Comments on: 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe CRDi Long Term Review update

By: michael

michael — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:56:36 +0000

I too was tossing up between a Santa Fe and a Captiva, both diesel. What sold me on the Santa Fe was it seemed to have a bit more room inside and a few more creature comforts. Nicer dash layout, sunroof, dual zone air, extention piece in visors, air con in the third row, cooler in centre console, better towing capacity 2000kg, (1700kg captiva)and a big factor for us was the second row seat on kerb side folds down as Captiva was road side. We have three kids one still in baby seat the other two pile into the third row at school pick up and drop off. We have not had any problems at all. we average 750km to a tank approx 9.3 ltr/100km and thats running kids to and from school, dancing and all the crap that goes with kids. We absoloutely love it. IMO its the best car I have driven, we are so looking forward to our big camping trip in December, hope all goes well.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:08:22 +0000

I bought a Sante Fe CRDi new in 2007 and it has 97,000km on the clock. I have done long trips around Australia on all roads and often have it on the beach and crossing sand dunes to go surfing. The best fuel consumption to date is 7.8l/100km over a 2200km journey. The only problems so far have been electrical – the radio / CD player had to be replaced as did the central locking system. A few more centimetres in ground clearance wouldn’t go astray and they need to bring back the hinged rear window so the tailgate doesn’t have to be fully opened; a hassle when loaded.

By: James

James — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:25:25 +0000

I am deciding between the Sante fe and the Captiva diesel. They both seem impressive Is there anything else i should take a look at?

By: norm

norm — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:47:34 +0000

I drive an 07 Santa Fe Elite, and have had no problems. I live in Alice Springs and have been to many remote communities ,over some pretty rough roads ,including sand, and the car has not missed a beat . The only problem i had was with the door trim ,which started to peel off ,and was replaced straight away . Fuel consumption has been excellent,and have had a few ‘ONLY BE A TOYOTA’ guys very impressed where i have got to , and given them food for thought .

By: Cary

Cary — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:10:25 +0000

Looks like a facelift is on it’s way for Santa Fe. With exterior and interior changes, it should boost Hyundai’s sales. Now all I need is to convince the wife, that Santa Fe is a reliable car.

Here is the link on some of the changes for the Korean market – who knows if Australia will get all of them.

http://autoworld.wordpress.com.....nd-photos/

By: GAL

GAL — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:09:01 +0000

Santa Fe ranked 7th on 2009 touhgest cars on the road by Forbe

1) Ford escape
2) Ford Fusion
3) Honda Civic
4) Honda Fit
5) Honda CR-V
6) Honda Element
7) Hyndai Santa Fe
8) Subaru Impreza
9) Subaru Forester
10) Toyota Corolla

Hal said I want to believe that Kia/Hyundai are getting better, but from an outsider’s perspective it seems they still have a way to go. Well, Santa Fe seems like a reliabe car. We need evidence based discussions, not emotional ramblling.
Reference
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/.....ide_8.html

By: Fernando

Fernando — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:06:00 +0000

2009 touhgest cars on the road by Forbe

1. Ford escape
2. Ford Fusion
3. Honda Civic
4. Honda Fit
5. Honda CR-V
6. Honda Element
7. Hyndai Santa Fe
8. Subaru Impreza
9. Subaru Forester
10. Toyota Corolla

By: GAL

GAL — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:04 +0000

Thanks for nice review

By: Nuwanda

Nuwanda — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:22:27 +0000

How can you say the CRV is better than a Santa Fe, different market. The Nissan is a better comparison, at least you can have full 4×4 lock and disable the ESP whilst keeping traction control working, the CRV is a high riding, all wheel drive capable Civic. The X-trail doesnt have two engine choices, just different tunes depending on auto or manual as the automatic cannot handle the torque of a diesel and has to be detuned until they can get a strong enough auto and quite a few reviews and owners say dont worry about the auto as it is a slug to drive and not very well matched.

Honda will always have good appeal on the 2nd hand market due to Honda reputation but the x-trails dont have great strength due to running costs etc associsated with owning a Nissan, there is just a lot of them out there and so greater numbers being traded in, no diesels yet as they have not been around long enough.

These newer styled Santa Fe’s are very strong in the second hand market as they have been around for a few years now and 06/07 models are being traded and reselling at great prices as they have proven to be a strong and reliable SUV without being a truck to drive and the diesel has very few if any reliability issues which cannot be said for alot of the Japanese diesels with their DPF’s issues including the new x-trails.

By: Cary

Cary — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:29:37 +0000

Thanks for the link Hans. I’ve been waiting for news regarding the facelifted santa fe. It’s good to see that Hyundai have improved the engine. Sounds like no changes to the interior though. Now it’s just a matter of convincing the wife on the Hyundai badge!

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:08:42 +0000

^^^^^^Justus Mafolo Says:

Errrrr, no the NISSAN X Trail and haonda crv are better and have much more appeal and stronger on the 2nd. market than than the Hyundai.

Gets worse, now you can buy the X Trail with a choice of diesel power-plants x2[why bother?]

I DON’T have a good rap for the Rav4, very over rated and over priced, tiny too

Cheers

F-0

By: Justus Mafolo

Justus Mafolo — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:00:49 +0000

it is quite amazing to read the ranting and raving against the SF. It is a semi-affordable tuna-tin but hell it works! I have a SLX Diesel and it is as good as anything else in the price range and the trimmings might be worse than a RAV4 (my beloved weapon of choice)but it is on parr with Subaru Forester, better than a Territory and X-trail. if it lasts 5 years, then it is serious value. Most Land Rover Discoveries at three times the price don’t.

By: Hans

Hans — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:54:10 +0000

Anyone thinking of getting the Hyundai Santa Fe should wait for another couple of months. They’ve just announced new improved diesel powertrains and 6 speed transmission.

Check it out!

http://www.carpoint.com.au/new.....ines-15536

By: Nuwanda

Nuwanda — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:07:30 +0000

I have recently purchased an 09 SLX CRDi and I love this car. The diesel is a great engine and matched very well with the auto. I have not had any trim issues after 7500km nor any noise issues, probably because I dont go crashing over speed humps.

I came out of a Mazda CX-7 and I must say the trims it that were shocking, all you have to do was look at the silver trims and they scratched, the flat black trims on the console and dash were easily scratched by cleaning them and the whole door trim panel was the same hard plastic as the dashboard and very uncomfortable to touch and marked easily. These Santa Fe’s have come a long way and so to Hyundai, if I only have half of the issues I had with my Mazda I would be thrilled with our Santa Fe. We replaced engine mounts, a/c, door trims and they couldnt fix the excessive fuel consumption (18l/100km)or the knocking sound in the front end.

A lot of people are missing out on good cars just due to badge snobbery.

By: SteveC

SteveC — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:02:49 +0000

The thumping sound you speak of might be a lower linkage or steering arm from the power steering rack.

By: John of Perth

John of Perth — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:54:12 +0000

With respect to the quality of the trim for the price point I paid, I accept it. The only gripe I have is with the Elite level, the steering wheel should be proper leather.

I recently had a nail in a front tyre and was pleasantly surprised to first note how accessible the jack/tool kit was and seoncdly, how easy it was to release the full size 19″ spare on its alloy rim. A full size spare – most European SUVS in this category have a space saver.

By: Realcars

Realcars — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 05:32:54 +0000

The springs are too soft that’s the prob.

Very common in Jap cars of the 90’s especially Mazdas/Hondas.Soft suspension that bottoms over humps and/or with a load.

Trim/plastic quality is really a very mixed bag at this price point across manufacturers and seems to be getting worse IMO.

Amazes me how things like suspension tune slip through given how much effort it takes to bring a model into production in the first place.

By: John of Perth

John of Perth — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:02:57 +0000

Hi Karl

I have a Jan 09 build Elite here in Perth with the std suspension setup, on which I can routinely replicate the suspension ‘top out’ after departing the apex of a speed hump at approx 20-30km/hr. I also think this is not acceptable and will mention it to the dealer when I book in for the next service. I think it is the calibration of the front suspension.

In all other respects a very good car.

John

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:43:22 +0000

A standard (6×8) trailer load of sand/mulch/stones etc is usually 1/2 a cubic metre – that looks like a standard trailer.

Might only be 800kg….

By: Tony

Tony — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:36:07 +0000

not trying to defend this car but from my experience EVERY car from Kia to Mercedes will show wear issues if you intend to use them as designed.

I remember borrowing a Mercedes SUV as a loaner during service and the guy said to be careful of the cream/biege trimmings/fabric/mbtex whatever inside.

You are dreaming if you think the $38,888 Ford Territory is any better once you chuck kids and the family inside.

I have also complained about wear issues in many cars. It’s just up to the dealer to replace what can be replaced and live with what can’t be.

The bottom line is this… you pay under $40k for a car/suv/whatever, expect to see some corners cut. Hope for some considerate dealers.

I am a bit surprised that Hyundai don’t have fancier keys? That looks like a standard keyhole from a 1992 Excel.