Comments on: 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe CRDi Long Term Review

By: Andrew Traum

Andrew Traum — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:23:48 +0000

Hi Ken. I also have an Elite CRDI with 30k and 2yo. I assume at that price you bought the “RaceChip PRO”. I’m thinking about just the basic one (E129.00). What was your thinking for going for the PRO? I’m so looking forward to getting rid of the low-rev flat spot! Otherwise I’m rapt with the car.
Cheers.

By: Brian R

Brian R — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:50:00 +0000

I have an elite CRDi with 70k on it.

Recently I have made two modifications which have made this car impeccable to dirve.

1. Fitted Yokohama GO51 tyres. (about $1200)
2. Fitted a racechip from Germany (racechip.de) (about $450)

Handles great, much more feel in the steering, no more flat spot and heaps of power.

Just do it !

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:09:15 +0000

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

By: Roy

Roy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:45:05 +0000

By roy

I would like to know if South Korean made Sante Fe 2009 crdi SUV is as durable and long lasting as compared to many German, Japanese and American competitors ?
Has anyone had a reasonably trouble free 80,000 kms on a Sante Fe 2008 or 2009 model ?
I would also like to know If the Brakes, Transmission and Suspensions lasts Long for mostly safe highway drives in hot conditions?
Can experienced owners help me with my Queries ? thanks

By: LesUSA

LesUSA — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:08:01 +0000

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.

By: Roman

Roman — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:42:43 +0000

Just came across this thread by accident. Currently drive an 07 Mazda 6, and am disappointed with some trim issues I’ve had. Despite the dealers being helpful in trying to rectify the problem, it’s still not fixed, and apparantly, it’s a common fault. So, just shows that manufacturers aren’t perfect.

By: lhuda.com

lhuda.com — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:02:27 +0000

hyunday , jeep greattttt car

By: Nuwanda

Nuwanda — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:42:04 +0000

I have just purchased an 09 SLX Santa fe CRDi and love it, great economy, comfortable car and very well put together. In relation to HAL rambling on about Korean vs The rest of The World, I sold Holden and Fords for 10 years and I would never buy a European made car, American made car or Australian made car, not reliable at all and very expensive to fix, especially the Europeans.

I have just come out of a Mazda CX-7 which I loved but way to many reliablity issues, we had the A/C replaced, engine mount replaced, turbo seals replaced, knocking sound in front end that Mazda couldnt fix over a 12 month period, knock in the steering rack that is “a characteristic of the car”, very dangerous turbo lag and in the last 8000km we had it excessive fuel consumption that could not be fixed also, 19l/100km around town and 14.5l/100km out on the highway and this was all in a 2 year old car that had only done 31000km. There is no way I would purchase one again or suggest anyone else to, I have since learnt that the engine mounts have a habit of failing in all CX-7 and the MPS 3 & 6 due to their design as well as the A/C compressor and they wont change the design, just another “characteristic of the car”.

Goodluck HAL with your Mazdas and Audis, I will give you a toot as I pass you by on the side of the road and throw some money at you that I saved over what you would have spent, watch out for the coins!

By: Fernando

Fernando — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:25:09 +0000

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

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:29:46 +0000

Buck,
Sad to hear of your experience with your Santa fe. I have an 07 Elite CRDi and love it. Last year we towed an 1750kg caravan from melbourne over to perth, up to Broome and Kununurra across to Katherine, down the Centre and all stops in between back to Melbourne. Didnt miss a beat.
16,000km’s towing in 3 months and no probs ( apart from servicing in Karatha @ $200 ph!!!)
Its not perfect, had some minor issues with it. With cruise control on and towing, would kick into neutral after dropping down a cog. Fixed with rejig of autos puter.
Two weeks ago rattle in engine bay and the front cover of the aircon compressor dropped off. Replaced immediately.
Turbo lag in some situations can be tricky but avoidable if aware.
Fuel consumption is excellent with 680/730km a tank in suburban driving and ranging between 13L/100km to 15.5 L100/km towing the van depending on terrain and wind direction.
Can’t beat the 5 years / unlimited K’s warranty eith with roadside assist thrown in.
Love the vehicle and will get another one especially if it gets the larger Kia/Hyundai engine.
Also I believe two years ago in America Hyundai received top marks of all car manufacturers for quality control.

Bluey