2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Review





- Ultimate 2.0T 4dr SUVMSRP: $18,99519 mi away
- SE 2.4 4dr SUVMSRP: $14,78817 mi away
- SE 2.4 4dr SUVMSRP: $17,57718 mi away
Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros
- Abundant standard features for the money
- High-quality interior materials
- Generous warranty coverage
- Several standard and optional active safety features
Cons
- Base 2.4-liter engine's power and mpg are subpar
- Rear side view is blocked by wide roof pillars
- Sharp bumps can transmit harshness and road noise into the cabin
What's new
- The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is redesigned
- New interior and exterior look
- New two-row design
- Part of the fourth Hyundai Santa Fe generation introduced for 2019
First, we need to start off with a public service announcement: The naming of the redesigned 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe might throw you off. The previous-generation Santa Fe (2013-2018) was a three-row crossover SUV, but the 2019 model is now a two-row and is essentially the redesign of last year's two-row Santa Fe Sport. Last year's three-row Santa Fe is now called the Santa Fe XL. Got it? Great. Now the question is: How good is this new Santa Fe?
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 2.4 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
We like that the Santa Fe is a bit wider and longer than outgoing Santa Fe Sport. It's more spacious on the inside, an area where it already excelled. Hyundai also improved the look and feel of the cabin. For standard equipment, the new Santa Fe gets smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and Hyundai's attractive 7-inch touchscreen. What's more, safety features such as forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a drowsy driving warning system, and Hyundai's Safe Exit Assist — which will temporarily prevent your door from opening if a vehicle is approaching from behind — all come as standard.
Alas, one thing we weren't overly keen on the Sport is still hanging around: the standard 2.4-liter engine. Power output is unchanged at 185 horsepower, and fuel economy is lackluster. Hyundai has paired it to an eight-speed automatic transmission for 2019, though, rather than last year's six-speed. The change mildly increases fuel economy and should improve acceleration, too. Hyundai is also offering a more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder (235 hp).
Despite the probable confusion with its name change, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe has a lot of appeal. It's a well-equipped crossover with lots of modern tech and plenty of space for your family. If you're looking for a good value in the two-row crossover segment, it's a vehicle you'll want on your short list.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.8 / 10Trim tested
Scorecard
Overall | 7.8 / 10 |
Driving | 7.0 |
Comfort | 8.0 |
Interior | 8.0 |
Utility | 7.5 |
Technology | 8.0 |
Driving
7.0Acceleration
6.0Braking
8.0Steering
7.0Handling
7.0Drivability
6.0Comfort
8.0Seat comfort
8.5Ride comfort
7.0Noise & vibration
8.0Climate control
8.0Interior
8.0Ease of use
9.0Getting in/getting out
9.0Driving position
8.0Roominess
8.0Visibility
7.0Quality
8.0Utility
7.5Small-item storage
8.0Cargo space
7.5Child safety seat accommodation
7.0Towing
7.0Technology
8.0Audio & navigation
7.5Smartphone integration
8.0Driver aids
8.0Voice control
8.0Which Santa Fe does Edmunds recommend?
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe models
The 2019 Santa Fe is a five-passenger crossover, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and Ultimate. The SE and the SEL are reasonably well-equipped, while the SEL Plus and Limited add some useful convenience features. The Ultimate packs on the luxury-oriented features. For the most part, there are no significant options or packages to choose from.
All trim levels come with the base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 178 pound-feet of torque). The Limited and the Ultimate are available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (235 hp, 260 lb-ft). An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board, and any model can be specified with front- or all-wheel drive.
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
The base SE trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, air conditioning, LED daytime running lights, a rearview camera, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 7-inch display screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, four USB ports (two front and two rear) and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player. Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention warning to prevent drowsy driving, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and Hyundai's Safe Exit Assist, which will temporarily prevent your door from opening if a vehicle is approaching from behind.
Hyundai Santa Fe SEL
Along with the SE's standard equipment, the SEL gets foglights, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, an upgraded driver information display, Hyundai Blue Link services and satellite radio.
Hyundai Santa Fe SEL Plus
Next up on the trim-level ladder is the SEL Plus. On top of the SEL's equipment, it adds 18-inch wheels, a hands-free liftgate, roof rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, slide functionality for the rear seats, and a 12-speaker Infinity stereo system.
Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
For a few more creature comforts, there's the Limited trim level. Here you get LED exterior lighting (headlights, taillights, foglights), a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery and a power-adjustable passenger seat.
Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate
At the top of the heap is the Santa Fe Ultimate. It has everything on the Limited plus a top-down parking camera system, rear parking sensors, driver-seat memory settings, adjustable lumbar support for the driver, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, a driver head-up display, navigation and wireless smartphone charging.
On the Limited and Ultimate trim levels, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine option also comes with 19-inch wheels and a trailering package.




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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe from 2008-2022.for Average Midsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).for Average Midsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).for Average Midsize SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews
Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
All the bells and whistles at true value pricing!
5 out of 5 starsAfter 3 years still love my Santa Fe
5 out of 5 starsWowza
5 out of 5 stars2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate-First Impressions
5 out of 5 stars2019 Santa Fe Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $25,750 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $144/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 35.9 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Santa Fe models:
- Forward Collision Avoidance
- Alerts the driver about an imminent collision and can automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
- Safe Exit Assist
- Temporarily prevents you from opening your door if sensors detect a car approaching from the rear.
- Surround View Monitor
- Shows a top-down view of your SUV when you park, making it easier to avoid curbs and line up in the parking space.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 stars- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover15.5%
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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