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2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
Date Published: 8/26/08
Also in the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Review:
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Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
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2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe should see no major changes. This crossover SUV comes in GLS, SE, and top-line Limited trim. All offer front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive that allows locking in a 50/50 front/rear power split. All Santa Fes have a V6 engine; the GLS has a 185-hp 2.7-liter, while SE and Limited have a 242-hp 3.3-liter. GLS offers a 5-speed manual transmission and an optional 4-speed automatic. The other models have a 5-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 lb. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. All models seat five, but an available Touring Package adds a 50/50 split 3rd-row bench seat. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe.
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2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Build quality | Acceleration (GLS) |
| Instruments/controls | 3rd-row room and entry/exit |
| Passenger and cargo room | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
No manual-transmission or AWD models have been made available for testing. The GLS with the 2.7-liter V6 is slow to build speed and loses steam going up moderate grades. The 3.3-liter V6 gives other models adequate pep and is the better all-around choice. In Consumer Guide testing, a 2WD Limited did 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 4 | 5 | 5.4 |
No manual-transmission or AWD models have been made available for testing. The GLS with the 2.7-liter V6 is slow to build speed and loses steam going up moderate grades. The 3.3-liter V6 gives other models adequate pep and is the better all-around choice. In Consumer Guide testing, a 2WD Limited did 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, front-drive Santa Fes returned 18.8-19.2 mpg in city/highway driving. Santa Fe uses regular-grade gas.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 3.9 |
In Consumer Guide testing, front-drive Santa Fes returned 18.8-19.2 mpg in city/highway driving. Santa Fe uses regular-grade gas.
Ride Quality
Small bumps are smothered well, regardless of tire size. Large bumps induce uncomfortable bounce and sideways rocking, plus some minor vibration through the floor and steering column.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 5.5 |
Small bumps are smothered well, regardless of tire size. Large bumps induce uncomfortable bounce and sideways rocking, plus some minor vibration through the floor and steering column.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Pleasant and competent, if less sporty, precise, or car-like than the Nissan Murano or Honda Pilot. The tight turning radius aids close-quarters maneuvering.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 4.4 |
Pleasant and competent, if less sporty, precise, or car-like than the Nissan Murano or Honda Pilot. The tight turning radius aids close-quarters maneuvering.
Quietness
The engines are subdued at full throttle and remain quiet at routine cruising speeds. Road rumble is apparent over some surfaces. Wind noise is kept well in check.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.4 |
The engines are subdued at full throttle and remain quiet at routine cruising speeds. Road rumble is apparent over some surfaces. Wind noise is kept well in check.
Controls
Belies price with a smart and upscale cabin. Audio and climate controls are large, simple, handy, and share blue, night lighting with the easy-to-read gauges. A navigation system is available on Limited.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 6.2 |
Belies price with a smart and upscale cabin. Audio and climate controls are large, simple, handy, and share blue, night lighting with the easy-to-read gauges. A navigation system is available on Limited.
Details
More soft-touch surfaces would be nice, but the faux metal and wood trim is convincing, the headliner is handsome, and no plastics look cheap.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 5.4 |
More soft-touch surfaces would be nice, but the faux metal and wood trim is convincing, the headliner is handsome, and no plastics look cheap.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Adult-size headroom and legroom complement seats with good adjustment range. Entry and exit is easy. All models include a tilt and telescopic steering column. Styling slightly interferes with the views to the right rear and directly astern, but visibility is good otherwise.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 7.3 |
Adult-size headroom and legroom complement seats with good adjustment range. Entry and exit is easy. All models include a tilt and telescopic steering column. Styling slightly interferes with the views to the right rear and directly astern, but visibility is good otherwise.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Pushing the front seats well back means adults behind front-seat passengers sit knees-up, but they're not cramped, and there's good underseat foot space. Headroom suits six-footers. Three grownups can fit, but only short trips are recommended. No-strain entry and exit from 2nd row, but not to the skimpy, kid-size 3rd-row seat.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 6.3 |
Pushing the front seats well back means adults behind front-seat passengers sit knees-up, but they're not cramped, and there's good underseat foot space. Headroom suits six-footers. Three grownups can fit, but only short trips are recommended. No-strain entry and exit from 2nd row, but not to the skimpy, kid-size 3rd-row seat.
Cargo Room
All rear seats fold easily for extra cargo space; dropping 3rd row forms a level floor, but the floor is not level with the 2nd row folded. The liftgate lacks opening glass. Cabin storage is good but not exceptional by absolute standards.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 8.6 |
All rear seats fold easily for extra cargo space; dropping 3rd row forms a level floor, but the floor is not level with the 2nd row folded. The liftgate lacks opening glass. Cabin storage is good but not exceptional by absolute standards.
Value within Class
Santa Fe offers impressive room, build quality, and standard safety features, all at competitive prices. Hyundai's generous warranty is another value plus. Santa Fe needs more zip, and some buyers may appreciate a better ride and handling balance, but many people should find this a satisfying 2008 Recommended choice.
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 7 | 8 | 6 |
Santa Fe offers impressive room, build quality, and standard safety features, all at competitive prices. Hyundai's generous warranty is another value plus. Santa Fe needs more zip, and some buyers may appreciate a better ride and handling balance, but many people should find this a satisfying 2008 Recommended choice.
Total Score
| 2WD GLS, automatic | 2WD Limited | Class Average |
| 69 | 71 | 64.4 |
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles
| Low Score | 53 | |
| Average Score | 64 | |
| High Score | 76 |
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2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/13/2008
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
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2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Hyundai Santa Fe 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 106.3 |
| Overall Length, in. | 184.1 |
| Overall Width, in. | 74.4 |
| Overall Height, in. | 67.9 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3727 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 78.2 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.8 |
| Seating Capacity | 7 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 40.2 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.6 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 39.6 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.8 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| dohc V6 | dohc V6 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.7 /162 | 3.3 /204 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 185 @ 6000 | 242 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 183 @ 4000 | 226 @ 4500 |
| Availability | Standard | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
||
| 5-speed manual | 17/24 | --/-- |
| 4-speed automatic | 17/23 | --/-- |
| 5-speed automatic | --/-- | 17/24 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
 Antilock Brakes Traction Control Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags Curtain Side Airbags Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Hyundai Santa Fe 4-door wagon |
| 4WD Rollover | 4 |
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
| Rollover Resistance | 4 |
| Side Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Side Impact, Rear Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
| Class | Years/Miles | Comments |
| Powertrain | 10/100,000 | -- |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 5/60,000 | -- |
| Corrosion | 7/unlimited | -- |
| Free roadside assistance | 5/unlimited | -- |
| Free scheduled maintenance | None/-- | -- |
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive.
There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two
other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for
2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any
on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts
and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in:
South Korea
Drivewheels:
front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive
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Also in the 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Hyundai Santa Fe Full Review
7.
8.
9.
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