Hyundai Santa Fe Questions & Answers (page 4 of 4)

sorry mate cant answer this - we have a petrol model - the motor is reliable but we were told by Huyandai service people that the E10 petrol was the primary source of our issues with the motor - from what i understand the rest of the car is common between motor options.
make sure all the doors open with the remote and dont have a grinding sound and all the dash warning lights come on - found out the engine light is a common light to stay on and some no so reputable service people remove the lamp behind the dash to "remedy the problem".
also make sure the servicing has been done in the log book.

We have a 2014 model and after 5000kms no problems so far. This CRDI engine is the same as used in the earlier one. For its capacity is a smooth and powerful unit, albeit it a little noisey under strain, but very quiet when not. Because of the variable turbo, the nature of the engine can differ based on load, altitude and weather. A friend of ours has a 2011 model and no issues with the engine. I have read about bad diesel fuel affecting its commonrail system, but fill up at one of the premium brands (Caltex, BP, Shell) and you should be fine.

11.6 L / 100 km in city driving . Very good fuel economy for this size car . It does 4.9L / 100 KM on the freeway . Unbelievable .

The new Santa Fe gets a 9/10 for off-road by http://www.australiasbestcars.com.au and completed the famous Ghost Town trail in the USA. After looking at the Gibb River website, it looks like it should. Mine in a 2.2 turbo diesel.

I tow a 1.6 ton boat. I've towed this boat with a few different cars- Nissan patrol 4.5l petrol, mercedes sprinter 2.9l turbo diesel, Jeep cherokee 2.7l turbo diesel(merc engine) and my Santa fe tows it the best. The santa fe has no problem overtaking up hills and going past the speed limit when towing uphill! The above 3 cars are rated to tow 3.5 ton yet cant pull my boat as hard as the Santa fe!

Have heard of any as yet! Our car hasn't missed abeat

As in my recent review, only problems I found turned out to not be problems. The tailgate would not lock!! It was locked alright. The only problem was the person with the transmitter in his pocket!! Second problem was the temp for the climate control was set to degrees F. This is the default but the book tells you how to change to degrees C. Everything else I am very happy.

There was a recall for a faulty brake switch. It actually stops you from selecting reverse ....

My opinion maybe a little biased now that I have had one for a few months. We love our car and haven't regretted the purchase

SJ,
They aren't using a sales gimmick, I had a wait of about 3 months on my car due to the availability of the model in the colour I wanted. As for the price, shop around! I just had a quick look on Carsales.com.au and they have a white highlander for $53000.00 in W.A.
I brought mine under lease so my price was different, but when I looked at these I was given prices of around $45k / $46k for the Elite and $54k / $56k for the highlander. If you can do without the added extra's such as sunroof and driver IMS / heating seating I just buy the Elite and save yourself $10k. We love our elite and seriously who wants a heat seat, really! The elite is the same as the Highlander minus these few extra's. Good luck with the purchase, you'll love the car!

SJ,
The models are the same when it comes to mechanics, it's just the refinements that are different.
I can' fault my car at all and it's the turbo diesel, drives like a dream and is excellent on the fuel about 700 - 750km per tank on average on the open road. Like I have said in previous posts, just do it, you won't regret the purchase. I was a little skeptical at first being a brand snob, but Hyundai are quickly earning their stripes. I have a minor issue with a interior light which was fixed within 30minutes at the local dealer but that was to do with the after market install of the roof mounted DVD. I have read other reviews of people having issues with crackles in stereo speakers etc which came down to a loose wire and fixed a service. The service is impeccable, cannot fault it at all. The fixed price servicing from memory is about $386 per service for 3 years. With the other warranties Hyundai offer you can't go wrong.

Scott

The other thing to consider is the difference between the Elite and Highlander both in price and extras. The price jumps from about $45000 for the Elite to over $50000 for the Highlander. The main differences in the cars are the sunroof, IMS drivers seat, Seat Heating, Headlight upgrade and a few other colour options.
Personal preference really! The price wasn't my factor, I wanted a roof mounted DVD for the kids and you can't have this in the Highlander due to the sunroof. So I saved myself over $5000

Thanks Scotty74, Can I ask, how many K's it has done?

Here is an idea, slow down! There is no where in Australia you can drive at 160kmph unless they have lifted the 130km limit on the sturt from Adelaide to Darwin which is the fast road limit in Australia. I usually get about 700 to 800 from a tank a I drive in the outback, I actually am currently 1800km from home at present. The tank doesn't worry me at those distances as I have a break from driving when I refuel. But if you need to go further carry a jerry can. Out of interest do you have the diesel or unleaded? The trip tronic I haven't had much need to use it. If I need the little extra torque when I overtake road trains I use it to build up speed quickly then put it back. With all due respect, it sounds like you flog the s@it out your car and you need a performance racing car and not the Santa Fe

You can but its a bit tight. I would recommend something bigger for 3 kids. SUV range I would say the territory for space.

Jana,
Just to let you know, I also considered the Dodge Journey as the price was about right. My personal opinion, if you are looking at this car DON'T! I read several reviews which all highlighted an issue with the brakes on the vehicle and when I confronted a dealer about it he also acknowledge that they have been an issue on the model and require regular replacement.
Also consider Mitsubishi Challenger, I have heard nothing but good things about these cars, it was the other car i was considering if I was to go the 4x4. My advice find someone down the street driving the car you are considering buying and ask them, it's where you are going to get you best/worst opinions from. I did on all the cars and people are more than happy to share their experiences with you.

I just had a thought, take the car for a test drive and put the seats in the back to see how they fit. My other concern would be storage in the boot for a family of 5. However one other review below said they are touring with a caravan and 3 kid seats in the back. I also considered the Dodge Journey as the price was about right. My personal opinion, if you are looking at this car DON'T! I read several reviews which all highlighted an issue with the brakes on the vehicle and when I confronted a dealer about it he also acknowledge that they have been an issue on the model and require regular replacement.
Also consider Mitsubishi Challenger, I have heard nothing but good things about these cars, it was the other car i was considering if I was to go the 4x4. My advice find someone down the street driving the car you are considering buying and ask them, it's where you are going to get you best/worst opinions from. I did on all the cars and people are more than happy to share their experiences with you.

You bet, there is plenty of room in the back for a dog. You can get a grid as well to separate the boot from the back seats to stop dogs from scratching the back seat head rest areas. I would highly recommend this car. These cars have proven their reliability over and over and I am so happy with mine...

Your dog will fit in the back of this car, if in doubt take one for a test drive to your house and put him in the back to see. Remember it is a considerable outlay you are making be sure it's right for you.

I know how you feel. just selling my 97 Rav 4 and purchased second hand 07 hyundai santa fe. commfortable to drive as for fitting your alsation in the back ok for 5 seats but not if using all 7 seats, our dog is a beagle so it is a lot smaller than your dog.

I have a Disco 3 and a SanteFe (originally the 2006-2013) and now the latest model. The Sante Fe is a lot lower and smaller and doesn't really compare to the Disco. It will pull the trailor no problem if it is break assisted but you should be looking at something a little bigger if you want to replace the Disco. Hyundai had the Terracan at one stage; or the Toyota Prado might be a better option?

we have a santa fe 2.2 manual diesel and halfway around Australia towing a 1.5 ton caravan and 3 car seats in the back for the 3 little ones... All really good except some uneven tyre wear on the rear passenger side, not sure yet what is causing that, otherwise its fine

I don't think it is critical but the engineering of the vehicle is such that the way the car is driven in the first 2000km determines the seating of various components in the system. Overloading it in its early stages are wear and tear will affect the life span of the entire engine. Personally I wouldn't do it, you could get away with it, but who knows what damage is done long term. Engineers say these things for good reasons, they have seen the test results and the long term results of cars that are loaded within their run in period, and ones that haven't - who am I to go against the results they are seen?

Sorry I'm not qualified to answer that ask Hyundai - they are the ones that say nay or yay to warranty after all! but no we didn't...we waited :)

Ian, has it right. It's like any new car you have to run them in a little that's why you have a 1500km service.

Check the fuses, you might have blown one when putting th battery back in.

No issues to date

Happened to my brother with an i30. Replaced the towering wheel, but he said it was expensive...

It should pose no problems at all. Load the trailer carefully so that it's tow bar heavy by about 10%. It reduces the tendency to sway

Great towing cars!

I have not heard of this, but suggest contact Hyundai. From an engineering stand-point, they should be in favour of the WDH, since it balances the whole combination and keeps the tow-bar down-force within limits. That's the whole point of the WDH as I understand it. I can't think of any valid reason why anybody would be against them.

Hyundai Do Not recomment WDH to be fitted to Santa Fe. They have towing capacity of 2000kg braked with towball load of 150kg
Our 2010 model tows 15'van with ease, much better than pevious
V6 Rav4 with towing range almost double of the Rav.
The current model diesel engine was introduced late 2009

Double check . . . but Hyundai web page says (2013 model) 100kg on the towball max . . . 2000kg towing is O/K, but most vans etc this mass will have over 150kg on the ball (probably more like 180kg - 10% rule of thumb) Check you are towing legally.

Hi there. We are not aware if you can, but I'm am sure if you contact Hyundai themselves they will give you a professional opinion. Best to get the proper answer rather than do it and it all be unsafe for your children. Kathy

Hi there
I'm afraid I can't answer your question as I was down to two car seats when we got the santa fe. My oldest child who no longer needs a seat has more space between the two seats than she did in the Camry.
Hope this helps. Cheers

Yes! we have 2 safe and sound maxi riders and a safe and sound car seat along the 2nd row! There isnt much room to spare but they fit! :)