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2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Review

July 14, 2008

SAFETY | 10 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

loaded with safety features
Cars.com

Top Safety Pick, an award given to only 21 new vehicles
MyRide.com

the Santa Fe delivers on safety
MyRide.com

Experts from TheCarConnection.com found the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe tops the charts when it comes to safety.

Jalopnik's headline reads, "Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [IIHS] Announces Top Safety Pick Awards for 2008." With the Santa Fe, Hyundai has one of only 21 cars included on that list. Jalopnik notes the IIHS "added a crash prevention criterion last year," which requires vehicles to be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC). Jalopnik goes on to recount that "ESC can help drivers maintain control during emergency maneuvers." Cars.com notes that inside the Santa Fe, Hyundai’s “safety features include electronic stability control" as standard, not as an option.

USAToday relays that the NHTSA says stability control "will save 5,300 to 10,300 lives a year when it is on all vehicles" and that its "biggest benefit is its ability to prevent many rollover crashes." USAToday goes on to say, "Hyundai...is one of few automakers to offer it as standard equipment on a low-priced car."

According to Cars.com, the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe's standard safety equipment includes "six airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, active front head restraints and a tire pressure monitoring system." Cars.com adds that in the Santa Fe, Hyundai installs "side-curtain airbags for all three rows of seats."

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. The IIHS’s Top Safety Pick award also is applied to the Santa Fe. Hyundai's long 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty erases another type of worry, too.

Conclusion

The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe is one safe car.

SAFETY | 10 out of 10Expert Quotes:loaded with safety featuresCars.comTop Safety Pick, an award given to only 21 new vehiclesMyRide.comthe Santa Fe delivers on safetyMyRide.com Experts from TheCarConnection.com found the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe tops the charts when it comes to safety. Jalopnik's headline reads, "Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [IIHS] Announces Top Safety Pick Awards for 2008." With the Santa Fe, Hyundai has one of only 21 cars included on that list. Jalopnik notes the IIHS "added a crash prevention criterion last year," which requires vehicles to be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC). Jalopnik goes on to recount that "ESC can help drivers maintain control during emergency maneuvers." Cars.com notes that inside the Santa Fe, Hyundai’s “safety features include electronic stability control" as standard, not as an option. USAToday relays that the NHTSA says stability control "will save 5,300 to 10,300 lives a year when it is on all vehicles" and that its "biggest benefit is its ability to prevent many rollover crashes." USAToday goes on to say, "Hyundai...is one of few automakers to offer it as standard equipment on a low-priced car." According to Cars.com, the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe's standard safety equipment includes "six airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, active front head restraints and a tire pressure monitoring system." Cars.com adds that in the Santa Fe, Hyundai installs "side-curtain airbags for all three rows of seats." 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. The IIHS’s Top Safety Pick award also is applied to the Santa Fe. Hyundai's long 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty erases another type of worry, too. ConclusionThe 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe is one safe car. 2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STYLING | [8 out of 10] Automobile.com: "does a pretty good job of looking expensive" Cars.com: "well-built, affordable, stylish, and easy on gas" MyRide.com: "looks fresh, shapely and attractive" Reviewers across the board appreciated the 2008 Hyundai Santa ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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:

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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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