you thats the way it is and too bad. But I paid $30K for the vehicle and it's like a 20 yr old used car.

Good compromise

There is nothing exceptional about the Santa Fe, however it looks nice, accelerates briskly, has a great warranty and gets decent fuel economy. The interior is mediocre but functional. The seats are comfortable and the ride quality is acceptable. Heated cloth seats on the SE are a bonus. Over the initial 3187 miles, I averaged 21.53 mpg with about 50% highway driving. Prior to purchasing, we test drove the Pilot, Highlander, RAV4, Murano and Forester. The Pilot and Highlander were more desirable-- but would have cost several thousand dollars extra with similar options. After the incentives, we paid $24,000 for the V-6 SE and feel like it was by far the superior value.

Great Car

I have owned this car for over a year and have not had a problem. I love it!!!

Luv my Hyundai Santa Fe

I have been driving various Honda vehicles for the past 13 years. They have pretty much priced themselves out of the market(for what you get). And let's face the fact that a Honda drive like a Honda. I purchased the 2010 SE this past Saturday. I wanted something a bit more "luxurious" & want to feel that I am getting little bit more value for my money. Everyone I have spoken with who has a Santa Fe highly recommends this vehicle. I was sold after my test drive. Very comfortable & lots of space for everyone. I am impressed that the sticker said 20/26 for gas mileage. Very solid/safe/sporty suv!

Great Except For

Great vehicle-except A) no protective covering on rear bumper as in 2009 models, B) and takes a lot of effort in order to lock steering wheel (180 degree turn of steering wheel). Lastly, no daytime running lights, reason unknown.. All controls easy to see, reach and use. I do mostly city driving and have gotten about 20 mpg thus far.

Great Vehicle

Checked out everything else prior, and I mean everything. Wife suggested Santa Fe and I reluctantly added it to the mix. (What can the Koreans possibly have to offer?) What a pleasant surprise. Fit, finish, comfort, performance, price & just plain fun to drive. Only major downside: My wife won't let me drive it, I have to take the Lexus to work!

Great vehicle!

I purchased the Santa Fe se v. 6 awd in April 2010 and now have almost 2500 miles on it. I was a little concerned about the gas mileage the first 1000 miles because it seemed low but as soon as it hit about 1500 the mpg jumped significantly. We took a long interstate drive and it averaged almost 25-26 mpg. I live in a city and it now averages about 21-22 which is very good for this size vehicle. Will try it out on a 1200 mile trip next week and see how it does. I will say that I love my Santa Fe. It is very easy for me to drive and it is very comfortable. It has plenty of storage compartments. I don't really have any complaints so far. I will Post a review again in a few more months.

High Quality Vehicle

I am a field claims adjuster for an insurance company so I look at wrecked cars all day every day. Recently I have noticed that Hyundai's build quality has improved vastly. I've also taken note of how well they hold up in crashes. When we received a letter from our local dealer offering added incentives for Toyota owners to trade their vehicles in, my wife and I went to the dealer and checked out the Santa Fe.We we were sold on the looks, the quality of the interior and the performance, and traded in our 07 Rav4 right then.Don't be put off by Hyundai's prior reputation, the fit and finish is at least equal to Honda and Toyota and the warranty is excellent.Feels like a lexus inside.Recommend!

Nice cars

This is a very good vehicle

A so-so vehicle

I've had the vehicle almost a year now. I think it is an okay vehicle for the price you are paying, with good features, but there are some annoying deficiencies. On the plus side, the acceleration is very good, the handling is pretty good for an SUV, the interior is above average, and you get a long list of advance features. On the negative side, the ride is a little bit harsh. There are some fit and finish issues. The rear door needs to be slammed to close properly. The rear hatch area is not aligned perfectly. Occasionally there are some annoying squeaks and rattles from various parts of the car which speak to poor build quality. So far, I haven't any transmission problems.

Mostly great

This is a great car for the money. I am having some type of down shifting problem with the car. When the car is cold and is first starting out down the road it seems to not want to down shift, and then it suddenly makes a loud noise then jumps forward and down shifts. When I brought it to the dealership, they were not able to duplicate the problem so they erased the computer to see if that would fix it. Interestingly enough, there was a customer ahead of me that owned a 2009 Sonata that described the same problem. Apparently, there is a technical service bulletin for that model to make the repair. Hopefully, if this becomes a problem for Santa Fe they will come up with a repair.

2010 Santa Fe Lemon-

After great reviews I took a chance on a Hyundai Santa Fe 2010. Ran great until about 7000 miles. That's when I noticed oil on my garage floor. Had the problem (timing chain cover)"fixed". Four days later it is leaking worse than ever. I can't wait to hear what the problem is this time. Also, intermittent transmission issues. Hyundai customer service no help yet. I will never buy a Hyundai again. I wish I would have done better research when I bought this vehicle. Please do yourself a favor if you are reading this review trying to decide on a purchase...do not buy a Hyundai. I fell like I threw $22000 out of the window and I'm sure it won't last 100K. I should have bought a gm. :-(

Hyundai Respect!

I trade every 3 years and wanted a smaller SUV with improved mileage and adequate room. Looked at the Equinox, Rav4, Subaru outback, and the Murano. Chose the Sante Fe due to the power, interior design, fuel mileage, ride, and backseat/storage room. Also made in America. Very good sound system and climate control.

I am disapointed

After spending nearly $30,000 for a Hyundai with a 4 cylinder engine I thought I would get the mileage posted on the sticker 20/28. Instead I am getting 16/ 22. The vehicle occasionally lunges forward when driving in stop and go traffic. The zone service Mgr rode with me but the vehicle did not lunge during that half hour. I have a case filed with Hyundai. I hope this isn't something like the Toyota problem with gas pedals. It makes me feel uneasy.

Love the 2010 Santa Fe

I wanted an SUV and had my eye on the Honda CRV. My husband suggested I check out the Santa Fe and I'm glad I did. The cargo room and test drive made me fall in love with this car. Loads of of cargo room and very nimble drive for a mid-sized SUV.

Love it!

Just bought the Santa Fe and I love it! It was down to this or the CRV. I have owned Hondas for the last 25 yrs. Hyundai won! Much more luxurious feel. Drives like it is floating and excellent value!

Buy it!

Rented one after totaling my 2001 Infiniti I30, was curious about a crossover and was hooked! I had to drive the V6 because I like to be able to pass another car on the freeway and the 4 cylinder is too weak. I'm under 5 feet tall, and this car makes me taller in the seat and on the road! It also fits my 5'10" husband well. Great value for the money and now I can go to Home Depot and not rent one of their trucks!

Pleased so far

My new 2010 Santa Fe has about 4000 miles on it so far. Overall I am pleased with the car but there are some things i don't like about it. The ride is very rough. From the factory the tires had 36 lbs of pressure. Dropping the pressure to 30lbs helped a lot but the ride is still stiffer than that of a 2010 Rav 4 Limited. The V6 engine is very powerful but the gas pedal has excessive lag. Step on the gas and wait a 2 seconds before the engine RPM picks up. You will find many complaints online regarding the transmission but I haven't experienced any problems yet (fingers crossed). Rav 4 would have been my first choice if it wasn't for that swing out rear door.

Sounds under the suv

This is my second Santa Fe, my first was the 2007. This one has a thumping sound when the gas tank isn't full. I've taken it back twice for repair, am told there is no repair that is only happens on this size engine. However my loner was a smaller engine and it does the same thing when driving. Beware, this is a new problem with the 2010's. After two attempts to fix it, there is no fix. I was told I'd have to drive it that way. This is my last Hyundai. I'm so sorry, because I love the style and comfort.

Awesome vehicle

I bought my Hyundai Santa Fe used in 2011 with 40000 miles on it It now has 360000 miles on it original is original motor original transmission however however the key to this running so well is that I get a transmission service done every 40000 miles I flushed my radiator and changed my thermostat cool changged coolant temperature sensor gasket radcap and add fresh Radcoolant every 60 000 milesas well I changed the fluid in my power Steeing pump my brake fluid I have the car Crown rust controlled for rust proofing every year Also I go with NGK iridumspark plugs changed every 60 000 miles. I must also mention that my air conditioning at 360000 miles still works the vehicle still stays cold it's cold it's a fantastic vehicle I definitely will have another 2.4 litre 4 cylinder Hyundai Santa Fe . I also changed my pulling and seeping belt every 60 000 miles. As well consistently check my tire pressure and fluids weekly. I have weather tech mats in my vehicle since I bought it used.. completely front back and cargo section. I live in central ontario canada. Barrie ontario lots of snow and crazy winter weather this vehicle handles great lots of room great ride. You want a vehicle to last 360 000 miles it is called detailed up keep like I do. Thank you. Cliff Murphy Ontario canada August 19 2021

First Non-North American Car

I've had the Santa Fe for almost 2 months now. The ride and handling are great. Pick up is better than expected. I have had GM, Ford and Dodge and they didn't feel as solid as the Santa Fe. Highway driving is excellent, city is also good. Lots of cargo space and storage in rear. My 3 kids sit comfortably in back seat. Quiet in the cabin at highway speeds. Gas mileage isn't bad with the V6, just drive in the ECO range and you'll get further. Overall not a bad choice for my first import car (Korean). I'll see how it holds up over the next 5 years and update my review where needed.

A lot of SUV for the money; very happy!

I came from a 2008 Mariner Premier, this SUV is superior in every way. Smooth ride, quiet, and very comfortable and the included amenities are unbelievable for the price; avg mpg, outside temp, steering wheel radio controls, blue tooth, wood grain trim, storage everywhere. These seats are VERY comfortable, this was the biggest surprise for me. This is also a very, very smooth transmission. At 70 mph in central FL, I am getting between 23.5 to 24 mpg on a brand new engine...but that is also what I get in city driving. The vehicle is better than the 20 mpg city rating but less than the 28 mpg highway rating; Hyundai ought to address this and not use calculations. Give this SUV a look!

Good buy

The Santa Fe is a very pleasant SUV. After owning a Honda Pilot for 3 years, I found the SF to be a worthwhile transport. It does ride more like a real SUV as where the Pilot was more like a car. I believe the 18" tires have a lot to do with this. The ffit and finish of the SF is now up to Honda standards in every way and at a much fairer price($4-5K saved). I do find the ride is much better than my '09 Sonata which I traded in( it had a noisy suspension). My only complaint is the driver seat is hard to adjust to my liking though not terrible in its feel. I have to be picky to say this as the SF is a joy to drive and with the 6 engine has great road power. Believe me, try it!

Still in Shock

I am a 1st time Hyundai owner. A humbled one I might add. Never even allowed myself to consider this brand. Wanted to move into small SUV and shopped comps at Subaru, Chevy, maz, niss, Dodge, Ford. No one even came close to Hyundai's prod and price with awd / auto. Impressed w /the standard options normally reserved for upgrades, 5* consumer reviews, 5* safety, fuel efficiency, space, styling in and out, quality of drive, fab warranty and hassle free buying, great manufacturer financing. While Hyundai is a Korean vehicle, the Santa Fe's are built in American factories by Americans. All around I would recommend taking the plunge. A smart buy your not likely to regret

Jury is out

I have owned my Santa Fe since 5/10 and have 15k on it since then I'm happy to say that i've not experienced any of the transmission problems others have. I do have a service appointment next week to fix a problem with the rear door locks, they stopped working when using the key fob. I'm a bit unhappy with all the doors and door hardware on this vehicle in regards to quality and am unsure how it will hold up over time (not optimistic). Other than that I'm happy with the driving experience and mpg.

4 Cyl Santa Fe - 90 day Review

We purchased a 4 cyl. FWD Santa Fe Ltd in late March and waited to drive it awhile before posting a review. We were looking for a mid-sized SUV to drive north each summer with kayaks and bikes. The SF had more room and comfort than the CR-V or RAV-4 for about the same price. This is our first Hyundai. This Santa Fe model is a very comfortable car with adequate acceleration but does require the driver to plan ahead a bit when passing or pulling out into traffic. Mileage in small town/rural driving has been in the mid-20s so far. We are still concerned about what we have heard are owner experiences with the warranty - but so far we are very pleased with our purchase.

So far, better than expected

I looked at the Ford Escape (no power), the Honda CR-V (less than no power), Jeep Liberty (no legroom) and was pleasantly surprised with the Santa Fe. I looked at it 8 years ago and it was a gas pig then. It now has a six-speed transmission and the V6 actually gets only 1 mpg less than the 4-cylinder with a ton more power. I read reviews that some people weren't happy with the mileage. My tests: driving hard on the highway: 22-23 mpg, going 40-50 mph to work: 28 mpg, 35- 40 mpg on flat surfaces: 32 mpg, combined: 24-25 mpg. The interior and sound system are far and away the best out there. Very quiet. No winter yet, but awd got me through a flash flood just great. Absolutely a good choice.

A lot of bang for the buck

The Santa Fe is just the right size for me, not too small like the CRV or RAV4 but still small enough to be fun to drive. I bought the Limited with navigation, and the IPOD integration, blue tooth, and nav system, and satellite radio and backup camera all work wonderfully. The 6 cylinder has great pick-up. I've been averaging 21 MPG with mostly city driving. Taking some 6 footers out to lunch, they found the back seat roomy and comfortable. The cargo room is very spacious. The paint job is top-notch. Fit and finish inside and outside are outstanding. The dash controls are wonderfully laid out. The leather seats up front with the power seat is very comfortable.

Completely satisfied!

Purchased a 2010 Hyundai Sata Fe SE, FWD with the 3.5L 6cyl 6A. This is my first Hyundai and I was really surprised at the quality and refinement. I think it compares favorably with more expensive SUV's (Nissan Murano etc.) I really wanted the Limited version-but could not get the gray interior-only on the SE. However, I am very pleased with my SE. It's very quiet with outstanding ride/handling characteristics. I also calculated approx. 19.5 mpg on my first tank of gas (mostly city). Excellent mid-sized SUV!

Oil leak

I had a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe V6 first owner. 195000km the engine got a bad leak from the crankshaft seal ( between engine and transmission) there is no solution fix other than replace the engine. We try just to replace the seal but the pressure bump it off the leak came back. Poor engineering design. I had to sell the car cheap basically for parts. Very disappointed.

Would not ever give it up. Best car i ever had and

If you are looking to buy a car buy HYNDAI. IT WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.

Bad transmission

Do not buy this car! I only have 8,000 miles and the transmission is faulty. Hyundai will only put a refurbished one in and not a new one. Many other Santa Fe owners are having the same problems, stay away from this car.

Honda Girl Turned Hyundai

My first non-Honda car and I am impressed. This SUV appears to have a smaller trunk space than I am used to but not a show stopper. There are a/c vents on the sides of the door in the back, which causes the air to circulate better than being on the back of the center console for the back seaters. The ride is smooth and I don't hear the thumping sound that others are complaining about. I do have a concern with the exterior door handles as they seem like they aren't too sturdy. All in all, I am very pleased!

Value Price

Second Santa Fe, wife still owns 2005 which has had no problems in 5 years. Excellent value for the money. A lot more sportier look, better acceleration and improved gas mileage make it a winner.

For the price, a Great Value

Fun car to drive, after owning a Honda CR-V, this car has a lot of power compared to the 4 cyl Honda. The all wheel drive is just great. You really notice it in the rain.

Just one day in and I love it.

Left from home convinced we were coming home in a Murano. We spent 2 hours at the Nissan dealership only to find that we would only be able to get a stripped down Murano in our price range. We went two miles down the road and stopped to drive a Santa Fe. I just couldn't believe how much SUV we got for the money. Bigger, more features, cheaper, and better safety rating than the Murano. Love putting my wife and 2 year old son in such a safe reliable vehicle. If safety is a priority, then you have to give this thing a look. Save the money, get the features. My step-mother turned us on to the Santa Fe when she traded in her Navigator for a 2009. She likes it better than her $50,000.

Hard Shifting among other things

I purchased a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe in February of 2010. Since day one I have experienced fast idle upon starting (1500 rpm), hard shifting, A/C that won't work when idling and then no A/C at all and a "thumping" in the cabin of the vehicle (right about center console location). After repeated trips to the service dept. the fast idle still exists, the hard shifting still exists, and the A/C has been fixed. I was horrified when the service dept. told me that the transmission may have to be replaced but they would have to get the car to "relearn" something or other (what??). I'm going back to the dealership and I want a new transmission or a new car - simple as that. Totally unhappy.

Who knew a Hyundai is this good?

Good value for the money. Expected to buy a used RAV4 or similar small CUV but got a good deal: MSRP at 27k, bought at 23k. Wish sunroof came standard but having it added, which upped price to 24k out the door. Comfortable, stylish, good cargo space. I had smaller, sportier cars before this so I'm adjusting to driving a mid-sized SUV. Easy to drive and very good acceleration.

Oil Leak & Trans Issues

This is the first and LAST Hyundai I will EVER buy. I typically buy Honda (Accord, CR-V), but I bought the SF based on good reviews (Consumer Reports, etc.), enjoyable test drive, and apparent bang for the buck over the new CR-Vs. After 8K miles I have had 2 oil leaks (Timing Chain Cover Seal + cracked oil filter housing), & the intermittent transmission issues (hard shift, banging, lurching, etc.) that so many others have had. I will now crawl back to Honda for my next new car. It's a shame because without those MAJOR, inexcusable issues, the Santa Fe is an otherwise enjoyable vehicle. I thought Hyundai had done a 180 from the laughing stock it once was, looks like I was wrong.

Wheels for an older wheel

First Time Hyundai Santa Fe Owner

We recently purchased a 2010 Santa Fe GLS with Nav. Generally, we are pleased with the car. The fit and finish is very good and the car is rich in features. It's a very pleasant car; competent but not excellent. I have some concerns over how well the car will age - time will tell. One thing I am disappointed over is the gas mileage; we are averaging about 21 mpg in mixed driving. We had hoped for a bit better considering our GLS is the four cylinder version.

Revised: No Longer completely satisfied!

This is an update from my review from 05/09/10. I absolutely loved everything about this car (past tense). I have been experiencing transmission problems which seems to be worsening. I am experiencing rough- "clunking" and abrupt shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd gear. Also at first start after overnight I hear a metal clanging from underneath towards the back/underside of the vehicle right after the first "clunk". Hyundai has "no fix". They have been reflashing the tcm's, ecm's, installing "new transmissions" with the same problems! Hyundai needs to step-up and remedy this problem. Purportedly it was defective transmissions from 1st production runs.

Great Car

I have only had it for a month, but so far I love it. Very smooth ride, very quiet vehicle. Build quality seems to be excellent, and the warranty is great. My mom just bought a 2010 Chevy Equinox, and hers is an 2LT, which is not the top of the line model, I got my top of the line Limited Santa Fe with more options than her Equinox, for about 4,000 dollars cheaper. It's the first foreign car I have owned, but I loved the look of it, and loved it when I took it for a test drive. And then add on the price and it was too good to pass up.

Poor Gas Mileage so far

Greetings, I knew my new SUV is fine with the exception of the gas mileage. I'm getting about 16-17 MPG driving in the suburbs. Everyone tells me the mileage will get better after 3,000 miles. I have about 1,500 so far. I sure hope so.

Its a keeper!

So far I am very satisfied with my Santa Fe. It has been very smooth, quiet and efficient (as long as I am not mashing on the gas) and my current peak was 27.2mph. I average about 23 combined which is what I expected and is decent for AWD, the heat in S. Florida, and traffic. The ride height and visability are very helpful for observing the road. The turning radius is excellent! The AWD system really helps when its wet. I have no experience in the snow currently living in Miami, Fl, but bought this with the intentions of moving to D.C.

A really nice vehicle

Had this vehicle for a year now, and I really like it. Mileage could be a little better, and one annoyance is that it does not have an outside-temperature gauge. Very nice ride, particularly on the highway, lots of usable interior room, and it handles well. Brake feel is a little soft. Did have a problem with the splines on the intermediate shaft to the transmission shearing at 20,000 km, but was fixed under warranty. Our dealer treated us well, and we have since leased a 2011 Elantra from them.

Six Month Review: Overall Not Bad At All

I purchased this as a preowned unit with about 22k on it, last June. Initially, I had transmission issues like most spoke of. I was advised that the upgraded fluid had been installed at build. I had to go through several rounds of software "flash" upgrades before the harsh shifting calmed down. It still is there a bit in 2nd and 3rd, but is much better. Overall, this is a terrible vehicle to buy new but for late model used, purchased at wholesale, it is actually quite good. If the tranny fails I have a five year warranty and I drive about 7.5k a year so I'm not worried about miles. Interior is quite good, stereo very decent, and leather seats are comfy. Gas milege mediocre.

pleasantly suprised

Totally Happy

I bought the Santa Fe Limited with navigation after a lot of research and test drives of other vehicles. I have to say it has lived up to every situation that i can throw at it. I have read that some users have had issues but I can not say that I have had any of those problems. The only exception is that I am getting a little better gas mileage now than on the spec sheet.

Hyundai added features are nice.

While GM keeps cutting features from their vehicles, Hyundai keeps adding more technology and value to theirs.