Used 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.4 SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.4 SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
All the bells and whistles at true value pricing!
Nestaway, Kenner, LA, 09/26/2018
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.4 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 8A)
Check out the Ultimate's safety features, the heads up display is absolutely a BIG help, always know the speed limit and how fast you are going without taking your eyes off the road! The 8" navigation display is a plus also and a breeze to use with voice command . This car has so many helpful comfort & safety features, air cooled seats....too many to list. And for the PRICE, it's … phenomenal to say the least! The one thing that takes some getting used to is when I have the Auto Stop engaged, that engine stopping was scary at first, but I've learned to appreciate it and when to disengage like in heavy city traffic. After nearly a month, I'm still learning about some of the features. The interior is very comfortable and I find the headrests to be more ergonomically supportive than my previous vehicle which was a Toyota Sienna. Downsizing, our choice was made easy by the Santa Fe in that it is larger than the compacts but not as large as some of the looming mid sized. We had owned a Santa Fe before with excellent no worry service for 5 years. Oh, and the factory warranty 5 years 60,000 miles BUMPER to BUMPER saves peace of mind and money not needing to get an extended warranty on those measly 3 year/36,000 typical offerings from most other manufacturers.
Compared SUVs and choose this one and very pleased
frednj, Englishtown, NJ, 03/10/2019
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.4 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 8A)
Redesigned so has all the improvements and more than the other brands.. Great ride smooth transmission and enough pickup with the non-turbo.. Do not recommend turbo as tuneups and oil changes are more frequent and you get enough pick up with the non turbo.. Info screen on dash (map / radio) one of the easiest to use and the sharpest... Handles great and no complaints... The tiny … comparisons among the other brands do not make a difference in the whole picture of this car... Remember you get the best warranty of 5 years bumper to bumper so you can keep this car for 5 years without any concerns of expensive repairs ..
ONE YEAR LATER still love this car few hiccups as it needed some repairs dealer was great, loaner car, so no issues . Great smooth riding car and gas millage average for this size car.. YES WOULD BUY IT AGAIN
2 years later no issues love this car
2.5 years later no issues car rides great.. bigger than rogue smaller than highlander perfect size
First Hyundai car, opinions changed, now a fan!
TWynn, Manassas, VA, 04/19/2019
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.4 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 8A)
I had never owned a Hyundai/Kia car prior to my 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe’s purchase. Nobody I knew had owned a Korean car to ask for opinions. After months of reading, viewing videos and test drives, I have come to the decision to purchase the first Hyundai vehicle. In this day and age, not taking enough time to do research is a missed opportunity for car buyers. As I had taken my time, … I got better ideas what I would like to have in my next car and cross-shopped for the car I wanted. I kept an eye on the prices for a while, negotiated for price matches, and then pulled the trigger when best offers are available. Also through my research, my branding sentiments for Hyundai and Kia was also changed. Potential buyers should be able to find lots of information about good value and quality in Korean cars in the last 5-10 years. Don’t just read experts’ reviews, I have valued lots of average users’ reviews. I am aware of the current recalls (engine fire), which I am not too concerned about in the newest 2019 models. In general, there are a lot more positive reviews from Hyundai/Kia car owners than I had expected.
For the new 2019 Santa Fe, I love the new exterior design and the interior’s modern layout. It feels spacious on the inside, specially second row seats. The all functions are so easy to use and they just work. Fit-and-finish is excellent. Good choice of materials using on the inside show good overall quality for the vehicle. All premium features (Ultimate trim) you can only find in the high-end cars, on top of the standard safety features. Best warranty in the industry. IIHS & NHTSA crash tests are highly rated. 3-yr BlueLink Remote Service is a plus. I find this car more suitable for family people like me on daily commute, occasional road/camping trips. It depends on your priorities, but I like the practicality and active safety features in this car. I am also very impressed on how comfortable and quiet this Santa Fe handles on the roads. My Ultimate trim is equipped with all LED lamps. These help illuminate the roads better at night and also look more upscale. For engine performance, I wished they would have added a few more horses for the naturally aspirated engine option or V6 for some more towing capacity. For what it is, I still think it’s adequate for most of my normal driving. I guess Hyundai has chosen practicality, utility and comfortability over performance.
Like other high tech industries, auto industry is changing fast too. The race to earn more market share is more competitive than ever, especially in the SUV segments (wait until Chinese cars can join this party). I’ve known Hyundai quality have improved greatly in the last 20 years. But when it comes to purchasing one, people tend to go back to their trusted older brands. It’s a safe choice for a big purchase, I understand that. Nevertheless, I think Hyundai and Kia are doing the right things. They obviously try harder to win you over. Bottom line is, I initially chose the 2019 Santa Fe over other popular choices (Highlander, Pilot, Murano, Outback etc.) because of the best value for what I can get. Judging from the experience so far, I am quite happy with the decision. My perception is now changed positively about the brand. Hopefully, my long-term ownership of the car is also positive. Just a personal experience on how I changed and became a new Hyundai car owner.
Update: 1 1/2 year later, I am still enjoying the car very much. Went on a 2-week road trip without issues whatsoever. A very happy owner!
2019 Ultimate is indeed the best SUV on the market
Glenn Winkey, Spokane, WA, 04/23/2019
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.4 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 8A)
We are so impressed with the overall quality of the interior. It matches anything on the market for material touch and feel, and every knob or lever works with the exact tactile feel you would expect of a car costing much, much more.
The 2.4 is admittedly......adequate. The turbo just was not our cup of tea, and did not feel that much quicker than the 2.4. I think we made the right … choice, as we just got 33.5 mpg over a hilly two lane road trip at 67 mph!!
The exterior is just plain beautifully rendered. The smoothness of the paint beats anything else we compared it to when shopping. We love it and look forward to many years of ownership and driving this SUV that puts a smile on your face every time you walk toward it, and seat yourself behind the wheel. Even the pleasant welcoming chimes make me smile.....if any of you are considering a compact SUV, go ahead and shop them all......but don’t even consider buying one until you look at and drive the new Santa Fe....
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 2.4 SUV
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
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Abundant standard features for the money
- Pro:High-quality interior materials
- Pro:Generous warranty coverage
- Pro:Several standard and optional active safety features
- Con:Base 2.4-liter engine's power and mpg are subpar
- Con:Rear side view is blocked by wide roof pillars
- Con:Sharp bumps can transmit harshness and road noise into the cabin
Which Santa Fe does Edmunds recommend?
Most Santa Fe shoppers should be pleased with midlevel Santa Fe SEL Plus. Much like the base SE and the SEL, the SEL Plus comes with a nice set of convenience and safety features. Yet it also gets useful extras such as a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone climate control and an upgraded 12-speaker stereo system. We're not fond of the base 2.4-liter engine, but replacing it with the upgraded 2.0-liter turbocharged engine requires stepping up to the Limited or Ultimate trim level.
Full Edmunds Review: 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV
byTravis Langness
Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.
Driving
7.0With the 185-hp engine, the Santa Fe's acceleration is slightly below average, and the transmission is slow to shift. However, its taut suspension and excellent brakes let it handle and stop more like a sedan than a crossover.
Comfort
8.0With comfortable cloth seats and an available sliding-and-reclining second row, the Santa Fe is a flexible platform for passengers or cargo. The ride is quiet and the engine note won't interrupt any conversations. The taut suspension is jarring on bumpy or broken surfaces.
Interior
8.0The Santa Fe's strongest attribute is its interior. No matter what version you get, you'll find it comfortable, quiet and stylish. It's easy to get in and out of, and drivers and passengers alike will find it roomy.
Utility
7.5Despite the Santa Fe's roomy and well-thought-out interior, cargo volume is solidly in the middle of the pack in this segment. The SEL Plus' sliding and reclining second row improves cargo and passenger flexibility and is a must-have for this crossover.
Technology
8.0Hyundai's standard 7-inch infotainment system is easy to read and use. Key functions are readily accessible on the main page, and the icons are well-sized and -spaced to avoid a cluttered look. The menu structure is also intuitive and not very deep, making it easier when you have to hunt through it.
Jump to:Related 2019 Santa Fe articles
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe in Ohio is:
$53.42 per month*Legal