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Hyundai Santa Fe

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Hyundai Santa Fe Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior, Specs & News

Hyundai's Santa Fe debuted in the early 2000s, and it's evolved from a larger mid-sized SUV competitor against the Honda CR-V to a smaller large SUV with three-row, seven-seater capability over successive generations. The Toyota Kluger is the main rival.

Today, the Santa Fe sits underneath the slightly-bigger but closely related flagship Palisade SUV, offering the choice of V6 petrol or four-cylinder turbo-diesel power. Front and all-wheel drive are also available. The cheapest grade starts from $46,050, rising to $69,550 for the most expensive version.

Hyundai Santa Fe Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Hyundai Santa Fe here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • What's a good hybrid car to buy?

    The default purchase for somebody looking for a mid-sized hybrid SUV is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. But if that’s too big, there’s the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, C-HR Hybrid and even the Corolla Cross Hybrid which sounds like the marketplace is getting crowded but is really just a reflection of the appetite right now for cars like these. And that’s the catch; the waiting times for a brand-new example of some of these cars is out to many months and even years. So your plan to shop second-hand makes plenty of sense, but don’t expect any bargains in a market currently being dominated by lots of demand and less supply.

    Beyond the Toyota brand (which has been doing hybrids longer than just about anybody else) there’s also the Mazda CX-30, Subaru XV Hybrid, Haval Jolion Hybrid, Kia Niro, Subaru Forester Hybrid, Nissan Qashqai e-Power, MG HS, Honda HR-V e and more. For something a bit bigger, try the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe hybrids. There are others out there, too, that are probably bigger or more expensive than you need, but it's very much a growing scene in the Australian marketplace.

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  • I am looking for an auto transmission wagon or SUV, that tows at least 1500kg and does not have a CVT.

    While the CVT is enjoying a bit of a purple patch right now with many car-makers using it for its efficiency benefits, you’re not the only one, Gregg, that doesn’t want to own such a thing. The CVT’s history is littered with failures, although to be perfectly fair, they are a lot better now than they’ve ever been.

    But even if you can accept their reliability track record, some owners will just never take to the CVT’s characteristics of allowing the engine to rev up and have the rest of the vehicle catch up. It can feel very alien and it’s hardly a sporty sensation, either.

    With all that in mind, you probably should start looking at things like the two-wheel-drive versions of something like, say, the Toyota Kluger or Hyundai Santa Fe. Both are available in two-wheel-drive, both have conventional 8-speed automatic transmissions and both can haul a decent load (2000kg and 2500kg respectively). The Toyota even offers a hybrid driveline, but, sadly for buyers like you, that uses a CVT transmission.

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  • My 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe has a transmission fault, what should I do?

    I definitely agree that 60,000km is pathetically short for the lifespan of a modern transmission. And if, indeed, the transmission has failed or is showing dramatic wear in that distance, I’d be asking Hyundai to help out with the cost of repairs. Even though the vehicle is out of warranty (by only about a year it would seem) the low kilometres and full factory service history might give Hyundai cause to come to the party on a pro rata basis.

    Meantime, don’t hit the panic button yet. The fault could be a much simpler one than you might be imagining and could be something quick and easy to fix. The problem could be as simple as low transmission-fluid level. If the quoted cost to examine the transmission is putting you off, try an independent transmission specialist who should be more than familiar with this unit.

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  • Why is my 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe unresponsive when I press the accelerator?

    There’s no point giving an engine a double-dose of whatever the manufacturer recommends as the correct amount. And that applies to everything from injector cleaner to windscreen washer fluid. It’s also true that these injector cleaners will sometimes work if the problem is a simple case of a build-up of dirt and gunk that shouldn’t be on the injector, but if the problem is an actual worn injector or some other problem, then all the cleaner in the world won’t help. You’ve asked if the condition might improve with time, and in the case of a dirty injector that is gradually cleaned by these products, then the answer is maybe.

    The fact that your engine runs perfectly once warmed up is the interesting part. That suggests that there’s something going on when the engine is first started. Does it start easily? If not, the glow-plugs (which pre-heat the combustion chamber on a diesel) could be malfunctioning. I’d also be checking the fuel delivery pressure as these modern, common-rail diesel engines use very high fuel pressure to work properly. If the injectors aren’t getting the correct pressure from the moment you hit the key, they can run very poorly. That would then lead me to check for a dirty fuel filter and perhaps even the condition of the pump and its regulator. You might even find the problem is related to the turbocharger or even the throttle-by-wire system that is having a temperature-related hissy-fit.

    The first thing to do now would be to have the vehicle scanned and, in particular, look out for fault code P0401. This will be logged as a problem with the EGR system, but is often caused by carbon build-up in the engine rather than a problem with the actual EGR valve. This fault code can also be associated with loose turbocharger plumbing which can lead to boost leaks and the sort of sluggish behaviour you’ve noted. Either way, it’s a good clue about where to look. It’s also worth noting that Hyundai was aware of a problem with the engine fuel-filter fitted to engines built around the time of your car. A change of the filter cartridge was a simple fix, so make sure that’s been done on your car. A Hyundai dealership will be able to check if your car was affected and whether it’s been fitted with the new filter.

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See All Hyundai Santa Fe Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Hyundai Santa Fe Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Hyundai Santa Fe varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $46,050 and going to $69,550 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2024 SUV 3.5L, —, 8 SP AUTO $46,050 $69,550
2023 SUV 3.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $40,810 $74,910
2022 SUV 3.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $41,140 $74,800
2021 SUV 3.5L, ULP, 8 SP AUTO $39,160 $70,840
2020 SUV 2.4L, ULP, 6 SP AUTO $68,200
See All Hyundai Santa Fe Pricing and Specs

Hyundai Santa Fe Towing Capacity

The Hyundai Santa Fe has maximum towing capacity of 2500kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2024 SUV 1650kg 2500kg
2023 SUV 1650kg 2500kg
2022 SUV 1650kg 2500kg
2021 SUV 2000kg 2500kg
2020 SUV 2000kg 2500kg
See All Towing Capacity for Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe Seats

All Santa Fe models come with seven seats. The Santa Fe is appointed with black cloth, while both the Active and Elite enjoy synthetic leather seats. The Highlander model is upgraded to Nappa leather. Both the Santa Fe and Active front seats are manually adjusted, while the Elite model’s driver’s seats have a 10-way power adjustment with 2-way lumbar support. Highlander’s driver’s seat has a 14-waypower adjustment with 4-way lumbar support and knee cushion. Only on the two top grades is the front passengers seat electric.

Heated front seats are standard on the two top models, while the Highlander also enjoys ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats in the middle row.

The middle row seats have ISOFIX mounts on the outboard seats and three top tether child seat mounts. The middle row has a 60/40 spit fold and lay flat when folded. The third row has a 50/50 split fold.

Hyundai Santa Fe Colours

The Santa Fe has four standard colours – ‘White Cream’, ‘Lagoon Blue’, ‘Typhoon Silver’, and ‘Abyss Black’. The Active model has an additional colour – ‘Magnetic Force’. The Elite and Highlander models has an additional two colours – ‘Taiga Brown’, and ‘Rainforest’.

  • White Cream
  • Lagoon Blue
  • Typhoon Silver
  • Abyss Black
  • Magnetic Force
  • Taiga Brown
  • Rainforest
To confirm current colour availability, please check the manufacturer's website.

Hyundai Santa Fe Interior

The Hyundai Santa Fe’s dashboard is headlined by an 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system and a 4.2-inch instrument cluster on both the Santa Fe and Active models but they are upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch instrument cluster on the Elite and Highlander models. Only the Highlander model enjoys a head-up display.

The Highlander model comes with a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel and adjustable ambient lighting.

Hyundai Santa Fe Interior

Hyundai Santa Fe Accessories

Standard equipment in the Santa Fe: 4.2-inch digital instrument panel, 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 17-inch alloy wheels, full-size spare tyre, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto reversing camera with rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging pad, 5 x USB port, 2 x 12-volt ports, LED lights, keyless entry and push button start.

Hyundai Santa Fe Accessories

Hyundai Santa Fe Dimensions

The dimensions of the Hyundai Santa Fe SUV vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2024 SUV 1685x1900x4785 mm 176 mm
2023 SUV 1685x1900x4785 mm 176 mm
2022 SUV 1685x1900x4785 mm 176 mm
2021 SUV 1680x1890x4770 mm 185 mm
2020 SUV 1680x1890x4770 mm 185 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Hyundai Santa Fe Dimensions

Hyundai Santa Fe Boot Space

The Sante Fe’s boot is a good size when all seven seats are in action, with 517L VDA of cargo capacity available. That jumps up to 782L VDA when the rear seats are folded flat.

Hyundai Santa Fe Boot space

Hyundai Santa Fe Fuel Consumption

The Hyundai Santa Fe is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Diesel, —, Hyb/ULP and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 6.1L/100km for SUV /Diesel for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2024 SUV 6.1L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2024 SUV 10.5L/100km 3.5L 8 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 6L/100km 1.6L Hyb/ULP 6 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 6.1L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2023 SUV 10.5L/100km 3.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 6.1L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 10.5L/100km 3.5L 8 SP AUTO
2022 SUV 10.5L/100km 3.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2021 SUV 7.5L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2021 SUV 10.6L/100km 3.5L ULP 8 SP AUTO
2020 SUV 7.5L/100km 2.2L Diesel 8 SP AUTO
2020 SUV 9.3L/100km 2.4L ULP 6 SP AUTO
* Combined fuel consumption See All Hyundai Santa Fe Pricing and Specs for 2024

Hyundai Santa Fe Wheel Size

The Hyundai Santa Fe has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 235x65 R17 1 for SUV in 2024.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2024 SUV 235x65 R17 1 235x65 R17 1
2023 SUV 235x65 R17 1 235x65 R17 1
2022 SUV 235x65 R17 1 235x65 R17 1
2021 SUV 235x65 R17 1 235x65 R17 1
2020 SUV 235x65 R17 1 17x7 inches 235x65 R17 1 17x7 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Hyundai Santa Fe Wheel Sizes

Hyundai Santa Fe Speed

The Santa Fe doesn’t have an official 0-100km/h sprint time.