Hyundai Santa Fe

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.33 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $24000.00 from Dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Honda Civic Si

Summary:
Awesome car for balls out driving. Lots of bad things as well. The worst is a lack of throttle response from 2 -7 mph. Yes, that's right, if you are in neutral or in gear but have the clutch depressed, then rev the engine between 2 and 7 mph, you will not have any throttle response. It's so bad that if you were at a yield sign, coasting through, then realized you needed to get on the throttle because a car is about to slam you, the lack of throttle response causes an unsure moment as to whether or not your car will get out of the way in time. It's that bad. The Si I road tested before buying mine had the same problem, though at the time I didn't realize what it was and that it was a serious, ongoing issue. Another issue is the severe hesitation when cold, and even when warm, though to a lesser degree. I mean severe! My '94 Accord with 260,000 miles has an engine that is silky smooth, even when cold. Now we're in 2007 and can't have a vehicle that runs smooth when cold? Honda really messed up with their Drive By Wire ( DBW ) and computer programming. Another issue is the tire hop when, god forbid, it's even a little wet out. The hop is so bad that it jars the heck out of the car. Not something that I would expect from a limited slip differential, not to mention the suspension setup. Another bad thing? The quality of the body panel seams. Each and every one of the seams on the body are off. Either more space than another, or a panel may be actually sticking out further than the panel that is next to it. The battery struggles to turn the motor over as well. Always feels like it's struggling when cranking. When cold, the fast idle gets confused and will "catch" and go from 1750 to 2250 after a quick blip of the throttle.

If it weren't so sexy, I'd drive it off a bridge while hitting 8000 rpm. Then I'd get insurance money to buy a car that has body panels that match and a throttle system that is not electronic. That would mean, I dare say, that it wouldn't be a Honda. Sorry Honda, your DBW sucks and your reluctance to address and fix these issues are your downfall in my eyes.

Toyota anyone?

Strengths:
Motor, handling, looks

Weaknesses:
DBW - all aspects of it; body seams. Honda needs to fix the lack of throttle response from 2-7 mph before I or anyone else sues them after getting into an accident.

Similar Products Used:
1985 CRX Si
1989 CRX Si
1990 Accord DX
1994 Accord EX
2005 Civic DX

Price Paid:  $24000.00 from Key Hyundai

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

Summary:
Nice design, and a very quiet and nice ride....when it runs. The transmission is an afterthought on this car, after having two replaced by the dealer. The second transmission skips and slips, but I can actually go around 20 miles, before this happens.

I am told that 20-25 miles, stop and let it cool down. Just a "quirk" of the model and I have to live with it.

Strengths:
OK. It does have an attractive exterior body design.

Weaknesses:
Cannot drive it more than 20 miles without overheating transmission. They last about 3 months.

Similar Products Used:
Ford Explorer. It has 160,000 miles on it and the same transmission. You can actually drive it over 20 miles!

Price Paid:  $24000.00 from Garlyn Shelton

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Hyundai Santa Fe

Summary:
This is my second Santa Fe and, although I very much liked the 2002, this one is a significant improvement. From the solid feel to the acceleration, it is a very impressive ride. The interior is very nice and the stereo sounds great.

Strengths:
Solid ride, great handling, very nice and roomy interior. Lots of practical features, such as a compass.

Weaknesses:
Gas mileage not as good as I would like but not that bad either (23mpg average)

Similar Products Used:
2002 Santa Fe

Price Paid:  $23000.00 from Ourisman, Laurel, MD

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Santa Fe

Summary:
I will never buy another Hyundai. I thought they had the best warranty, but I have found out they do not stand behind their warranty. I no sooner drove my car off the lot than I got huge spots all over the dash and the dealer would not fix. I even tried calling the 800 Hyundai and was given a case number and told I would receive a call back in a couple of days. I never received the called and when I called back they just said sorry I can't help you. My husband unfortunately also bought one and has had numerous things wrong, air bag off in passenger seat (the light says this in both of our cars even when someone is sitting in the seat).,knobs falling off or breaking, air pressure lights in both cars come on and then sometimes just go off. My daughter also bought a brand new Hyundai and the paint peeled off and they would not fix it. They said she had not washed the car, which was not true.

Strengths:
price

Weaknesses:
Does not honor warranty.

Similar Products Used:
We have owned two Tiburons. My daughter has owned three different Hyundai, but after buying two 2007 Santa Fe we will never buy another Hyundai.

Price Paid:  $23000.00 from Littleton, CO

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Santa Fe

Summary:
We live high in the Colorado Rockies (11,000' above sea level) and so far like the way the car handles on paved and dirt roads and it's performance at this altitude. However, we've already had to have the catalytic converter replaced and the clutch master cylinder replaced. All of these problems caused us multiple trips to the Dealer (a 5-hour round trip for each visit) before the correct diagnoses were obtained and the problems fixed. We used to have a Subaru (200,000 miles with minimal problems) and switched to Hyundai because of their high reputation now in the industry. So far we're not impressed. Time will tell.

Weaknesses:
Major problems have occurred that should not with a new car

Similar Products Used:
Subaru Forrester