Comments on: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Review

By: Family Guy

Family Guy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:27:18 +0000

Boiled down a lengthy quest for a mid size SUV to 2 cars after several weeks of test driving. The Santa Fe and Kluger. Ended up buying a Toyota because we got a great deal on a fully specced demo with hardly any km on the clock.

Having said that – I’d happily own either. The Kluger has a smoother drive I think. That V6 and auto combo is a cut price Lexus for sure. More space and I feel a more quality finish – feels special

We had a Santa Fe for a weekend a few weeks back and took it for some lengthy runs. The diesel is a gem. Pulls like a train. At cruising speed it is very quiet but under acceleration my wife said it sounded a bit like a truck. Harsh criticism. The engine and auto combo is very good, very smooth. The finish is excellent and all models are very well kitted. My kids preferred the Santa Fe, I liked the lounge room feel of the Kluger. Personal choice.

Looked at everything from Forester, Captiva, Sorento, Outlander VRX, Tiguan, Territory. Some were too small for my needs. The Ford is good value but looks its age and drinks like a fish.

Very happy with my choice. Having said that I do like the look of the new Sportage as a second car……

By: Cant Deliver

Cant Deliver — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:24:02 +0000

I’m reading a steady stream of more than positive reviews of the Santa Fe 2010, but what is Hyundai’s problem with delivery of this car? My research from Hyundai Aust.is that it will be some time before any private purchases will achieve any delivery,
There is some futility in marketing and getting the vehicle reviewed, if you can’t actually get your hands on one!!

Can anyone explain this delay???

By: flabbergasted

flabbergasted — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:24:23 +0000

I can only concur with the previous comments. Hyundai Aust, are reporting long delays in actual deliveries.Perhaps they would have been better served to hold their extensive marketing campaign about the santa fe 2010, until customers could get the vehicle in reasonable time.
I hear rumblings in the Hyundai camp, that all is not well in their organisation, and that many employees are very annoyed at the way they treated by their employer.
This may be the reason why , ultimately their ability to get cars to customers, is being negatively impacted.

By: Genuine

Genuine — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:49:22 +0000

It may be a very good car, unfortunately, hyundai have let themselves down by very poor delivery times. In some cases the Santa Fe 2010 is months behind its orders. My advice is that if you need a new vehicle in a reasonable amount of time, order something else. If you can afford the luxury of time for Hyundai to work through their problems with production time, then expect your Santa Fe sometime around May .

By: Bill Morris

Bill Morris — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:54:15 +0000

I am interested in knowing what the new Santa Fe would be like for towing a caravan.

By: CrustyTheClown

CrustyTheClown — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:40:40 +0000

$50k for this Korean job? Now THAT is funny

[Paging P.T Barnum!]

By: Peter H

Peter H — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:06:46 +0000

Had a look at a new Highlander today. I will not be buying one – why? The bloody stupid 7 seats. I have a previous model (07) 5 seater manual diesel that I love. The space under the rear floor is amazing to keep those really useful things like raincoats, air pump, wheel brace, tie down ropes for trailer etc that you don’t want floating around the inside of the car. This was the biggest selling point when I bought that car over Commander, Captiva etc. I have older teenage children who I would never put in 6&7 seats even if I had them (they complained bitterly when put in those seats on our old Pajero).

I would love the new engine and 6 speed manual, I don’t need or want all the cost extra stuff, just want a base model. Therefore if I want to change I will have to look elsewhere, which is a pity as my Santa Fe is one of the best cars I have ever had, very practical for the mix of towing and general driving I do.

I really believe the Hyundai marketing / model people have shot themselves in the foot with this change – I suspect a fair number of their customers are older people (Ok I’m 50) who either have older kids or are without kids, who like a bit of space to be able to go camping, boating etc and will never use a 6th and 7th seat. I really hope they see the foolishness of their decision and re-instate the 5 seater when the first model “update” comes along.

Rant over …..

By: lazybones

lazybones — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:03:53 +0000

The engine is a massive jump from the previous. The only problem is the torque steer can send you off road if you floor it in 2nd. But lets face it, thats not the way to drive this kind of car anyway.

By: lazybones

lazybones — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:58:53 +0000

I got a Manual SLX OTR $41K (inc Towbar, Met Paint), so about 4K off RRP.

By: Darls

Darls — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:29:34 +0000

How funny.. I’ve been looking at moving on from my Ford Escape and looking at the Santa Fe or the Sorento, went searching for some info and found this little “biffo blog” gave me my first laugh in the office today.. thanks guys! I’m still not sure which one I prefer.. but like a good girl I’ll do the researcha and go drive them both!

By: Silver Streak

Silver Streak — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:27:20 +0000

Good price there Russell, did you have to work hard for that??

By: Byron

Byron — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:56:28 +0000

I’ve alwsy liked the look of the Santa Fe. Great diesel engine. Love the interior even if it is Korean & Exterior has hardly aged. hopefully, some more sales will come out of this update. go Hyundai!

By: Russell

Russell — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:36:05 +0000

Got my highlander for $49.100 drive away with a towbar. Some were quoting $52,000 for the same.

By: app_master

app_master — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:23:32 +0000

Pretty close to RRP driveway.

By: Mic

Mic — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:13:02 +0000

Any idea where to get the BEST price for the standard SLX. All these dealers seem to be flogging off the RRP and not wanting to negotiate – i am guessing it is too early to haggle with them.

Any one got any suggestions

By: Trenton

Trenton — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:55:55 +0000

Although the Kia is a brand new model, the Santa Fe is a proven platform. The only reason Kia is deemed brand new is because the previous model was of no comparison to the Hyundai and it sat on old architecture. Thanks to Hyundai, it know boasts a brand new product. I have had the pleasure of time behind the wheel of the Santa Fe and personally, via brand perception and the ability to retain some value … put your trust behind the brand that gives you Kia … own a Hyundai.

By: lazybones

lazybones — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:42:48 +0000

Well with rave reviews CA have given the Santa Fe on the various long term updates, I booked it for a test drive. Firstly the outgoing model and just today the 2010 model. Coming from a Toyota RAV4 the 09 model had the usual dodgy lifeless Hyundai steering, and the auto appeared to be unsure of what gear to be in. This gave the car a funny unresponsive feel on the accelerator. Nasty walnut trim and a noisey engine.

However the 2010 was a totally different beast. Totally blown away with the engine performance, steering is now precise and has a solid feel. The walnut effect dashboard trim is replaced with a nicer carbon fibre effect, greatly reduced engine noise and a decent 6 speed transmission. The trip computer revealed a 8.0l/100km average. I can only say they have come of age.

By: eecchhoo

eecchhoo — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:48:53 +0000

It’s December now … No news or update on hyundai website yet on the new model? ….

By: Felix

Felix — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:29:58 +0000

When you get around to the “proper” review, can we please, please, please get some actual idea of off road ability/limitations, like with the Tiguan off road test?

By: Amir

Amir — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:46:20 +0000

santa fe2010