Hyundai Santa Fe

Overview: Is the Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Car?

Debuting in 2001, the Santa Fe is a mainstay of Hyundai’s 21st-century offerings. It checks several boxes for compact crossover buyers: good value, room cabin, and many features. Older examples will look quite dated, while more Santa Fe generations are quite distinctive at best and inoffensive at worst. Earlier editions do have one advantage: V6 power, which is a thing of the past in most SUVs in this segment.

Note: Equipment, features, and trims can vary by model year. Always confirm these details when looking for used Hyundai Santa Fe cars for sale.

Find a Hyundai Santa Fe used for sale.

Key Features

The Hyundai Santa Fe has:

• Crossover SUV layout (four doors and a tailgate)
• Four- and six-cylinder power (varies by trim and year)
• Hybrid and plug-in hybrid options (newer generations)
• Manual or automatic transmission (varies by engine and year)
• Front- or all-wheel drive

Trims

Over more than two decades, Hyundai has used numerous letter groupings and names to label the Santa Fe’s trim range. Older generations usually started with the GLS as the entry-level edition, while the LX was one rung up the ladder. Later, the SE would occupy the mid-tier position as the Limited attained king-of-the-hill status. Newer Santa Fes start with the SE and offer one step up to the SEL. The trims are joined by the XRT (a more rugged-looking version) and the upscale Limited and range-topping Calligraphy.

Learn More: The Hyundai Santa Fe Years To Avoid

Comfort, Technology & Cargo

First- and second-row occupants will find that the Santa Fe offers more than adequate comfort (although the middle spot in the second row is not very generous). The Santa Fe offered third-row seating for 2013-2018 (also coming in the 2024 edition), spaces not overly accommodating for adults. Older-generation Santa Fes aren’t the most tech-heavy vehicles, but new versions come with (as optional or standard) all the latest bells and whistles, like touchscreens and advanced safety features. The Santa Fe provides a reasonable amount of cargo space, but it tends to be somewhat less than what’s offered in competing vehicles.

How It Drives

The Sante Fe will go from Point A to Point B without fanfare or complaint, just like most other crossovers in the class. Driving gets more interesting with a Hyundai Santa Fe engine that’s a V6 (pre-2019) or turbocharged.

Safety

Safety testing by NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) is hit or miss with the Santa Fe. There are no assessments for several years, while other years usually have a four- or five-star rating. However, some first-generation years get flagged for inadequate front-seat passenger protection, and the 2012 Santa Fe gets a low three-star overall safety rating.

Reviews

Hyundai Santa Fe reviews via Kelley Blue Book are favorable. Averaging all years, owners give this crossover a 4.6 (out of 5.0). Older examples are praised for value and reliability, while feedback is equally strong for the styling and comfort of more recent generations.

Related: How Long Do Hyundai Santa Fes Last? The Scoop on Vehicle Lifespan and Hyundai Santa Fe Towing Capacity: What to Know.

FAQS

Is the Tucson or Santa Fe bigger?

The Santa Fe sits higher in Hyundai’s model range, so it has a larger interior and exterior than the Tucson.

What are the different models of Hyundai Santa Fe?

In addition to the Santa Fe, Hyundai offered the Santa Fe Sport from 2013 to 2018. This two-row crossover sat alongside the regular Santa Fe, which featured three rows during this time.

Is Hyundai Santa Fe a 7 seater?

The Hyundai Santa Fe offered seven-passenger (three-row) seating from 2013 to 2018. In addition, the all-new fifth-generation Santa Fe (debuting in 2024) will have an option for a third row. The Hyundai Palisade is another seven-seat model.

Learn about Hyundai Santa Fe prices.