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2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

TheCarConnection.com’s car enthusiasts researched available road tests on the new Hyundai Santa Fe to produce this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com’s editors also drove the Hyundai Santa Fe to be able to give you an expert opinion, and to help you find the truth where other car reviews might differ.

Likes:

  • Inoffensive, smooth styling
  • Against-the-grain interior styling
  • Just-right sized (read: compact-only spaces!)
  • Spacious interior
  • Warranty

Dislikes:

  • Busier ride than most other crossovers
  • Steering wheel doesn’t telescope
  • Faux woodgrain won’t win friends

Buying Tips:


Don't forget to try it on. Bring your potential third-row riders--or those of similar size--along for your Santa Fe test drive. As with almost any other vehicle of this size that offers third-row seating, the rearmost seats are ridiculously small and afford almost no cargo space in back when they're up.

The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe is the poster child for everything that's right about Hyundai's newfound poise and near-perfection. For 2007 the Santa Fe grew appreciably, to a size that's now between compact and mid-size among carlike crossover SUVs, and gained standards of refinement and comfort that boosted it to near the top of many best-of lists. Two different V-6 engines provide power, whereas other competitors offer four-cylinder alternatives. For 2008, a navigation system joins the options list.

The torquey 3.3-liter engine and Shiftronic five-speed automatic in the upscale Limited and SE models is no drag-racer but shows refinement a class above the 2.7-liter engine and four-speed automatic in the GLS. The Santa Fe's driving feel is surprisingly capable and somewhat sporty compared to that of other crossovers, with a ride that's well controlled but on the firm side. The tightly put-together interior in the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe makes a refreshing design statement that breaks from Euro-worshipping, but disappoints up close with faux wood and cheap-looking plastics.

The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe could be called the valedictorian in its segment for safety; it got all the best safety features of its peers, such as standard electronic stability control and active head restraints, along with the highest ratings in the frontal and side crash tests from both the federal government and the insurance industry, and it's an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Hyundai's long 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty erases another type of worry, too.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, also consider:

Reason Why:

The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe lands in an interesting middle ground between more compact crossover SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, and mid-sizers such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The Santa Fe is easier to park than those mid-sizers while boasting a more settled ride on the highway than the compact competition--though beware that the firm suspension is choppier than the norm on rough city streets. The Santa Fe's third-row seat feels bigger than the one offered in the RAV4 and works in a pinch for kids.

The Bottom Line:

Hyundai is no longer bargain-basement-priced, but the hard-to-fault 2008 Santa Fe has all the refinement of comparable rivals with a little more flair.

TheCarConnection.com’s car enthusiasts researched available road tests on the new Hyundai Santa Fe to produce this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com’s editors also drove the Hyundai Santa Fe to be able to give you an expert opinion, and to help you find the truth where other car reviews might differ. Likes:Inoffensive, smooth stylingAgainst-the-grain interior stylingJust-right sized (read: compact-only spaces!)Spacious interiorWarrantyDislikes:Busier ride than most other crossoversSteering wheel doesn’t telescopeFaux woodgrain won’t win friendsBuying Tips: Don't forget to try it on. Bring your potential third-row riders--or those of similar size--along for your Santa Fe test drive. As with almost any other vehicle of this size that offers third-row seating, the rearmost seats are ridiculously small and afford almost no cargo space in back when they're up. The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe is the poster child for everything that's right about Hyundai's newfound poise and near-perfection. For 2007 the Santa Fe grew appreciably, to a size that's now between compact and mid-size among carlike crossover SUVs, and gained standards of refinement and comfort that boosted it to near the top of many best-of lists. Two different V-6 engines provide power, whereas other competitors offer four-cylinder alternatives. For 2008, a navigation system joins the options list. The torquey 3.3-liter engine and Shiftronic five-speed automatic in the upscale Limited and SE models is no drag-racer but shows refinement a class above the 2.7-liter engine and four-speed automatic in the GLS. The Santa Fe's driving feel is surprisingly capable and somewhat sporty compared to that of other crossovers, with a ride that's well controlled but on the firm side. The tightly put-together interior in the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe makes a refreshing design statement that breaks from Euro-worshipping, but disappoints up close with faux wood and cheap-looking plastics. The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe could be called the valedictorian in its segment for safety; it got all the best safety features of its peers, such as standard electronic stability control and active head restraints, along with the highest ratings in the frontal and side crash tests from both the federal government and the insurance industry, and it's an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Hyundai's long 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty erases another type of worry, too. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, also consider:Honda PilotSaturn VueToyota RAV4Toyota HighlanderReason Why:The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe lands in an interesting middle ground between more compact crossover SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, and mid-sizers such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The Santa Fe is easier to park than those mid-sizers while boasting a more settled ride on the highway than the compact competition--though beware that the firm suspension is choppier than the norm on rough city streets. The Santa Fe's third-row seat feels bigger than the one offered in the RAV4 and works in a pinch for kids. The Bottom Line:Hyundai is no longer bargain-basement-priced, but the hard-to-fault 2008 Santa Fe has all the refinement of comparable rivals with a little more flair. TheCarConnection.com’s car enthusiasts researched available road tests on the new Hyundai Santa Fe to produce this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com’s editors also drove the Hyundai Santa Fe to be able to give you an expert opinion, and to help you find the truth where other car ...

Other Choices:

The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe lands in an interesting middle ground between more compact crossover SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, and mid-sizers such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. The Santa Fe is easier to park than those mid-sizers while boasting a more settled ride on the highway than the compact competition--though beware that the firm suspension is choppier than the norm on rough city streets. The Santa Fe's third-row seat feels bigger than the one offered in the RAV4 and works in a pinch for kids.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe near you

See the Hyundai Santa Fe in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Cat K #1, Posted: 5/15/2009

    Don't buy a Santa Fe

    If the dealership closes like mine did those "cheap" oil changes and the great warranty are no good. My next "closest" dealer is 2 hrs away. My NEW car already has been in 1X with an electrical prob and now it has died. The engine light and ESC light came on and then it gave up on the hwy. The window squeaks and the sun roof leaks. Look for another make!!!! For this price u can get something better.

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