2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - Much better than most cars I have driven.
The pros of owning the Hyundai Santa Fe are numerous. It rides incredibly smooth and at 50,000 shows virtually no wear-and-tear. The audio system is incredible, with the speakers being able to balance bass and treble well. The volume also makes it so no one ever has a hard time hearing the music. Seat warmers in the front seats are also a plus, especially in the cold winter months. One negative would be the trunk space. For a truck so big, the trunk is surprisingly shallow. This is not a problem for me necessarily, but for someone who carries around a lot of equipment and needs storage space it might be. Equally concerning is the gas mileage on the car. Even on "eco" settings it only gets about 24-27 miles per gallon. While this is good compared to other trucks and SUVs, my 2000 Honda ... (more)
The pros of owning the Hyundai Santa Fe are numerous. It rides incredibly smooth and at 50,000 shows virtually no wear-and-tear. The audio system is incredible, with the speakers being able to balance bass and treble well. The volume also makes it so no one ever has a hard time hearing the music. Seat warmers in the front seats are also a plus, especially in the cold winter months. One negative would be the trunk space. For a truck so big, the trunk is surprisingly shallow. This is not a problem for me necessarily, but for someone who carries around a lot of equipment and needs storage space it might be. Equally concerning is the gas mileage on the car. Even on "eco" settings it only gets about 24-27 miles per gallon. While this is good compared to other trucks and SUVs, my 2000 Honda CR-V got about the same gas mileage, and I was hoping for more out of the new car. Lastly, the car handles the road well, but the steering wheel is a bit "loose." I do not know if that is the proper term, but it is really the only way to describe it. Another term may be increased wheel sensitivity. Basically, even the slightest movement of the wheel turns the car more than I would anticipate.
One memorable story is when me and my friends went to a music festival and did car camping. Essentially you pitch a tent over the trunk of your car and can use it to camp, and save on a number off traditional camping expenses. The car was roomy enough to fit us all, and made for a good refuge when the rain came.
One memorable story is when me and my friends went to a music festival and did car camping. Essentially you pitch a tent over the trunk of your car and can use it to camp, and save on a number off traditional camping expenses. The car was roomy enough to fit us all, and made for a good refuge when the rain came.
My favorite thing about the vehicle has to be how smooth the ride is. I didn't realize how smooth a car should drive until I got the Santa Fe. It handles the road incredibly well, especially at higher speeds. I make numerous long distance trips per year, and the smoothness of the ride really helps pass the time. Equally important on those long rides is the stereo. The car has both a USB charging input, through which you can play music, and an auxiliary cord jack. This makes it very easy to simply plug your phone in and listen to music as you go. The stereo itself is impressive, with a deep... (more)
My favorite thing about the vehicle has to be how smooth the ride is. I didn't realize how smooth a car should drive until I got the Santa Fe. It handles the road incredibly well, especially at higher speeds. I make numerous long distance trips per year, and the smoothness of the ride really helps pass the time. Equally important on those long rides is the stereo. The car has both a USB charging input, through which you can play music, and an auxiliary cord jack. This makes it very easy to simply plug your phone in and listen to music as you go. The stereo itself is impressive, with a deep bass, and nice balance between front and rear stereos. Most impressive is how the car shows virtually no wear-and-tear, despite having over 50,000 miles on it. It is a low-maintenance vehicle that provides excellent quality. I also enjoy the eco feature, which allows for me to save gas on city roads, where I do not need all the pep the engine provides. This feature makes the car cheaper to drive, by decreasing fuel costs.
The negative things about the car are the trunk space and the fuel economy. While "eco drive" is a nice setting it only does so much. On the highway the car gets around 25 miles per gallon on average, give or take two to three miles. While this may be considered quality for a larger SUV, it is nearly identical to the fuel economy of my old car, a 2000 Honda CR-V. I was hoping the newer cars would be a bit more economically efficient gas-wise. In the city the problem is even worse, as the car gets less than 20 miles per gallon in the city on average. This is largely due to the fact that the... (more)
The negative things about the car are the trunk space and the fuel economy. While "eco drive" is a nice setting it only does so much. On the highway the car gets around 25 miles per gallon on average, give or take two to three miles. While this may be considered quality for a larger SUV, it is nearly identical to the fuel economy of my old car, a 2000 Honda CR-V. I was hoping the newer cars would be a bit more economically efficient gas-wise. In the city the problem is even worse, as the car gets less than 20 miles per gallon in the city on average. This is largely due to the fact that the car burns gas at a prodigious rate when idling. It is probably one of the least fuel efficient cars when in park, burning as much gas as if I were doing 80 mph on the highway. The trunk space is the only other problem. Though it is not a big deal for me, I can see it being one for someone who carries around a lot of equipment, or someone who often travels with luggage. Relative to the size of the car there is not much space to store and transport things. Outside of these two issues there are no real cons to owning this car.
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - The Sport's greeting point is an attractive shape that looks modern, and grown-up. its sharp edges and tight creases wrap around the glassy wagon body in interesting ways, and the grille presents a handsome hexagonal face.
The interior is another bar raised for Hyundai, with a shield of controls surrounded by the usual swoops and fluid curves. It's all trimmed in two-tone materials, an upscale touch that looks better when it's capped in glossy trim than in faux wood. The Santa Fe and Sport have the usual airbags (including a driver knee airbag) and stability control. Bluetooth is standard and a rearview camera is an option on all but the base model. Blind-spot monitors and parking sensors were new options are available. The Sport makes the usual Hyundai case for value. It gets power windows, locks, and mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering; steering-wheel audio and phone controls; and 17-inch wheels. Daytime running lights and an auto up/down front passenger window are now ... (more)
The interior is another bar raised for Hyundai, with a shield of controls surrounded by the usual swoops and fluid curves. It's all trimmed in two-tone materials, an upscale touch that looks better when it's capped in glossy trim than in faux wood. The Santa Fe and Sport have the usual airbags (including a driver knee airbag) and stability control. Bluetooth is standard and a rearview camera is an option on all but the base model. Blind-spot monitors and parking sensors were new options are available. The Sport makes the usual Hyundai case for value. It gets power windows, locks, and mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering; steering-wheel audio and phone controls; and 17-inch wheels. Daytime running lights and an auto up/down front passenger window are now standard across the lineup. The standard audio system is an AM/FM/CD player with satellite radio, USB and auxiliary ports, Bluetooth with audio streaming, and six speakers. A panoramic sunroof, Infinity audio, a hands-free tailgate, and an improved navigation system lift the Santa Fe Sport to a higher price plateau.
My 2015 saved us during a massive accident. An 85 year old man had his second accident of the day by pulling across out multilane divided highway at just the wrong time. We hit him at something less than the 60 mph limit and both my wife and I walked away from our totaled Santa Fe. The airbags worked so well that I didn't even have bruise marks from my glasses. The only downside is that Hyunda... (more)
My 2015 saved us during a massive accident. An 85 year old man had his second accident of the day by pulling across out multilane divided highway at just the wrong time. We hit him at something less than the 60 mph limit and both my wife and I walked away from our totaled Santa Fe. The airbags worked so well that I didn't even have bruise marks from my glasses. The only downside is that Hyundai, and everybody else, I suppose, puts the horn button on top of the steering wheel airbag. I wonder how many other people suffer my injury: my hand-on-the-horn got blown back into my chest. It took almost two months for the pain to fully subside, and another month for my hand to regain most of its strength. Tow rating was important to me. If you buy the PIO (port installed option) trailer hitch package, the Santa Fe Limited (and SE) have a 5000 lb tow rating. According to the owner's manual, even with an aftermarket hitch it is only rated for 2000 lbs. After the accident, even though the force of our connected travel trailer impact bent the "stinger" 90 degrees into the bumper, but the Hyundai hitch structure seemed undamaged. The impact was so severe that even the trailer was totaled. After the accident we had time to reflect on a replacement car. We felt so well protected by the car and had enjoyed all the features of the Ultimate package that we got the identical car in the 2016. Right away, both of us independently thought the 2016 was substantially quieter; I think they've added insulation and maybe fine tuned the suspension. I've seen a lot of negative comment about the third row seating. With the SE bench seat it might be a problem, but with the Limited's captains chairs it isn't much of a deal to get into the third row. Just for grins, my wife and I let our daughter and her 6' 5" husband drive and we rode in the third row for a six hour day trip. Grandsons in the middle. We're both 70 y/o and it was perfectly comfortable. Having the panoramic sun roof almost reach the third row makes it much nicer. My biggest complaint is that Hyundai hasn't incorporated Apple's Car play into the display system. The existing navigation system is nice, but not as good as Google Maps or Apple Maps, plus I have to pay an annual $50 fee to Sirius just to get traffic information incorporated into the navigation system. Car play was supposed to begin showing up in another Hyundai model in 2015 so I figured the 2016 would definitely have it: Wrong! The Blue Link "turn by turn guidance", which is $100/ year is not compatible with the navigation system.
Less cargo capacity than some competitors; missing some key driver safety aids. Strong V6 engine; lengthy warranty; generous standard features for the money; classy interior design; easy-to-use technology interface. it is Style, comfort, and affordability. This is my first SUV, but searched the market place comparing it to other SUVs with options, price, dependability, and warranty. The Santa Fe had them beat. The 3rd seat is really for the grand kids. The V-6 has plenty of power for expressway entry and for passing. I have heated seats and wanted air cooled seats, but Hyundai has them wit... (more)
Less cargo capacity than some competitors; missing some key driver safety aids. Strong V6 engine; lengthy warranty; generous standard features for the money; classy interior design; easy-to-use technology interface. it is Style, comfort, and affordability. This is my first SUV, but searched the market place comparing it to other SUVs with options, price, dependability, and warranty. The Santa Fe had them beat. The 3rd seat is really for the grand kids. The V-6 has plenty of power for expressway entry and for passing. I have heated seats and wanted air cooled seats, but Hyundai has them with an additional package including a Panoramic Roof which I didn't want or need. I wish they bundle the heated/ cooled together. I took a road trip and put on 5,000 miles (averaging 26mph could be better) with no problem. During the trip stopped in El Paso Texas for an oil change. The dealer treated me very well like I was a local resident. They knew I was from another state, but that didn't matter. Hyundai has a good thing going for themselves. Time will tell how well they back their warranties.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has been improved with new features. Heavy weight and truck is extremely small.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has been improved with new features. Heavy weight and truck is extremely small.
2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport - I have been pleased
I have owned this car for over 5 years and have really enjoyed it. I love having the feel of an SUV and sport vehicle, without the high gas prices that go along with it. I also really enjoy the overall look of the car and how large it is, as I have to drive children around very frequently. The interior of the car is very nice and has wood trim throughout and cream seats. The stereo system is not as advanced as what is available on the market today, as it is a 2009, but it does have a cod player and the capability to connect iphones, iPods or things of the like to listen to in the car. This car is currently at over 100,000 miles and I have never had any serious issues of any kind with it, except for the gas tank lever malfunctioning. Apparently, this model of car is known for having and... (more)
I have owned this car for over 5 years and have really enjoyed it. I love having the feel of an SUV and sport vehicle, without the high gas prices that go along with it. I also really enjoy the overall look of the car and how large it is, as I have to drive children around very frequently. The interior of the car is very nice and has wood trim throughout and cream seats. The stereo system is not as advanced as what is available on the market today, as it is a 2009, but it does have a cod player and the capability to connect iphones, iPods or things of the like to listen to in the car. This car is currently at over 100,000 miles and I have never had any serious issues of any kind with it, except for the gas tank lever malfunctioning. Apparently, this model of car is known for having and issue with the gas lever function and malfunctions in regard to the wiring typically at some point during the usage of the vehicle. Outside of that issue, I have really never had to have anything repaired on the car or replaced yet and never had to use the 100,000 warranty that all Hyundai's automatically come with when you buy them brand new.
I love taking rides from where I live just a little bit north up the mountains. It's a beautiful drive and a way that I really enjoy utilizing my car.
I love taking rides from where I live just a little bit north up the mountains. It's a beautiful drive and a way that I really enjoy utilizing my car.
The pros of this vehicle are that, I have had it for over 100,000 miles now and I have only had to perform basic maintenance so far outside of an issue with the gas lever function on the inside of the car which has malfunctioned. I have never had to use the warranty that comes with all Hyundai's on their engine during their 100,000 mile warranty, as no issue has ever occurred. I believe that these cars are made quite well and are much less expensive than other cars on the market that are comparable in terms of quality and performance and how long you can expect the car to perform as long a... (more)
The pros of this vehicle are that, I have had it for over 100,000 miles now and I have only had to perform basic maintenance so far outside of an issue with the gas lever function on the inside of the car which has malfunctioned. I have never had to use the warranty that comes with all Hyundai's on their engine during their 100,000 mile warranty, as no issue has ever occurred. I believe that these cars are made quite well and are much less expensive than other cars on the market that are comparable in terms of quality and performance and how long you can expect the car to perform as long as you service it when needed. I also really enjoy the gas mileage and the fact that I feel as though I am in an SUV, but do not have to pay the typical prices that correspond with owning an SUV. My favorite features of the vehicle are just the overall look of the exterior, as I just find it pleasant to look at, and I also really enjoy the interior as it has wood paneling and is quite sleek and modern and very spacious inside. I frequently go to Costco/buy plants/carry kids around, and I always have room for these things, and even sometimes have room for all of them at the same time!
The cons of this vehicle are not too many or too extreme. My only real issue with this vehicle, is that, the wiring seems to malfunction in regard to the inside panel which informs you of how much gas is in your vehicle or if your check engine light is on, sometimes that is just a misfire and it is on for no reason. In regard to the gas light, the issue with that is that, when you fill up the tank, it will tell you that the gas tank is still empty, and this, I have read, is a very common issue for the make and model of this car and costs about seven hundred bucks to fix. I have also read o... (more)
The cons of this vehicle are not too many or too extreme. My only real issue with this vehicle, is that, the wiring seems to malfunction in regard to the inside panel which informs you of how much gas is in your vehicle or if your check engine light is on, sometimes that is just a misfire and it is on for no reason. In regard to the gas light, the issue with that is that, when you fill up the tank, it will tell you that the gas tank is still empty, and this, I have read, is a very common issue for the make and model of this car and costs about seven hundred bucks to fix. I have also read online from those who have had it fixed, that it broke again just a few months after it was repaired, so, this is a rather annoying issue and you have to remain very conscious of how much gas you actually have in the car, otherwise you could run out of gas while driving (which happened to me once). The only other issue I have with this car, is that, it does have cream colored interior, but it is not leather, so when it stains, it is extremely visible and can cause the car to look quite dirty if you do not stay on top of keeping it clean and vacuumed well inside.
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