My folks bought one of these about 12 months ago. I have to say, I was pretty pessimistic about it at the time, but truthfully, this is a pretty great car, I really have come around to it.

They use it for long distance trips with their caravan and often come out with fuel consumptions around the 13L/100km mark when towing. The Commodore they had before that would easily suck +20L/100km on the tow.

Hal, I have now clocked 50,000km in my 07 SLX CRD and the only warranty items I have had in the 22 months of owning this car is a faulty central lock on the passenger front door and a minor earth issue on a brake light both sorted at the service, no hassles at all. The seven seat practicality with great fuel economy from the diesel ( around town between 8 to 9 ltrs and have seen it dip into the high 5′s/ low 6′s on a trip) This is a very reliable and economical Hyundai but largely ignored by the buyer. Full safety equipment including 3rd row airbags for my family protection yet Captiva gets the sales volume /attention because of a Holden badge? Would I but another? ..Yes.

Scamma, good luck to you and it’s good to hear you’ve only had minor problems. But I still think it’s a indication that the QC for Hyundai is hit and miss, and you have been fortunate enough to get a good one. I just think that if they are ever going to convince people once and for all, as the Japanese car makers did throughout the 70′s & 80′s, then sending out a brand new test car for review with the seating issue as seen in this one is unforgiveable.

By the way, I wouldn’t purcahse a Captiva either, no way known.

lol, that same thing happens to our camry sportivo (the leathern issue), but on al headrests except the drivers and rear right passengers…

its an
’07 sportivo with the ‘crossbar’ leather, and the leather on the head restraints is iiteray popping out – its so crap…

i hope my parents repace it soon – theyre looking at an i30 or focus diesel

*guffaws with amazement*

Deano, as is generally the case with people who label others as ignorant or badge-snobs for daring to question the long-term integrity and quality of the Korean cars, you have done nothing to dispel the factual concerns many people have with them. All you do is talk about a 7 series BMW that had a seating issue, or a Honda that had one. Nice try and the typical of the smokescreen distractions used to avoid discussing the facts (which are that many people still have concerns). Or people are quick to quote the latest obscure survey that tells us that Hyundai and kia have moved up 3 places to 8th in the reliability stakes. Please, spare me.

If you can see through the thick fog of contempt you obviously have for others people’s opinions, why don’t you actually add something constructive and suggest reasons why Hyundai would allow a car to be driven on a long term test by a popular motoring journal, with that very shabby seating issue? They are not doing any favours for themselves.

No, it’s much easier and distracting to point at the occassional issues that are found with the other proven and better accepted brands.

Now, time to skip to the next comment, as yours is boring me.

Well, so overall not a bad start nor a great start.

We shall see how the car pans out over the next few months.
I don’t think that a car having such an issue is a major concern – the real test is what the dealer/manufacturer does to rectify that..when you have so many parts coming from various suppliers – invariably you’re guna get glitches here and there.
I previously owned a Jetta with the works and I also had issues with the leather seats – which were fixed up several months later once I took the car back to the dealership. So more than happy with their service – I was still surprised that the seats passed their QA process.

After reading many great reports on this vehicle I decided to buy an Elite Diesel 3 weeks ago (same model as in this article, and most other articles). The dealer was very happy to take my deposit – then the fun started. They called me a few days later to tell me that they, nor Hyundai, could supply a vehicle!!! I only wanted a current model (MY09) in white, surely not too hard – apparently there is none in Australia and none coming. Now you would think with all the good reviews that the independant media are giving this vehicle they would have a few on order at least – not so according to my dealer, the only MY09 Elite that was available was a Green on a boat and if i wanted any other colour then i would have to order one from the factory – a 3 month wait!!!. So I decided to accept a lower spec vehicle (SLX). Two weeks later i am still waiting on an ETA. They cant tell me if it has left the factory, on a boat or in Australia. But it seems that Hyundai have “a choice of colours” available to give to the media, but not to the paying public!!! I also enquired about the genuine Hyundai reversing sensors, I was told that they are not available for that model – apparently you can have whatever you want if you are going to write a “long term review” on a website. I would like to get the name and number of the PR man you spoke to as maybe he can supply me a car in the colour of my choice!!!

Hmmm, the fun continues. If you want to know anything at all about ongoing quality or reliability of new cars, then go and buy a copy of the “Dog and Lemon Guide” or read about your favorite car at the news agent if you are too tight to buy a copy. This is a great read as it details complaints and common problems with all cars sold here (including “grey” imports). It also takes data from overseas motoring groups (like our RACV etc) road side assistance. I checked on the new (and superceded) Sante Fe. It comes out with a very good recomendation. However (this will upset a few of you), BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi and particularly VW are given ratings like “avoid at all costs”, or “avoid like the plague”. I always judge guides like this by reaction from car companies. When they tried to pull this guide from publication, then I knew it had to be good. I have read some of the overseas websites and can only conclude that this guide is close to the mark. That and the fact that Martin Winkelhorn (MD of VW) publicaly appologised for the appalling quality of VW’s over the past few years and that Mercedes admits that it’s cars are far from satifactory (now down to 31 of the top 35 cars for owners satifaction in the US) shows that so called prestige Euro cars are far from top notch. Hyundai is now in the top 10 in the US and Europe for quality and owner satisfaction. Make your own mind up. A $40’000 Hyundai, a $70’000 Audi Q5 or a $70’000 BMW X3. Then factor in service costs, running costs and depretiation.

I’d pay more for the volvo AWD V50T5 (late $50′s) or if I needed more room, the XC60, or XC70. Hyundai might be getting better, but my brief flirtation with a korean car was an unmitigated disaster, and I’d never buy another.

Spot on Reckless One.

Tony Says:
April 29th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Just a small point in support of the importer & dealer Tony, whilst I understand your desire to get into your new car, when you buy a new dinning room suite and the shop doesn’t have the colour on the floor it takes three months for them to build it in Australia. If you really wanted the Elite, surely the same elapsed time is acceptable on a complex item that will keep you alive???

Australians have to learn to accept that you will have to wait for the car you want, particularly as the motor industry gets itself out of the drastic oversupply situation it finds itself in.

^actually, the name calling was poor form on my part, I take that back.

I said several times…Do not buy an Europen built cars!!! They are craps in that you must “avoid at all costs”, or “avoid like the plague” to save your hard earned money…

HAL – you’ve been bitten and getting the frillies in a right twist over a pathetic untucked bit of leather. For this you condemn all of a manufacturers output. Stupid is as stupid was.

As for the Hyundai – its a great car with a good warranty, I’d consider one if I was in the market for a Toorak tractor (gosh Toorak twice in a day). Hyundai are even discounting by £4000plus in the UK. I’ll have myself a bargain then.

interesting how off topic these comments can become.

With reference to the article, I think Hyundai have lifted their quality to a point that it is the equal of most high volume production vehicles – if not better.

My wife drives the Elite CRDi 09 and guess what – no issues in five months. We elected not to option the Tow package, as we felt if would be too harsh for everyday driving, particularly with the 18″ alloys on the Elite.

Everything opens and shuts with a reassuring clunk and even the odd shaped tailgate handle works very well in practice. The split third row seats have been used by the kids and with the rear a/c outlet there have been no complaints.

Would I recommend it – most certainly – extremely good value for money in this segment.

My wife recently had a Honda CRV as a company car, had it for about 6 months. That was then replaced with the car she has now, a Hyundai Tucson. Both were auto’s, both were base models. Here are some observations…

The CRV is an infinitely nicer car to travel in. It is so much quieter and more refined, the engine in the Honda does its job without much fuss whereas the Hyundai feels coarse and thrashy, the transmission in the Honda always seemed to be in the right gear and the Hyundai always had to be prodded to move and kick down. The Hyundai’s interior, instruments and switch gear feel cheap and low rent compared to the Honda’s, which is almost elegant in it’s layout and appearance. Both cars used about the same fuel, about mid tens per 100km, which makes the Santa Fe’s figure look terrible considering it’s a diesel. Neither car had an issue or a fault in that time.

In fairness the CRV costs more than the Tucson, but even in base model form the CRV doesn’t feel like a base model, it’s pleasant and quiet and comfortable, it’s a nice place to be. And the Tucson, in comparison it’s noisy and cheap, it keeps the rain out and it’s a lot quicker than walking. So the Santa Fe, which is the same money as a CRV, will need a lot more than just fancy electric leather seats if it’s to be a real alternative to the Honda.

John of Perth

No I havn’t driven a Santa Fe, have you driven a Tucson? Or a CRV? I have driven the current model Rav 4 and X-trail, and the Tucson is easily the worst vehicle, and by a long margin, from that bunch. In a nut shell, these Japanese models are significently more refined than the Hyundai.

But this is not Hyundai bashing. Hence my closing comment, being that the Santa Fe will need more than just fancy seats and (other equipment) to be a real alternative. It needs to be more refined than the Tucson, it needs to be more relaxing to drive, quieter, a much more sophisticated car given it competes on price with the CRV.

I hope it is all these things as I personally like the looks of the Santa Fe over the CRV.

As you bought the diesel model, how does the fuel consumption of yours compare with the 10.2 litres per 100 kms as Peskett quoted above?

One other thing Mr Milla 3 friends with Xtrail’s often tell me how much better the Tucson is.2 have looked at buyin a Tucson but with Nissan Xtrail having bad resale value was not worth it.

John, the article acknowledges that the Sante Fe has little Km’s on the clock right now and that fuel economy should improve. My experience is that it certainly will as noted in my comments earlier in this forum. I’m happy not to be driving a Territory around town as I know I’m not going to see figures any time below 10/Ltrs per 100km in that(“needs that diesel”)and thus don’t have to think twice about the fuel costs every time I jump in. The seven seat capacity / 3rd row airbags / 3rd row air con…and great reliability over the last 22 months tells me I made a good choice. Honda Odesseys are underpowered with a full load (and now $4K more, what the?), I’ve done the Van thing, Captiva’s dont have the same safety spec’s, and other 7 seat vehicles (which was a criteria for me) are either premium priced or high running costs.It is a different vehicle in diesel guise to the Tucson. Sante Fe may not be perfect, but for the dollars I spent and for the boxes it ticks for me..I’m satisfied

Matty

I’m not a brand snob, as I said I had the opportunity to compare these 2 vehicles back to back over an extended period and what I wrote are simply my observations. If you’re happy with your Tucson then I’m happy for you.

However, I can’t understand 3 of your friends believe the Tucson is better! At what? Being a door stop? And you think a Getz is better than a CRV? The Getz is perfect if you don’t have much money, or you don’t want to spend a lot of money, and you don’t have to drive very far. But better than a CRV? Come on stop being silly, do you have the Hyundai emblem tattooed on your body somewhere?

Well, as my mum said, it takes all sorts….

LOL, Matt just saw that you mentioned Getz as a better car than a CR-V? Riiiighttt…are you a spammer?

I had a current model diesel Sante Fe for seven months and sold it.

I found it a reasonable quality vehicle with above average looks for a 4WD, but was disappointed with its handling, oil consumption and the general lack of refinement with the diesel engine.

The auto gearbox was very average even when operated with just the vehicles normal weight, and I had little confidence it could tow its rated capacity on a long term basis.

Fuel usage averaged 9.3 litres per 100km overall on the “trip computer” with minimal towing but I found on checking its actual consumption was just over 10 litres per 100km’s, which while still reasonable was a fair way off its claimed ADR figure.

The diesel presents quite a loud rattle especially when cold, the handling is only average, beware of loading up the steering too much in a corner, it understeers in quite an alarming manner if pushed and beware of its open road overtaking performance which is best described as quite lathargic, (I think from memory the 80-120 k.p.h. time is about 12 seconds).

Hyundai / Kia have a new 149kw, 440nm approx diesel coming soon in the new Kia Sorento and quite frankly it can’t come soon enough as the Sante Fe is significantly underpowered IMO.

For the money the Sante Fe is a reasonable vehicle, but as your mother probably told you, you get what you pay for and those expecting Lexus RX350 or Audi Q5 3.0 diesel, quality and performance standards for an apparent bargain price, will be very disappointed.

Haven’t visited site for some time and see everyone is still enjoying themselves!

Have one of the first 2006 Santa Fe CRD SX manual models in Oz. 60k + kms on clock. Best car ever owned by a country mile. Average 1000k per 75 litre tank driving to city every day and have gotten 1450k on a tank on a trip to Rocky and back.

No squeaks, rattles or mechanical issues. Goes like a train all day every day and looks as good as the day I bought it. I’ve driven on Rainbow Beach, Noosa North Short, and Nth Stadbroke beaches. Climbed muddy tracks out back of Ipswich (Cooper A/T tyres) and can’t believe how good it is. I now leave the Nissan Navara D21 at home because I want to go 4wd in comfort. Don’t believe me, refer to Overlander Magazine Feb ’07 for confirmation of what they think of its 4wd abilities during trials!
AND NO, I don’t sell the frigin things, just give credit where it is due.

Hal said I’ll keep being silly and ignorant buying my Mazdas and Audis.
According to JD power 2009 initial quality survey (problem per 100 vehicles), Mazda is 123 and Audi is 118, which are far worse than industrial average(108). Whereas, Hyundai is 95, which ranked 4th. Well, initial quality survey doesn’t mean everything but Hal’s favorite Mazdas and Audis don’t seem like that superior to Hyundais.

http://jalopnik.com/5299918/lexus-porsche-top-2009-jd-power-initial-quality-survey

hyunday , jeep greattttt car

I was reading with interest the comments about Hyundai in Australia. I live in the USA and they used to be the motoring joke here for a long time. I bought a new one in 1989 as a family car, it was the Excel and the only model they sold. I got the 4 door with every option other than auto. Other than being rather under powered it never let us down for the 3 years while it was used as our main car (and nothing fell off). The only thing that had to be fixed was to change the clutch but that not really the cars fault. I got it stuck on a steep hill and after some clutch slipping (and burning smell) plus 2 kids learning to drive in it it just gave up. I was going to trade it in but the price I was offered was so low that I just kept it and gave it to my daughter. Now fast forward to 2007 and we needed to trade my wife’s truck for an SUV, after looking at quite a few we decided on a Hyundai Veracruz. It is bigger than the Santa Fa and I like the look more. I feel sorry for Tony as I went to a dealer on the way home to test drive the car as we liked it so much we took it home with us. We have now had it for two years, it did a trip to California (we live in Phoenix AZ) where we picked up my sister–n-law and niece then drove on in complete comfort to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and back to Phoenix. The only problem we have had was the throttle position indicator got confused so the engine warning light came on and it would not change out of 6th gear. This was fixed under warranty (10yr 100,000 miles over here) I had the same thing happen on my Jaguar XJ6 so it was in good company. The build quality is really good with soft plastics and it still looks brand new. I would recommend a Hyundai to anyone the only thing I wish they would do better is the selections of body colours as they are really dull so we just bought a white one.

My son has had a Santa Fe CRDI Elite for 18 months (in NZ). To date it has done over 90,000kms, about half towing a 1500kg approx caravan. He had a minor wiring fault with an aftermarket reversing camera and one flat tyre. No other problems at all. He did have problems unobtrusively but accessibly mounting the controller for the electric trailer brakes without defacing the trim. Dunno how he solved that.

Kenz