2008 Hyundai Santa Fe review
December 7, 2007 by Matt Brogan
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe SLX review
CarAdvice rating: 
Priced from: $33,990 – $48,990 ($40,990 as tested)
Options available: Metallic Paint $350
By: Matt Brogan
Hyundai’s previous Santa Fe was an ungainly, underpowered and dated affair lacking any credible driving finesse – things have changed. The new Santa Fe demonstrates just where the big H’s capabilities lie and indeed where their future is headed.
Taking on the likes of Kluger, Captiva, Outlander, Pathfinder, Sorento and Territory, Santa Fe faces some pretty stiff competition. All are similarly powered, specified, priced and have broadly similar capabilities – but when you’re up against such fierce competition, the devil is in the detail.
Santa Fe’s exterior styling is youthful, modern and fresh with smooth flowing lines, tough proportions and a quality finish that’s becoming pleasingly consistent across Hyundai’s entire range, but open the door and things become just a little peculiar.
Notice I didn’t say bad, far from it. Perhaps questionable, dated or intriguing would be more apt. For example the dashboard sports a giant faux wood grain fascia, the audio system has a cassette player (which led to a frivolous search for the gramophone) and the steering wheel controls don’t allow you to flick between station presets, instead offering seek only functionality.
Chad 09 sound OK, gee gonna miss that cherry wood grain.
Has the 09 mod still got a digital compass in the rear view mirror (what where they thinking) league as the cassette deck.
Still these quirks take nothing away from a great car.
Very happy Elite diesel owner
After driving a few other models like the Craptiva and the awesome Outlander, a hard decision but ordered Santa Fe today. Lightbult – will put another post on here when I have pics (will put them on Panorimo). Gave the Elite and the highly technological digital compass a miss…..a classic “What were they thinking”. SLX was awesome.
Hi JoshGeo:
Congratulations on your purchase & you have certainly bought a great car. Interestingly, today as I was walking past my local Hyundai dealer, I noticed a couple looking very closely at a Santa Fe & asked the lady if she was interested in that model. The lady told me that they were looking at the petrol model & if negotiations went well would buy it. I look forward to seeing those pictures & again you have bought one of the best cars in this class.
Cheers !
Does anyone know if the new 2009 model has actually arrived in Australia yet? Where can I see one?
This car is fantastic, Hyundai have really improved their product and in my opinion are deserving of a better reputation then they already have.
I have a 2007 SX Diesel manual, now done 37.5k. It would have to be one of the best cars I have ever owned. I previously had a large Trailer Sailer and had a petrol Prado and then a diesel Pajero for towing. After selling the boat I kept the Pajero for a while and then wanted to downsize to a similar style SUV. I particularly wanted a diesel for improved torque for towing (have just recently purchased a 4.8m alum runabout, and wanted to be able to easily launch the yacht club rescue boats etc) and also economy. The competition at the time was Jeep Commander or Captiva, and the Santa Fe won hands down for overall quality. Didn’t want extra seats (older kids) and wanted heaps of out of the way storage, so it had to be the SX model, fake woodgrain and cassette player doesn’t worry me, just find it very comfortable to drive longer distances (I regularly drive a 340kms round trip most weeks), economy is great – about 34mpg most of the time. Only gripe is the position of reverse in the manual box. Although it has a lockout, it is very close to first and it is very difficult to pick whether car is in reverse or first just by looking at the position of the gearlever. Oh, and the plastic marks very easily. Have ditched the dealer servicing as it was costing 50% more than the Pajero used to cost to service. Overall, why isn’t everyone driving one of these?????
Sounds like a great vehicle.
I am looking at the Elite D 2.2 engine. I tow a 16ft boat.
I have been used to towing with a 3.5 petrol Nissan Maxima, Will this do the job as well?
Interesting reading above….I am almost sold on getting one. The local dealer has a Dec 07 Elite demo model with 5000km.
He is asking $38990aus…is this too much?
Also does anyone know what the re-sale is like, I usually turn mine over every 3-4 years, I would imagine diesel would hold value better!
Cheers for any info.
AL
Folks…Its fantastic following all your comments and knowledge in this blog. I am close to buying the 09 Elite 2.2 diesel. I see various comments that it has good towing ability. Would that include towing a van at 1.6-1.7 tonnes?
Still enough grunt? many tks
I own a 2007 SLX CRDi auto and have to say that it is a superb vehicle. The more I drive it, the more I am glad that I chose it.
It has been on soft sand (Bribie Island, Straddie and others), mud, on all sorts of out-of-the-way tracks and trails, and it has never felt anything less than sure footed. It’s very much at home on the highway too, and returns ridiculous fuel economy (best seen so far is 6.5l/100km), almost got to Sydney from Brisbane on a tank full recently.
Performance off the line is better than reasonable, more than once I have embarressed a little boy in his Commodore at the lights.
The 7 seats have come in handy many times, and do fit an adult, albeit no 6+ footers will fit in there. I think it’s good looking too, and don’t have an issue with the blue lights or fake wood. Will hopefully be getting a 2009 model in August!
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 and American competitors ? Has anyone had a reasonably trouble free 80,000 km 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 ?
Can experienced owners help me with my Queries ? thanks
Roy our 2007 CRD is almost up to 50 clicks and no problems to report. It can beat all competitors at half the purchase price and half the service cost.
No issues re brakes or tranny etc
Update we had a problem with our Santa Fe CRDi. A carboned up or sticky PCV or similar emmission valve caused the engine to run like water in the fuel briefly at start up. Once fault was id & cleaned all sorted by Hyundai service crew & very happy.
I’ve got 2007 crdi elite, owned it since 38k km to now about 50k km., extremely happy with it. Done many 300k trips non stop… great car. Only issue I had was witht the service personnel at one of the Hyundai dealers, ordinary at best.
My husband wants to buy a Elite but I prefer Kluger. I do worry about the safety at the 3rd for 7 seater. Any comment?
I have had a 2007 model company crdi santa fe and it has been a great car,
just coming around to the 100000 k mark and had no issues at all.
although no none genuine brake pads are on the market and hyundai charges near the $1000 dollar mark for pads fitted.
i would by a santa fe and am considering taking this one off the companys hands at the end of the lease.
I got 2006 2.7lt v6 done 110k kms. Have issue with surging. No issues up to 90k km’s and was really pleased. Had new gearbox, torque convertor, three ecu’s and still not fix. Hyundai’s thought acceptable level, still under warrentee. Not happy. Looking at new car as I am writing this
This is a wonderful site. so helpful. Hubby and I are looking at a new car after down grading from a large 4wd we are now seeking something smaller. I had been told about the santa fe and told that they were a pretty good car. Had a look at one today and really liked it, priced at 42k though, is this too dear?
I dont think we would be buying one new, but would want something with very low kms. What is the best yr model to get if we are looking at a 2nd hand one?
I suggest you read all the reviews before deciding what car you want.