I have owned 3 Hyundai SantsFe models. All have been base models. The was a 2002. It was very nice an I was very happy with it. In December of 2006 I was run into by a Vehicle cpmi g from s side street. My vehicle was declared a total loss. I had a blister on my thumb from the sir bag. I went and purchased another a 2007 in December of 2006. That be lasted me 13 years until this past July when I purchased a 2019 SanteFe, base model. The features are wonderful and my economy is out of site. After ,6500 miles overall I'm averaging 28.8PG. I will admit I am 74 years old but this mileage is just great and the vehicle is just awesome. Quiet is a term used with this model. I cannot hear ANY ROAD NOISE ON CONCRETE OR ASPHALT while driving. Seats are VERY COMFORTABLE and ride is awesome. Thank think of a better vehicle.. Thanks for letting me tell my story.
Good to hear. We have 4 Kias and have had great experience as well. We have 2012 Sorento, 2014 Sportage, 2016 Forte5, and 2018 Forte. Hyundai/Kia make fantastic cars. Hope you are doing well, Tom
We have the 2019 Santa Fe Ultimate, and after driving the CRV, and the Edge, it was the best feel on the road. We have zero regrets, and would buy it if given a do over. The safety features do take a little to get used to. Like the white line detection, if you sway near the white line on the road, the steering wheel is nudged by the SUV, and it takes a bit to get use to your wheel being taken over by your vehicle. It scars you a little ata first. The hologram type of display that appears in the windshield to show your speed, plus the posted speed limit, is a nice touch. I am pretty sure that other information appears in that display as well, and it might be configurable just like everything else. It went for approx 36k, and we got it for $32k. It was a very good deal.
I just bought a used 2019 Santa Fe SEL Plus with 14,500 miles. One Owner No damage or accidents and in mint condition, I paid $26k out the door including TTF and a 100k bumper to bumper warranty and lifetime powertrain.
@@pepstein I think it looks great! The new Sante Fe has a much more aggressive and masculine look to it. Hyundai is pulling off a great look with that light configuration, a look Jeep just couldn't make happen. While I'll admit that I never really hated the Jeep Cherokee look, I think Hyundai nailed it. For those who hate this light configuration, I say just pretend that the uppers are the headlights and all will be OK. Realistically, it doesn't matter where the light is coming from as long as it's a quality light.
East Coast Resident.....Owning one I agree, but I would prefer the rear turn signals incorporated up and into the tail lights....Otherwise I'm happy with the S-F.....
My biggest complaint on this is the interior design, transmission that cannot find gears it should be in and the sensitive auto stop. Try pulling this into a garage where the engine keeps stopping on you. It’s a headache
I test drove a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe FWD Limited and totally fell in love with it. Now it isn't the first cross over that I have test-driven. I came close to purchasing a RAV4 but decided to wait to make a final decision after I test drove the Santa Fe. The Santa Fe (for me) is so much better. I love how quiet it is, how well it rides and the air vents in the back cargo area will be great for my dogs.
I rented the 2.4 base model from airport, for a week. I drive almost 800 miles for 10 days. It shows 27mpg avg. I'm very pleased with the new 8 speed transmission, The suspension is soft and pillow like ride. Brake is good and drive around curves flat. The auto cruze control and emergeny braking and blank spot warming are statndard on the base model, which surprised me! It's good value for the money! I like it
Alex your reviews are absolutely comprehensive & complete!...I've watched a lot of car reviews and yours are incredibly detailed with all the specs one could ever need to decide on which vehicle to purchase. Keep up the great work, always look forward to your fair and unbiased views!!!
Yes that's the reason i only listen too Alex. His reviews are VERY VERY thorough and leave you feeling more reassured about your potential purchase of the vehicle your interested in.
We just looked at the CRV and Santa Fe. We liked the Satna Fe a lot more. We both thought the Honda in top line trim looked plasticy and cheap, and the fake wood was awful. The Santa Fe on the other hand has an interior that I would say is entry level luxury. Head and shoulders above the Honda in both features and appearance, and that was the top of the line limited, which to be fair is a bit more expensive. We chose the buy the Santa Fe, which we will be picking up soon.
since Palisade will have v6 and compete with Explorer and Pilot, Santa fe's 2.0t engine looks enough for me...And I like that lowered headlamps as some SUVs' high positioned lamps literally torture my eyes in night
@@swanblake I like that they brought it back and it's a strictly 5 passenger SUV with a standard V6, I just wish they didn't style it so closely to the Pilot. I definitely have mixed feelings about the new Passport.
I looked at the Santa Fe last week. Liked it a lot. Would definitely buy it over a CR-V (with the turbo 4 wheel drive version). While the lower gas mileage is a consideration it is not a deal breaker. Hyundai is willing to bargain as well. The interior is very nice. Unfortunately the higher end version has a panoramic moonroof (which sucks).
Agreed - a panoramic sunroof is a big negative for those of us who live in the most Southern states. In addition, looks like Hyundai marketing jerks decided to pull a stunt like Kia Sorento used to do - you can't get navigation unless you get the highest level of trim. Morons....
Alex, I know the manufactures like to give you the top of the line models but can you get and review the most sold/ popular models...like the 2.4 as in this case for most of us who are in the majority to seriously consider buying. Especially since your channel is more of a practical buyers review.
The new style had to grow on me. I test drove one and was absolutely impressed with how solid and luxurious it felt. It looks a lot better in person. I wish it just had an optional V6. Not a fan of turbos or the 234 hp with that kind of gas mileage. Will probably trade in my 2013 CR-V for one.
After two years of looking, test driving (about 30 different vehicles with, at times, differing criteria), reading everything about a wide range of vehicles, watching a myriad of Alex's videos (around 45 or so), and also being a former dirt track racer and an all around car junkie, we purchased an SEL+ AWD. Roomier cabin the CR-V, RAV4, CX-5 and Cherokee, better driving dynamics than the Murano, Edge or Highlander, better price than the Forester or Outback, not an FCA (although FCA is getting their quality control and engineering act together), and the price was right due to the discounts. MSRP of $32,800, deal price of $26,300 and out the door at $28,900; incentives abound if one waits for the right month. It is exactly, without compromise, what the lovely wanted; my only issue is fuel economy. So, thank you, Alex, for your video compilations; they are of immense benefit.
I'm one that is very vocal in my dislike of the tablet style infotainment screens, though I do appreciate the insight on why they're designed the way they are. I still think they should be designed in a more appealing way, especially in the luxury segment.
Used this video as the deciding factor to help my mom buy a brand new 2020 Santa Fe this month (March 21’) and we could not be happier!! Dealer was offering year-end closeouts and we got almost 5k off the sticker! Fully loaded for 32k, plus the warranty can’t be beat.
The blind spot monitor picks up vehicles faster and give you a larger area to move around safer than any of brand. All the safety systems seem to be better integrated than almost all other brands.
For those that are just now looking for a 2020 SF, We just upgraded from a 2014, to the 2020 Limited 2.0T. Our highway gas mileage is just at 31.8 MPG highway, and about 24 City. So def far better than what they are advertising, and better than the 2014's 2.4L performance in my experience. Lot's of tech in the new one to help stretch the MPG out.
Agree. Those fuel economy numbers are brutal, especially when in same class as Rav4 hybrid which gets 40mpg! Turbos never get rated MPG either unfortunately, unless you're extra light on the pedal.
@@Ripper13F1V I just bought the 2020 SF 2.0T limited as well. Upgraded from 2013 2.0T. I must say it was a huger upgrade to me! Not as sporty, but just feels so luxurious
@@TheKauaiboyz51 we did the upgrade to the 2.0L a few months ago from the 2014 2.4L, it def is luxurious, and has much more get up and go in sport mode. And they nailed the luxury part of the interior.
It's going to be interesting to see the new Palisade and the Kia Telluride. The Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento are essentially the same vehicle with somewhat different variations on the "Goldilocks" size theme. I suspect that the Palisade and the Telluride may follow the same pattern. The new Pallisade appears to be aimed at a "premium" or "near luxury" mainstream market. The Telluride promises to be a more "adventure" themed vehicle. Hyundai and Kia seem to have a strategy to offer vehicles aimed at slightly different market segments based on the same platforms.
I have owned three Lexus RX...we have a 2007 Lexus RX 350 now..it is extremely cramped and uncomfortable for long road trips....by the time we get to our destination my back and legs are cramping and I can barely walk...my husband is 6'4" and he doesn't fit comfortably in the passenger seat at all so he always has to be the driver... looking at this Santa Fe for more room and better mpg...btw..our Lexus RX has 300,000 miles on it...great reliability... just freaking ready to upgrade... good luck.
The Santa Fe needs to be seen in person to appreciate, I didn't like it until I saw it in person . Ended up with a Limited 2.0T . My only gripe with the 2.0 T is , when you initially push the accelerator .There is a delay before you feel anything happen, once you are rolling , no issues. I think it pulls it around pretty well .
I was waiting for a review on this vehicle from you (for a while) before I could buy it. But ended up buying it one day before the review was posted. However, I am glad to see my thoughts validated by Alex :) We love the car. It is quite comfortable. We surprisingly found the hwy gas mileage close to 30 rather than 25mpg on our 2.0L turbo. So far pleased. One car I was comparing this to was the Subaru Outback (which I still believe trumps this car in a utility sense, gas mileage, cargo area, space, symmetric AWD, etc). We picked this as this was the sexier sister between the two (with panoramic roof and other in cabin niceties) - well sometimes wife gets the vote :)
abghere: Blame the weight of the Santa Fe. The AWD turbo4 is actually slightly heavier than its corporate cousin, the Kia Sorento 3 row crossover. And it's about 700 lbs (!) heavier than a Honda CRV AWD. That's like hauling around a couple of NFL linemen in the back seat. Edit: The comment above about the Santa Fe being heavier than the Sorento and 700 lbs heavier than a CRV is incorrect. It was based on a google search for the Santa Fe's weight. The result of that search placed the weight at over 4300 lbs. A more thorough search indicates the actual weight is between 4100 and 4200 lbs. That is still very heavy compared to a CRV, for example, but it's more like 500 lbs rather than 700 lbs. Just wanted to set the record straight.
I have the ultimate 2019 front wheel drive turbo I am getting 27-29 My 2014 Veloster only got 26 !!!! and the Sante Fe is easily 4 times as big plus gas in Houston is only 1.79 Who is complaining about gas mileage? Good grief people spend 5 bucks for a cup of coffee!!!
I just drove from Tennessee to New York and averaged 32mpg over 1000 miles with the 2.4L in my 2019 Santa Fe. I’m more than happy with that number. And that’s me actually measuring myself and not going by the dash. The dash said I averaged 33.9
@@eddiefniii Everyone doesn't live in Houston, Eddie. And many folks, even some in Houston, are concerned about air pollution, global warming, and lining the pockets of oil companies.
I've got 2 hyundais including a Santa Fe limited. They are good cars but not top notch. My SANTA FE drives like butter and very comfortable. However they drink quite a bit and more expensive to repair than Honda or Toyota (almost like Saabs where you have to take out a lot of stuff before you get to a component you need to replace i.e. $$$labour$$$ try the alternator). For instance the 2009 santa fe fuel gauge goes at around 80k on almost all of them. They put 2 fuel sensors and costs $800+ to fix for a KNOW PROBLEM. My Elentra 2013 was drinking over 13L/100km. For a compact car it is a guzzler. Eventually Hyundai admitted there was an error on the printing of the EPA results 8L/100KM (yeah right) so they started cutting cheques to owners. Hyundai sells their cars less then Honda/Toyota but they ding you big time on maintenance. That's my opinion, someone else might have a different experience.
@@sassaidi I somewhat agree with you. I've been happy with both the Hyundai Elantra I had and the Kia Sedona we currently have but I think the money we saved on these vehicles at initial purchase, is slowly being clawed back by Hyundai/Kia in maintenance intervals. I really feel that the Sedona is top notch in its category for ride, handling, feature content and build quality but maintenance intervals are intense and frequent. Oil change every 6000 km is rediculious with modern lubricants and engines.
Great review Alex. Hyundai is really killing it these days. Can’t wait to see your review of the all new 2024 Santa Fe. Love the styling of the latest model.
Just picked up this exact model. Tons of power on tap. Fit and finish is fantastic and cabin is luxury car quiet. I had bought a new ‘19 Forester sport and ended up getting rid of it after 3 months for this. This is our 3rd Santa Fe. Our other Santa Fe is a 2013 Limited and is still going strong at 115k. Only repairs have been wheel bearings, alternator and brake pads.
Front Headlight and Rear Turns Signal placement all but guarantees expensive damage from the slightest parking lot incident. While I agree it looks cool, I'm going with the Sorrento for exactly this reason.
Always great reviews !! The 2019/2020 SantaFe is actually a 2-door Kia Sorento with the infotainment screen moved higher. I’m at the end of my 3-yr lease of a 2017 Sorento SX and I have been staring at exact same buttons and dials throughout Sorento as the Santa Fe. This is not a bad thing, just pointing it out because I’m interested in the Santa Fe. The Sorento has been bullet proof. Not one thing wrong in over 32,000 miles. I wish they would bring out a 2-row Palisade or Telluride like VW is doing with the new Atlas Cross. In the mean time, I’m looking closely at the Santa Fe. Love your reviews, Alex.
Alex, I find the Santa Fe interior stylish, bordering on elegant. Looks like a comfortable place to spend time. The tablet format of the infotainment screen also allows the passenger to operate the system, as I (as a driver) often ask the passenger riding "shotgun" to play music DJ so I can focus on the road. Awesome video, thanks for the upload.
Excellent, thorough, professional, comprehensive review... as always. The comparisons section at the end was particularly interesting because I'm trying to decide between the Tucson and the Santa Fe.
Interesting comparative video. We are looking at the Santa Fe, QX50, RDX, GLC300 and about everything else in this compact SUV category. As a Genesis owner, I am in full agreement that the Santa Fe offers a lot of value for the money. As with the Genesis, if panache is less important that form and function, then I think that the Santa Fe is a prudent choice.
Hi Alex, I always enjoy your videos, detailed oriented as usual. I was wondering if by any chance do you know when the PHEV Santa Fe will launch? Thank you and keep up with the good job.
i like this new Santa Fe, but for a car this heavy to be running with a little 4 cylinder just doesn't seem right. That's why we purchased the Kia Sorento AWD with the V6 and 8 speed. We're still getting about 22-23 mpg without trying. The Sorento may have those vestigial third row seats, but come on; how many people actually use them? We surely never will.
You appear to be one of the few folks who recognize that the Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are essentially variations on the same vehicle. We, too, went with the Sorento in part because of the naturally aspirated V6. I do disagree a bit with regard to the third row seats, though. As a family of three plus a big dog we don't need the third row regularly, either. And few midsize crossovers (including the Pilot, CX-9, and the Highlander) offer a third row that's suitable for more than five passengers plus gear for a trip.) But the Sorento's third row is actually bigger than either the CX-9 and the Highlander. And we find it convenient when we're chauffeuring our 14 y/o daughter and several of her friends or going out with another family for dinner. (Eliminates the need for a second vehicle.)
Alex, given the proliferation of semi-autonomous driving features, would you consider adding some review points for the adaptive cruise control and lanekeeping systems for newer cars? Theres quite a variance in both systems. Some ACC units cut off below ~40kph, some come to a stop but won't resume, others will (either on their own or at the press of a button). Some lanekeeping systems simply pingpong between the lane markers while others hold in the middle of the lane. It would be nice to get an idea of the capabilities of different manufacturers/models.
Very good comment. I have a subaru outback. And I'm very happy in general with the adaptive cruise control and auto emergency braking. But I tested a KIA niro and after a complete stop, you have to put your foot on the brake. On the Outback it will hold with the electric emergency brake and it will start on it's own if stopped less than 5 seconds. If stopped for more, you either tap the gas pedal or press the resume button on the steering wheel. Lane keep assist on the Subaru is ok, not like a ping pong, also not keeping you in the center. Sometimes it will scare you. So these features alone kept me from buying the KIA (plus reading on the Niro forums that at least 3 people had accidents that the auto emergency braking should have prevented). These safety features are very important for some buyers. And understanding how they behave would be a very valuable insight. Especially that most dealerships would not allow you to test the auto emergency braking. We are still searching for a second car and these safety features and how they work is one of the main decision factors. Waiting on the new RAV4 to test these.
Ive tested many.. Tesla being the best, Volvo and MB both have semi autonomous driving features. Other brands, like all the japanese and korean cars have lane keep assist which is almost completly lagging auto steering feature.
@@hahahacho9474 I got to test some of these systems a while back when suv hunting and both the Hyundai Sante fe and the Honda Pilot have lane keep assist that will tug you back into the lane, although I found the new Sante Fe to be the most pronounced and comfortable to use. The Honda system in the pilot worked but gets over on the line before there's any intervention. I felt the Hyundai system was more dialed in without being overbearing. The Toyota Tacoma I had out for a test drive had the lane departure warning but did not actively correct, presumably because the Tacoma still utilizes hydraulic power steering.
I think that's a great idea! The driver assist and safety systems now being included as standard equipment on modern vehicles are becoming the very thing that automotive manufacturers use to set themselves apart from the competition. We now know that most, if not all, new vehicles include these systems as standard but they differ quit a bit in how effective and intrusive they are. I personally experienced how vastly different Hyundai's system was from the Honda systems. If people are purchasing a vehicle based on the suite if safety features, they really deserve to know if one system really shines over another.
I chose the CX-9 over this. It does have a lot of nice features but the CX-9 feels like its in another glass with better power application for it's turbo 4. It just works.
Nice understated look. I really like the storage spaces in the trunk and also like the interior layout especially the dashboard. If I was shopping. However, a 3.3l v6 option matched with the 8 speed gearbox would have been great.
I bought the Tucson Sport which has white pearl not available on other trim levels, saved me money and gives me more walk around space in the garage, plus it has cool wheels.
This is how everyone should do reviews, an actual apples to apples comparison to competition in its class. Saying a car is "good" is irrelevant if there's nothing to compare against.
Compared to the Honda CR-V, I think you'll be pleased with the seats, legroom & visibility in this Santa Fe, AND, wait for it.... in the higher levels of trim, the Santa Fe passenger seat actually has a HEIGHT adjustment, so you won't feel like you're sitting on the floor like you do in a Honda CR-V Touring!!!! Don't tell Toyota or Honda about this.... their penny-pinching management will have a coronary!
While I really like the Santa Fe (Sport), one of things I liked about it was the available V6 motor option; my preferred engine. Sadly that is now gone in this new 2019 model, as the auto industry takes yet another step towards the universal adoption of the Turbo 4-Popper.
@AlexOnAutos- Not sure about the comparisons to Grand Cherokee. The Jeep is RWD, has far more sophisticated 4WD systems, standard V6 power, optional V8s, tows 7400lbs, is larger, far more luxurious in Overland and up trims, etc. They only true similarity is the two-row seating. And using that logic, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, and other like-sized SUVs are competitors too. But the Edge, Blazer, and Murano definitely are due to being FWD-based and similar size.
Excellent review! I really appreciate the “charts” or visual information comparing other vehicles. I’m ready to replace my 2011 Cadillac SRX and will test drive the Santa Fe and the Tucson, Ford Edge and the Escape as well. The warranty on the Hyundai really impresses me. I also want better fuel economy than my current vehicle. Wish me luck. :)
I test drove the 2019 Santa Fe SEL, 2018 CR-V EX, 2018 CX-5 Touring, and 2018 Rogue SV Premium. On the Santa Fe, I had absolutely no complaints. Controls were easy to use, it was comfortable and quiet, and safety features had just the right amount of sensitivity. Then I drove the CX-5, and I had a few complaints; the infotainment was cumbersome and BSM was too sensitive, but it was so refined and the interior was so good, I actually liked it better overall. The Rogue was ok, and I ranked my drive similar to the Santa Fe, but I'm concerned about Nissan's quality. The CR-V had the best grades overall for me, nothing to complain about, much more efficient than the Santa Fe and almost as refined as the CX-5, but I'm still stuck between the CR-V and CX-5, especially since I think I can get the CX-5 for less due to incentives. I think the Santa Fe would work better for me if I had a big family, but between myself, my fiance, and a small dog there's no point in getting the Santa Fe over the best compact crossovers. The Tucson did not qualify because I wanted adaptive cruise control, which you only get on the highest trim.
Ramon, I'm in the same position as you. Tested and condensed my considerations down to the CR-V, CX-5 & the Santa Fe; in that order. It now comes down to the $. I do dislike the fact I am losing some cargo space with the CX-5 compared the the other two, but the driving experience was better. What did you end up going with.
@@dandoyel2548 I got the CR-V and I have no regrets. I get 30 mpg in mixed driving and every time I use the touch screen while Apple CarPlay is on, I'm thankful it works while driving (the Mazda's touch screen is disabled when driving). Mine seems to warm up pretty quickly, so I'm confident it won't have the oil dilution problem. This may sound strange, but in a way I'm glad it's not as nice in the inside as the CX-5 because I want something I don't mind getting a little messy and having dogs in the car. All 3 cars you mentioned have their strengths. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
In Australia, we have 7 seats in this car. I think that's a better option than the hidden compartment. Also we have paddle shifters at the back of the steering. And we have diesel here. The torque is so addictive.
Quite a thorough review Alex. Glad that you pointed out how it is an in between size vehicle with lots of value. That you highlighted the rear under space (very convenient and spacious) - a gem. This is my 3rd Santa Fe and quality has been excellent thus far and found all a bit more plush and roomy by comparison. As you mentioned, lots of safety features included (they don’t make you need to purchase the upper trim model to get all the safety). I too noticed the almost luxury level quietness and very solid build. I like the locking Diff. and the little side view windows in front of side mirrors for added visibility. I find the 8 spd. is smoother and quieter than my previous 6 spd. And getting noticeably better fuel economy (2.0L turbo in this and last version) Overall, very pleased with this fully redesigned CUV.
Hyundai and Kia have never been fuel efficiency champs. Though it must be said that the new KIA Forte hits 40 mpg in DOT testing. It's fair to say, I think, that the Korean manufacturers haven't prioritized fuel efficiency compared to other engineering aspects. And frankly, I think they believe they're better off investing in electrification than in improving technology in internal combustion engines. But in the case of the Santa Fe, there's another more specific issue. The Santa Fe actually weighs more than a comparable Kia Sorento (almost 4400 lbs), its 3 row cousin. That's about 700 lbs(!) more than a Honda CRV. It's the equivalent of carrying a couple of NFL lineman around in the back seat.
@@Mhike-m2x True. I'm no fan of CVT's but there's no denying that they can be programmed to offer superior fuel efficiency. Further, manufacturers, including KIA, have significantly improved the performance of CVT's in recent years.
Lower headlight placement also means better visibility and less glare in heavy fog. Some of us have that as an issue. But it also means a better chance of damage from objects on the road.
I'm not sure it's an engine thing, it may be the driveline losses. I think Hyundai/Kia uses cheap fluids that are not assisting with efficiency. I don't mean to say that their fluids are inexpensive or total trash, only that they may not be carefully selected or engineered to have certain characteristics that will increasing efficiency. This is just my suspicion as I have no evidence to support that conclusion but lubricant quality has vastly improved over the last decade or so and properly selected fluids and greases can help with driveline losses by reducing friction even more. Just recently my Kia dealer had to change the cv axle grease in my wife's van due to a binding issue that had us on our 5th pair of CV axles in under 72,000 km. At first I wasn't very optimistic that changing the grease would even help the condition but my dealer notified me that Kia Canada had instructed them to use a synthetic grease that they had sent and install it in all affected vehicles and lo and behold it actually worked. My first question was, why isn't the axle manufactured with this Synthetic Grease? I thought manufacturers were supposed to be chasing down every possible efficiency gain. We haven't had a single axle failure since the grease was changed to synthetic and this may be in my head but I believe we may have picked up some driveline efficiency that we can see in the fuel economy calculator. This is not scientific but our average fuel consumption has gone from 11.5L/100km to 11.2L/100km. These are the small gains that separate manufacturers like Toyota, Honda and Nissan from the likes of Hyundai and Kia. You are getting a feature-packed vehicle with a pretty darn good quality reputation for thousands less than any Japanese vehicle but they are constantly falling just a little shy of the Japanese efficiencies. Money has to be saved somewhere and I believe Hyundai is speccing inferior lubricants. Not substandard lubricants but maybe they don't think it's worthwhile using more expensive fluids to gain minor efficiency. I could be totally wrong.
he Hyundai plant in Montgomery, AL starts production of the next gen Theta III engines this summer and I've read they are for the Santa Fe and Sonata. Look for 1 or both engines to be replaced for 2020 and fuel economy to increase.
We have a 2020 Santa Fe SEL 2.0t awd. It's great. Totally recommend getting the 2.0t motor. The espresso grey interior looks great and feels more upscale that it is.
I have a 2018 Honda CRV EX and am very disappointed in how small it is. I read all the reviews and test drove it several times. It certainly has a great interior style and quality and gets about 31mpg consistently. but at 6.1 the roof feels right on top of my head even with the seat down as far as it can go. Hip and shoulder room is also cramped. Your review here was really excellent and I appreciate all the detail you went into. I should have bought a Hyundai Santa Fe, just bought a year too early now that the 2019 has a redesign.
The 2.4 Santa Fé, is the most intelligent option as far as medium size cross over is concerned... Fo the prive it gives a lot for the money... the competition up, explorer and grand cherokee and below, CR-V and RAV 4 can not beat.... 2.4 liter engine with a 8 speed automatic... that is the winning reciepe....
Just picked up our new 2.4L AWD Ultimate yesterday. Tried both engines, my wife preferred the naturally aspirated one as it's power delivery is much more linear and quieter overall. On our 30 mile drive home, we averaged 28.7 mpg at 70 mph. Will be interesting to see how it does as we put some miles on it.
Alex, very nice review and much better than others, but it would be awesome to review the Adaptive cruise control feature. No one seems to be talking about it when it so important for high traffic driving.
As a Kia Sorento owner I'm struck by the similarities and differences between the Santa Fe and the Sorento. The two vehicles are almost exactly the same size. (The Santa Fe is about one inch shorter.) They share the same chassis and the same AWD systems including the center differential locking feature. The switch gear (e.g. climate control, infotainment content, etc) all come from the shared Hyundai/KIA parts bins. Anyone familiar with the Sorento will feel at home in the Santa Fe. On the other hand KIA dropped the two row seat and turbo 4 options when the Santa Fe was introduced. Most Sorentos are fitted with a V6, an option not available in the Santa Fe. KIA plans to add a diesel option for the Sorento in North America in the 2019 model year; no such plans for the Santa Fe. The top SX-L version of the Sorento has more luxury touches than the "Ultimate" Santa Fe. But the two row Santa Fe is significantly less expensive than the three row Sorento. It appears that Hyundai's Palisade will be both larger and more luxurious than the Sorento while the Kia Telluride will take a different route with a more "rugged" upscale crossover. All in all it appears that Hyundai and Kia have decided to split the baby in the Goldilocks CUV category between the Santa Fe and the Sorento. Looks like a strong strategy combining cost savings from shared engineering and parts with clear differentiation in model appeal and priorities.
Obviously this is top on my list for my next SUV. Waiting for a test drive in my home country. The headlights arrangement is what I'm not too sure about, but other reviewers have indicated that they are nicer in person that an show in pictures. The interior quality and warranty is what I look out for as I don't keep any car beyond 5years
Peter Newman when you see it in person, you may change your mind. I had the same reservation but in person this is a really good looking vehicle. Catches me off guard every time.
This car ticks pretty much all the boxes. But it shows me again the false economy (pun intended) of having a small highly stressed engine producing the required power versus a lower stressed larger engine. Twenty-two MPG from a 2 litre is lousy and the "gruff" engine sound under acceleration shows how hard that engine has to work.
I completely agree. There are certain occasions when a V8 engine will consume less fuel than its V6 counterpart and in saying that there are many occasions when these small engines will be working extremely hard just to perform daily tasks.
The gas mileage issue largely results from the Santa Fe's weight. At 4372 lbs (AWD) it's 700 lbs heavier than a Honda CRV. In fact, it's even a bit heavier than its corporate cousin than the three row Kia Sorento and within 120 lbs of the humungous VW Atlas. I'm a fan of 2L turbos in some applications (I have a GTI) but in vehicles such as this I prefer a naturally aspirated V6. That's one reason we chose the near identical Kia Sorento over the Santa Fe.
I have been stalking the SantaFe tough. And I KNOW that all you guys are screaming and warning that this 4cylinder turbo engine is too small for this crossover. And I hear you, then I keep coming back cuz I like the SantaFe soooo much and i don't thingk New 2018 V6 models will be available by the time I'm ready to test drive and purchase so i keep looking at this bad bad bad choice of a 2019 model....then I read comments like yours and they virtually smack some sense into me and remind me, "NO! BAD CHOICE! V6 or nothing!" LOL. -my way of saying thanks for sharing your knowledge and info. People like me need this info from generous knowledgeable people like you.
@@privateprivate5302 I look closely at fuel consumption. Not so much for cost reasons, it tells me how hard an engine needs to work to lug the car around. Any 2 litre that can't crack at least 28 MPG is overworked. Did you know a Porsche 911 gets 30 MPG in the EPA cycle?
Be aware that rear cross-traffic alert/blind spot monitoring, which was standard on the 2019 SE (base) model, has been dropped for 2020. It’s not even offered as an option on the SE; you must step up to the SEL trim level. And the 2019 rear seats slide and recline; for 2020 the slide feature was removed.
I recently bought the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL. I can’t recommend it to anybody because it’s really low powered. The car struggles to climb small hills. My old 2010 Toyota Corolla had more power than this. I won’t buy a Hyundai again.
Great review! Did a thorough walk through of this car at the LA Auto Show, since I'm considering it. Really like everything about it except for 2 things (at end). Since I'm in So. Cal., there are many dealers competing for your business. Have been able to price the Limited 2.0 Turbo with panoramic roof at right around $31K. Very tempting but 2 things holding me back. 1) Really holding out and wishful thinking that they might eventually add the V6. 2) First year of complete redesign, so maybe should wait for 2020 model after they work out the kinks and such.
There will be NO V6 . . . the name of the game is downsize and will be for years to come until all cars become electric and autonomous. Better get on with it or look somewhere else.
I got the Limited 2.0 Turbo in SoCal a week back. Car got surprisingly better Hwy mileage than advertised. Look at a Subaru Outback before you commit to this though.
Lakshminarasimhan Krishnan , thanks for the reply. Wondering, what are/is the reason you feel the Outback might be better? How’s the acceleration, specifically merging onto freeways with the 2.0T? I know that most of the time, suburban driving it should be fine. But, you know being in So. Cal., that getting on the freeway and merging into traffic, you need a little extra power. How about the Subaru Forester? Opinions? Thanks!
@@MrCapskins Space, Comfort and safety features (w/ blind spot package on Subaru ltd 2.5i) are very comparable between the two. Gas mileage, symmetric AWD and subaru's track record in reliability are the positives for the outback. Panoramic roof (less claustrophobic feeling in back seat) and longer warranty are positives for Santa Fe. The santa fe 2.0T is a little sticky from a stand-still, but once it gets going you start seeing the worth in going for 2.0T (all the more if u drive in hilly areas). Passing vehicles and merging onto freeways is done with ease. And I am so thankful for Adaptive cruise control + Active LKAS (be sure to choose active in settings) in LA traffic. I didn't check out the Forester as in my case we couldn't fit two adults + a car seat in the back of a Forester. Also, if you end up going for the Santa Fe, consider getting a maintenance package. Our dealer priced it ~850 bucks/5years. I think for dealership service every 5-6K miles in a Turbo engine, it's worth it.
Own a 19 Santa Fe Limited 2.0T AWD and absolutely love it! Luxury offerings at 30-40K less. This car rocks in every sense except ground clearance and gas mileage. I am so happy i compared and bought the Santa Fe. Didn't want the Panoramic Moonroof, but what are ya gonna do? All the Pros definitely outweigh the Cons!
Great review. Really like your grading system. Love the Santa Fe except for the fuel economy. This is an area that Hyundai & Kia do not seem to do very well on. Other than that they offer great values in their vehicles!
Test drove it. The sitting position behind the wheel is like in a sedan. Great visibility out the front window. Going to drive it again. Fairly quiet unless you floor it going up hill
Excellent review Alex. I watched your Tuscon video as well. Very helpful. Thank you! I have a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited with a V6 242hp and have no major issues but thinking about upgrading. It's been a great car but I was looking at the 2019 Tucson Sport or Limited but may need a little more cargo area and horsepower. I'm just a little concerned about the 2019 Santa Fe 2.4 at 185hp being underpowered and not sure about the 2.0 turbo. I owned a turbocharged engine back in the day and hated it. I also looked at the Mazda CX5 but can't get over the bad luck I had with a previous Mazda I owned. Not that I'm looking to break any speed records but a 4 cylinder seems pretty weak for what seems to be a slightly heavier vehicle. It sounds like you really like the 2019 Santa Fe. Does the base engine of the 2019 Santa Fe seem to have enough power? Would you ever give a 2017 or 2018 Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe a chance? I'm not convinced on the turbo thang though. I'd appreciate some feedback.
I was between the Santa Fe, CR-V, and Forester. I ultimately chose the Forester for its superior AWD and outward visibility. Santa Fe was really close and CR-V could have gotten the pick if it had a driver seat that fit me better.
Two thing deter me from buying - one is the base 2.4l which is well-underpowered even with a new 8 speed, so base level trims aren't a competitive option so as much as a penalty box or purely used for rental cars. The other is the bumper-level placement of the lighting front and rear which can be totally destroyed in a moderate fender bender. Still think the Mazda CX-5 is bar to beat in overall competency
I saw the Santa Fe at the dealership. It looks good and I know it will be a good seller but I cannot get over the tablet screen in the center of the dash. It's plain ugly to me.
How can people keep thinking Honda 1.5 Turbo as great engine. The true is 1.5 turbo have engineer defect. My mom needs to get a oil change every 1000 miles. Also in China Honda was forced to stop selling 1.5 Turbo because the defect. I don’t know why no one is talking about this problem. I just join law suite against Honda for this bad engine.
Overblown issue. They sell hundreds of thousands of these engined in the Civic and crv and less then 1% of them have had this issue and it looks like Honda is ifxing it.
The 1.5T was a big reason why my dad chose the Camry over the Accord, it's just one more point of failure and turbos are very hard on the oil. They are also noticeably more sensitive to oil quality, which leads to decreased turbo life and, eventually, turbo malfunction.
I'm not sure it's a good idea to place the headlights and front and rear turn signals so low on the body. Thirty years ago, a high-mounted third brake light was mandated to place it in the range of vision of drivers following. It seems to me that these lower-mounted lights on the Santa Fe will be less likely to be seen by other drivers, and therefore cause potential accidents.
I actually prefer lower positioning headlights due to ridiculously high mounted headlights + high powered headlights installed in new cars these days. Their positioning lights as if high beams are turned on and causes severe visual impairment during the night. That's why auto dimming side & rearview mirrors should be standard instead of optional, or automanufacturers should really rethink their design. It's becoming more dangerous and I believe this Santa Fe sort of corrects it, I hope...
I have owned 3 Hyundai SantsFe models. All have been base models. The was a 2002. It was very nice an I was very happy with it. In December of 2006 I was run into by a Vehicle cpmi g from s side street. My vehicle was declared a total loss. I had a blister on my thumb from the sir bag. I went and purchased another a 2007 in December of 2006. That be lasted me 13 years until this past July when I purchased a 2019 SanteFe, base model. The features are wonderful and my economy is out of site. After ,6500 miles overall I'm averaging 28.8PG. I will admit I am 74 years old but this mileage is just great and the vehicle is just awesome. Quiet is a term used with this model. I cannot hear ANY ROAD NOISE ON CONCRETE OR ASPHALT while driving. Seats are VERY COMFORTABLE and ride is awesome. Thank think of a better vehicle.. Thanks for letting me tell my story.
Good to hear. We have 4 Kias and have had great experience as well. We have 2012 Sorento, 2014 Sportage, 2016 Forte5, and 2018 Forte. Hyundai/Kia make fantastic cars. Hope you are doing well, Tom
We have the 2019 Santa Fe Ultimate, and after driving the CRV, and the Edge, it was the best feel on the road. We have zero regrets, and would buy it if given a do over. The safety features do take a little to get used to. Like the white line detection, if you sway near the white line on the road, the steering wheel is nudged by the SUV, and it takes a bit to get use to your wheel being taken over by your vehicle. It scars you a little ata first. The hologram type of display that appears in the windshield to show your speed, plus the posted speed limit, is a nice touch. I am pretty sure that other information appears in that display as well, and it might be configurable just like everything else. It went for approx 36k, and we got it for $32k. It was a very good deal.
I just bought a used 2019 Santa Fe SEL Plus with 14,500 miles. One Owner No damage or accidents and in mint condition, I paid $26k out the door including TTF and a 100k bumper to bumper warranty and lifetime powertrain.
You paid a new car price for the SEL...sorry !
Yeah should’ve paid around 20000-23500
After tag title taxes fees and 100k warranty. Yeah right.Maybe if it was a rental car with an accident history, but it was 100% clean
@@bextar6365 SEL Plus*
You're happy that's all that counts !
I think the positioning of the headlights lower in the bumper helps to reduce blinding for the oncoming trafic or the person in front of you
Was thinking the same. So thumbs up, despite the slightly odd appearance.
@@pepstein I think it looks great! The new Sante Fe has a much more aggressive and masculine look to it. Hyundai is pulling off a great look with that light configuration, a look Jeep just couldn't make happen. While I'll admit that I never really hated the Jeep Cherokee look, I think Hyundai nailed it. For those who hate this light configuration, I say just pretend that the uppers are the headlights and all will be OK. Realistically, it doesn't matter where the light is coming from as long as it's a quality light.
East Coast Resident.....Owning one I agree, but I would prefer the rear turn signals incorporated up and into the tail lights....Otherwise I'm happy with the S-F.....
I appreciate this especially since Toyota and Lexus headlights are so blinding!!!
My biggest complaint on this is the interior design, transmission that cannot find gears it should be in and the sensitive auto stop. Try pulling this into a garage where the engine keeps stopping on you. It’s a headache
(From the center display music screen) Artist: Johnny Cash. Album: New Mexico. Car: Santa Fe.
I test drove a 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe FWD Limited and totally fell in love with it. Now it isn't the first cross over that I have test-driven. I came close to purchasing a RAV4 but decided to wait to make a final decision after I test drove the Santa Fe. The Santa Fe (for me) is so much better. I love how quiet it is, how well it rides and the air vents in the back cargo area will be great for my dogs.
Just bought (yesterday) a Limited 2.0T Red with Beige interior. I love it! The panoramic sunroof is so awesome.
Alex,.. great video...subbed.
Did they put the factory remote start on the key fob yet?
@@hcwcars1 No, you have to use BlueLink to remote start and stop the SUV.
I rented the 2.4 base model from airport, for a week. I drive almost 800 miles for 10 days. It shows 27mpg avg. I'm very pleased with the new 8 speed transmission, The suspension is soft and pillow like ride. Brake is good and drive around curves flat. The auto cruze control and emergeny braking and blank spot warming are statndard on the base model, which surprised me! It's good value for the money! I like it
Btw, I love the way you are using those information captions, particularly the comparison captions that tell us how this vehicle compares to others.
You have the most informative videos of any car industry journalist! It's why I watch your channel. Keep up the good work!
Alex your reviews are absolutely comprehensive & complete!...I've watched a lot of car reviews and yours are incredibly detailed with all the specs one could ever need to decide on which vehicle to purchase. Keep up the great work, always look forward to your fair and unbiased views!!!
Yes that's the reason i only listen too Alex. His reviews are VERY VERY thorough and leave you feeling more reassured about your potential purchase of the vehicle your interested in.
We just looked at the CRV and Santa Fe. We liked the Satna Fe a lot more. We both thought the Honda in top line trim looked plasticy and cheap, and the fake wood was awful. The Santa Fe on the other hand has an interior that I would say is entry level luxury. Head and shoulders above the Honda in both features and appearance, and that was the top of the line limited, which to be fair is a bit more expensive. We chose the buy the Santa Fe, which we will be picking up soon.
Comparisons with similar vehicles at the end of the video is very helpful. Keep up the good work!
since Palisade will have v6 and compete with Explorer and Pilot, Santa fe's 2.0t engine looks enough for me...And I like that lowered headlamps as some SUVs' high positioned lamps literally torture my eyes in night
Great review, Alex and excellent explanation of why "tablet on a dash" make more sense than other designs.
Would definitely pick this over Murano with CVT or Passport with ZF 9speed.
Passport was so dissapointing. Agree
@@swanblake I like that they brought it back and it's a strictly 5 passenger SUV with a standard V6, I just wish they didn't style it so closely to the Pilot. I definitely have mixed feelings about the new Passport.
Right, I want a non vcm Honda v6 with a 6 speed or the Honda 10 in the passport then I would consider
@@swanblake This is kinda late but I recently drove the passport and really liked it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
You sir a very hardworking and a passionate person regarding your work!! Love the details and layout of your video.. you got 1 new subscriber!
I looked at the Santa Fe last week. Liked it a lot. Would definitely buy it over a CR-V (with the turbo 4 wheel drive version). While the lower gas mileage is a consideration it is not a deal breaker. Hyundai is willing to bargain as well. The interior is very nice. Unfortunately the higher end version has a panoramic moonroof (which sucks).
Agreed - a panoramic sunroof is a big negative for those of us who live in the most Southern states. In addition, looks like Hyundai marketing jerks decided to pull a stunt like Kia Sorento used to do - you can't get navigation unless you get the highest level of trim. Morons....
bought a 2019 Santa Fe in July 2019. 2.4 engine, front wheel drive. 3,000 miles now, averaging 27 mpg. great car.
Alex, I know the manufactures like to give you the top of the line models but can you get and review the most sold/ popular models...like the 2.4 as in this case for most of us who are in the majority to seriously consider buying. Especially since your channel is more of a practical buyers review.
Hyundai leading the industry in value once again!!
But not in fuel economy unfortunately. RAV4 hybrid gets double the fuel economy, not even close!
The new style had to grow on me. I test drove one and was absolutely impressed with how solid and luxurious it felt. It looks a lot better in person. I wish it just had an optional V6. Not a fan of turbos or the 234 hp with that kind of gas mileage. Will probably trade in my 2013 CR-V for one.
After two years of looking, test driving (about 30 different vehicles with, at times, differing criteria), reading everything about a wide range of vehicles, watching a myriad of Alex's videos (around 45 or so), and also being a former dirt track racer and an all around car junkie, we purchased an SEL+ AWD. Roomier cabin the CR-V, RAV4, CX-5 and Cherokee, better driving dynamics than the Murano, Edge or Highlander, better price than the Forester or Outback, not an FCA (although FCA is getting their quality control and engineering act together), and the price was right due to the discounts. MSRP of $32,800, deal price of $26,300 and out the door at $28,900; incentives abound if one waits for the right month. It is exactly, without compromise, what the lovely wanted; my only issue is fuel economy. So, thank you, Alex, for your video compilations; they are of immense benefit.
Thanks for your useful comment and glad you enjoy ;)
I'm one that is very vocal in my dislike of the tablet style infotainment screens, though I do appreciate the insight on why they're designed the way they are. I still think they should be designed in a more appealing way, especially in the luxury segment.
Used this video as the deciding factor to help my mom buy a brand new 2020 Santa Fe this month (March 21’) and we could not be happier!! Dealer was offering year-end closeouts and we got almost 5k off the sticker! Fully loaded for 32k, plus the warranty can’t be beat.
My neighbor just got one in white. Really impressed. Looks smaller in real life. A tweener for sure.
K P this Is the perfect size for us.
K P Americans love value sized
I'm with no eyes on me I want to see that Palisade... thank you Alex for all that you do it is greatly appreciated more than you probably know...
The blind spot monitor picks up vehicles faster and give you a larger area to move around safer than any of brand. All the safety systems seem to be better integrated than almost all other brands.
Thanks, for the great review. Next, I would love to see a review of the new 2019 CX-5 GT Signature with the 2.5 Turbo engine.
All is good but mpg. Need mild hybrid system. Can't afford 20 mpg vehicle in Canada with 5$ a gallon gas.
For those that are just now looking for a 2020 SF, We just upgraded from a 2014, to the 2020 Limited 2.0T. Our highway gas mileage is just at 31.8 MPG highway, and about 24 City. So def far better than what they are advertising, and better than the 2014's 2.4L performance in my experience. Lot's of tech in the new one to help stretch the MPG out.
Agree. Those fuel economy numbers are brutal, especially when in same class as Rav4 hybrid which gets 40mpg! Turbos never get rated MPG either unfortunately, unless you're extra light on the pedal.
@@Ripper13F1V I just bought the 2020 SF 2.0T limited as well. Upgraded from 2013 2.0T. I must say it was a huger upgrade to me! Not as sporty, but just feels so luxurious
@@TheKauaiboyz51 we did the upgrade to the 2.0L a few months ago from the 2014 2.4L, it def is luxurious, and has much more get up and go in sport mode. And they nailed the luxury part of the interior.
could you please compare the 2.4 and the 2.0T engine performance ? According to consumerreports, the 2.4 performs better with this transmission.
Can't wait for the Palisade!
Same here!
It's going to be interesting to see the new Palisade and the Kia Telluride. The Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento are essentially the same vehicle with somewhat different variations on the "Goldilocks" size theme. I suspect that the Palisade and the Telluride may follow the same pattern. The new Pallisade appears to be aimed at a "premium" or "near luxury" mainstream market. The Telluride promises to be a more "adventure" themed vehicle. Hyundai and Kia seem to have a strategy to offer vehicles aimed at slightly different market segments based on the same platforms.
We couldn't either, so we bought it.
It didnt go well
This seems to be smart choice, leaning towards Santa fe over used RX with dated technology
I have owned three Lexus RX...we have a 2007 Lexus RX 350 now..it is extremely cramped and uncomfortable for long road trips....by the time we get to our destination my back and legs are cramping and I can barely walk...my husband is 6'4" and he doesn't fit comfortably in the passenger seat at all so he always has to be the driver... looking at this Santa Fe for more room and better mpg...btw..our Lexus RX has 300,000 miles on it...great reliability... just freaking ready to upgrade... good luck.
I'm leaning towards a 14'-16' RX, no android auto or apple carplay but safety system are there, and the RX is just a better built vehicle.
The Santa Fe needs to be seen in person to appreciate, I didn't like it until I saw it in person . Ended up with a Limited 2.0T . My only gripe with the 2.0 T is , when you initially push the accelerator .There is a delay before you feel anything happen, once you are rolling , no issues. I think it pulls it around pretty well .
That’s why I skipped the Santa Fe, that jerky acceleration is just odd. It was scary slow until the turbo spooled.
I was waiting for a review on this vehicle from you (for a while) before I could buy it. But ended up buying it one day before the review was posted. However, I am glad to see my thoughts validated by Alex :) We love the car. It is quite comfortable. We surprisingly found the hwy gas mileage close to 30 rather than 25mpg on our 2.0L turbo. So far pleased. One car I was comparing this to was the Subaru Outback (which I still believe trumps this car in a utility sense, gas mileage, cargo area, space, symmetric AWD, etc). We picked this as this was the sexier sister between the two (with panoramic roof and other in cabin niceties) - well sometimes wife gets the vote :)
I like everything about the 2019 Santa Fe except the fuel economy.
abghere: Blame the weight of the Santa Fe. The AWD turbo4 is actually slightly heavier than its corporate cousin, the Kia Sorento 3 row crossover. And it's about 700 lbs (!) heavier than a Honda CRV AWD. That's like hauling around a couple of NFL linemen in the back seat.
Edit: The comment above about the Santa Fe being heavier than the Sorento and 700 lbs heavier than a CRV is incorrect. It was based on a google search for the Santa Fe's weight. The result of that search placed the weight at over 4300 lbs. A more thorough search indicates the actual weight is between 4100 and 4200 lbs. That is still very heavy compared to a CRV, for example, but it's more like 500 lbs rather than 700 lbs. Just wanted to set the record straight.
I have the ultimate 2019 front wheel drive turbo I am getting 27-29 My 2014 Veloster only got 26 !!!! and the Sante Fe is easily 4 times as big plus gas in Houston is only 1.79 Who is complaining about gas mileage? Good grief people spend 5 bucks for a cup of coffee!!!
I just drove from Tennessee to New York and averaged 32mpg over 1000 miles with the 2.4L in my 2019 Santa Fe. I’m more than happy with that number. And that’s me actually measuring myself and not going by the dash. The dash said I averaged 33.9
EXACTLY!!! They under state the MPG after that gas card fiasco when they over stated the MPG @@thedavephan
@@eddiefniii Everyone doesn't live in Houston, Eddie. And many folks, even some in Houston, are concerned about air pollution, global warming, and lining the pockets of oil companies.
Hyundai products are top notch. I just purchased a new 2018 Elantra.
I've got 2 hyundais including a Santa Fe limited. They are good cars but not top notch. My SANTA FE drives like butter and very comfortable. However they drink quite a bit and more expensive to repair than Honda or Toyota (almost like Saabs where you have to take out a lot of stuff before you get to a component you need to replace i.e. $$$labour$$$ try the alternator). For instance the 2009 santa fe fuel gauge goes at around 80k on almost all of them. They put 2 fuel sensors and costs $800+ to fix for a KNOW PROBLEM. My Elentra 2013 was drinking over 13L/100km. For a compact car it is a guzzler. Eventually Hyundai admitted there was an error on the printing of the EPA results 8L/100KM (yeah right) so they started cutting cheques to owners. Hyundai sells their cars less then Honda/Toyota but they ding you big time on maintenance. That's my opinion, someone else might have a different experience.
@@sassaidi I somewhat agree with you. I've been happy with both the Hyundai Elantra I had and the Kia Sedona we currently have but I think the money we saved on these vehicles at initial purchase, is slowly being clawed back by Hyundai/Kia in maintenance intervals. I really feel that the Sedona is top notch in its category for ride, handling, feature content and build quality but maintenance intervals are intense and frequent. Oil change every 6000 km is rediculious with modern lubricants and engines.
Congrats!
quietguy my 2013 Santa Fe has been amazing.
I have two 2019 Sante Fes. It was difficult to get Ultimates in my area, but I got one, and my other is an SEL Plus. Very happy with them :)
Great review Alex. Hyundai is really killing it these days. Can’t wait to see your review of the all new 2024 Santa Fe. Love the styling of the latest model.
Just picked up this exact model. Tons of power on tap. Fit and finish is fantastic and cabin is luxury car quiet. I had bought a new ‘19 Forester sport and ended up getting rid of it after 3 months for this. This is our 3rd Santa Fe. Our other Santa Fe is a 2013 Limited and is still going strong at 115k. Only repairs have been wheel bearings, alternator and brake pads.
The SEL 2.4 model is the best deal for $26,000. Luv mine and can average 31 MPG on HWY. Also really like the style overall...
Front Headlight and Rear Turns Signal placement all but guarantees expensive damage from the slightest parking lot incident.
While I agree it looks cool, I'm going with the Sorrento for exactly this reason.
I don’t get why cars that cost over 30k don’t have full led by now, it’s 2018
dygardion 91 so all the halogen companies die?
CKPHH well that happens as the years go on. No tech!
2018 and 2019 Jeep Cherokee is about the only compact SUV I can think of where the standard headlights -and- foglights are all LED's. and bright!
correction, just the new 2019 model Cherokee has the LED's.
Always great reviews !! The 2019/2020 SantaFe is actually a 2-door Kia Sorento with the infotainment screen moved higher. I’m at the end of my 3-yr lease of a 2017 Sorento SX and I have been staring at exact same buttons and dials throughout Sorento as the Santa Fe. This is not a bad thing, just pointing it out because I’m interested in the Santa Fe. The Sorento has been bullet proof. Not one thing wrong in over 32,000 miles. I wish they would bring out a 2-row Palisade or Telluride like VW is doing with the new Atlas Cross. In the mean time, I’m looking closely at the Santa Fe. Love your reviews, Alex.
We owned a 2013 Santa Fe Sport and upgraded to the Palisade last summer. Love Hyundai. They came a long way.
Alex, I find the Santa Fe interior stylish, bordering on elegant. Looks like a comfortable place to spend time. The tablet format of the infotainment screen also allows the passenger to operate the system, as I (as a driver) often ask the passenger riding "shotgun" to play music DJ so I can focus on the road. Awesome video, thanks for the upload.
Excellent, thorough, professional, comprehensive review... as always. The comparisons section at the end was particularly interesting because I'm trying to decide between the Tucson and the Santa Fe.
Excellent job and the best review. Great information. Keep up the good work.
Interesting comparative video. We are looking at the Santa Fe, QX50, RDX, GLC300 and about everything else in this compact SUV category. As a Genesis owner, I am in full agreement that the Santa Fe offers a lot of value for the money. As with the Genesis, if panache is less important that form and function, then I think that the Santa Fe is a prudent choice.
Hi Alex, I always enjoy your videos, detailed oriented as usual. I was wondering if by any chance do you know when the PHEV Santa Fe will launch? Thank you and keep up with the good job.
i like this new Santa Fe, but for a car this heavy to be running with a little 4 cylinder just doesn't seem right. That's why we purchased the Kia Sorento AWD with the V6 and 8 speed. We're still getting about 22-23 mpg without trying. The Sorento may have those vestigial third row seats, but come on; how many people actually use them? We surely never will.
You appear to be one of the few folks who recognize that the Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are essentially variations on the same vehicle. We, too, went with the Sorento in part because of the naturally aspirated V6. I do disagree a bit with regard to the third row seats, though. As a family of three plus a big dog we don't need the third row regularly, either. And few midsize crossovers (including the Pilot, CX-9, and the Highlander) offer a third row that's suitable for more than five passengers plus gear for a trip.) But the Sorento's third row is actually bigger than either the CX-9 and the Highlander. And we find it convenient when we're chauffeuring our 14 y/o daughter and several of her friends or going out with another family for dinner. (Eliminates the need for a second vehicle.)
Been looking at a lot of vehicles and watched a lot of videos, this one has definitely been the best, in my humble opinion.
Alex, given the proliferation of semi-autonomous driving features, would you consider adding some review points for the adaptive cruise control and lanekeeping systems for newer cars? Theres quite a variance in both systems. Some ACC units cut off below ~40kph, some come to a stop but won't resume, others will (either on their own or at the press of a button). Some lanekeeping systems simply pingpong between the lane markers while others hold in the middle of the lane.
It would be nice to get an idea of the capabilities of different manufacturers/models.
Very good comment. I have a subaru outback. And I'm very happy in general with the adaptive cruise control and auto emergency braking. But I tested a KIA niro and after a complete stop, you have to put your foot on the brake. On the Outback it will hold with the electric emergency brake and it will start on it's own if stopped less than 5 seconds. If stopped for more, you either tap the gas pedal or press the resume button on the steering wheel. Lane keep assist on the Subaru is ok, not like a ping pong, also not keeping you in the center. Sometimes it will scare you. So these features alone kept me from buying the KIA (plus reading on the Niro forums that at least 3 people had accidents that the auto emergency braking should have prevented).
These safety features are very important for some buyers. And understanding how they behave would be a very valuable insight. Especially that most dealerships would not allow you to test the auto emergency braking.
We are still searching for a second car and these safety features and how they work is one of the main decision factors. Waiting on the new RAV4 to test these.
Ive tested many.. Tesla being the best, Volvo and MB both have semi autonomous driving features. Other brands, like all the japanese and korean cars have lane keep assist which is almost completly lagging auto steering feature.
@@hahahacho9474 I got to test some of these systems a while back when suv hunting and both the Hyundai Sante fe and the Honda Pilot have lane keep assist that will tug you back into the lane, although I found the new Sante Fe to be the most pronounced and comfortable to use. The Honda system in the pilot worked but gets over on the line before there's any intervention. I felt the Hyundai system was more dialed in without being overbearing. The Toyota Tacoma I had out for a test drive had the lane departure warning but did not actively correct, presumably because the Tacoma still utilizes hydraulic power steering.
I think that's a great idea! The driver assist and safety systems now being included as standard equipment on modern vehicles are becoming the very thing that automotive manufacturers use to set themselves apart from the competition. We now know that most, if not all, new vehicles include these systems as standard but they differ quit a bit in how effective and intrusive they are. I personally experienced how vastly different Hyundai's system was from the Honda systems. If people are purchasing a vehicle based on the suite if safety features, they really deserve to know if one system really shines over another.
Great review. Liked the analysis and comparisons. Awesome Alex! please keep up the good work.
I chose the CX-9 over this. It does have a lot of nice features but the CX-9 feels like its in another glass with better power application for it's turbo 4. It just works.
The Skyactive engines are great.
2 row midsize is making a comeback. The Passport and Blazer were just reintroduced to compete with this, the Murano, and the Edge. I’m a fan
Jay...I agree! This to me is the sweet spot for size, features and practicality.
Nice understated look. I really like the storage spaces in the trunk and also like the interior layout especially the dashboard. If I was shopping. However, a 3.3l v6 option matched with the 8 speed gearbox would have been great.
I bought the Tucson Sport which has white pearl not available on other trim levels, saved me money and gives me more walk around space in the garage, plus it has cool wheels.
This is how everyone should do reviews, an actual apples to apples comparison to competition in its class. Saying a car is "good" is irrelevant if there's nothing to compare against.
Excited about the additional space in the Santa Fe. I am 6'3" and the Honda front seat leaves me wanting for a few extra inches of leg room.
Compared to the Honda CR-V, I think you'll be pleased with the seats, legroom & visibility in this Santa Fe, AND, wait for it.... in the higher levels of trim, the Santa Fe passenger seat actually has a HEIGHT adjustment, so you won't feel like you're sitting on the floor like you do in a Honda CR-V Touring!!!! Don't tell Toyota or Honda about this.... their penny-pinching management will have a coronary!
While I really like the Santa Fe (Sport), one of things I liked about it was the available V6 motor option; my preferred engine. Sadly that is now gone in this new 2019 model, as the auto industry takes yet another step towards the universal adoption of the Turbo 4-Popper.
I had the 3.3 v6 2017 and traded up to the 2023 3.5 v6 .
Love it. Diesel is really good but not as refined. Take diesel if you tow and need awd.
@AlexOnAutos-
Not sure about the comparisons to Grand Cherokee. The Jeep is RWD, has far more sophisticated 4WD systems, standard V6 power, optional V8s, tows 7400lbs, is larger, far more luxurious in Overland and up trims, etc.
They only true similarity is the two-row seating. And using that logic, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, and other like-sized SUVs are competitors too.
But the Edge, Blazer, and Murano definitely are due to being FWD-based and similar size.
The profile looks surprisingly like the X5's.
Excellent review! I really appreciate the “charts” or visual information comparing other vehicles. I’m ready to replace my 2011 Cadillac SRX and will test drive the Santa Fe and the Tucson, Ford Edge and the Escape as well. The warranty on the Hyundai really impresses me.
I also want better fuel economy than my current vehicle. Wish me luck. :)
Best car review channel in the world, salute.
I test drove the 2019 Santa Fe SEL, 2018 CR-V EX, 2018 CX-5 Touring, and 2018 Rogue SV Premium. On the Santa Fe, I had absolutely no complaints. Controls were easy to use, it was comfortable and quiet, and safety features had just the right amount of sensitivity. Then I drove the CX-5, and I had a few complaints; the infotainment was cumbersome and BSM was too sensitive, but it was so refined and the interior was so good, I actually liked it better overall. The Rogue was ok, and I ranked my drive similar to the Santa Fe, but I'm concerned about Nissan's quality. The CR-V had the best grades overall for me, nothing to complain about, much more efficient than the Santa Fe and almost as refined as the CX-5, but I'm still stuck between the CR-V and CX-5, especially since I think I can get the CX-5 for less due to incentives. I think the Santa Fe would work better for me if I had a big family, but between myself, my fiance, and a small dog there's no point in getting the Santa Fe over the best compact crossovers. The Tucson did not qualify because I wanted adaptive cruise control, which you only get on the highest trim.
Ramon, I'm in the same position as you. Tested and condensed my considerations down to the CR-V, CX-5 & the Santa Fe; in that order. It now comes down to the $. I do dislike the fact I am losing some cargo space with the CX-5 compared the the other two, but the driving experience was better. What did you end up going with.
@@dandoyel2548 I got the CR-V and I have no regrets. I get 30 mpg in mixed driving and every time I use the touch screen while Apple CarPlay is on, I'm thankful it works while driving (the Mazda's touch screen is disabled when driving). Mine seems to warm up pretty quickly, so I'm confident it won't have the oil dilution problem. This may sound strange, but in a way I'm glad it's not as nice in the inside as the CX-5 because I want something I don't mind getting a little messy and having dogs in the car. All 3 cars you mentioned have their strengths. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
In Australia, we have 7 seats in this car. I think that's a better option than the hidden compartment.
Also we have paddle shifters at the back of the steering.
And we have diesel here. The torque is so addictive.
Always a pleasure to watch your review, excellent work
4 years ago today!! Might try to get it Alex.
Quite a thorough review Alex. Glad that you pointed out how it is an in between size vehicle with lots of value. That you highlighted the rear under space (very convenient and spacious) - a gem. This is my 3rd Santa Fe and quality has been excellent thus far and found all a bit more plush and roomy by comparison. As you mentioned, lots of safety features included (they don’t make you need to purchase the upper trim model to get all the safety). I too noticed the almost luxury level quietness and very solid build. I like the locking Diff. and the little side view windows in front of side mirrors for added visibility. I find the 8 spd. is smoother and quieter than my previous 6 spd. And getting noticeably better fuel economy (2.0L turbo in this and last version) Overall, very pleased with this fully redesigned CUV.
Great car overall minus the MPG... I wonder why it's so bad.
Hyundai and Kia have never been fuel efficiency champs. Though it must be said that the new KIA Forte hits 40 mpg in DOT testing. It's fair to say, I think, that the Korean manufacturers haven't prioritized fuel efficiency compared to other engineering aspects. And frankly, I think they believe they're better off investing in electrification than in improving technology in internal combustion engines.
But in the case of the Santa Fe, there's another more specific issue. The Santa Fe actually weighs more than a comparable Kia Sorento (almost 4400 lbs), its 3 row cousin. That's about 700 lbs(!) more than a Honda CRV. It's the equivalent of carrying a couple of NFL lineman around in the back seat.
That MPG is the same as the Ford Edge with 4 cylinder turbo.
@@stephenhendricks103 the new forte switched to cvt as well i believe.
@@Mhike-m2x True. I'm no fan of CVT's but there's no denying that they can be programmed to offer superior fuel efficiency. Further, manufacturers, including KIA, have significantly improved the performance of CVT's in recent years.
@@stephenhendricks103 For SUV the fuel economy is bad but for sedan, Sonata is very good.
personally really like the lower headlights, since it probably means i won't get blinded by one of these when its behind me.
Lower headlight placement also means better visibility and less glare in heavy fog. Some of us have that as an issue. But it also means a better chance of damage from objects on the road.
A strong contender come next October when I plan on replacing my 2016 Sonata. The Tucson was just a little too small for my 6'2" frame.
Why can't Hyundai make engines that get better gas mileage?
@Darkivaz - AAA I think the N/A 2.4L makes use of the same tech.
I'm not sure it's an engine thing, it may be the driveline losses. I think Hyundai/Kia uses cheap fluids that are not assisting with efficiency. I don't mean to say that their fluids are inexpensive or total trash, only that they may not be carefully selected or engineered to have certain characteristics that will increasing efficiency. This is just my suspicion as I have no evidence to support that conclusion but lubricant quality has vastly improved over the last decade or so and properly selected fluids and greases can help with driveline losses by reducing friction even more. Just recently my Kia dealer had to change the cv axle grease in my wife's van due to a binding issue that had us on our 5th pair of CV axles in under 72,000 km. At first I wasn't very optimistic that changing the grease would even help the condition but my dealer notified me that Kia Canada had instructed them to use a synthetic grease that they had sent and install it in all affected vehicles and lo and behold it actually worked. My first question was, why isn't the axle manufactured with this Synthetic Grease? I thought manufacturers were supposed to be chasing down every possible efficiency gain. We haven't had a single axle failure since the grease was changed to synthetic and this may be in my head but I believe we may have picked up some driveline efficiency that we can see in the fuel economy calculator. This is not scientific but our average fuel consumption has gone from 11.5L/100km to 11.2L/100km. These are the small gains that separate manufacturers like Toyota, Honda and Nissan from the likes of Hyundai and Kia.
You are getting a feature-packed vehicle with a pretty darn good quality reputation for thousands less than any Japanese vehicle but they are constantly falling just a little shy of the Japanese efficiencies. Money has to be saved somewhere and I believe Hyundai is speccing inferior lubricants. Not substandard lubricants but maybe they don't think it's worthwhile using more expensive fluids to gain minor efficiency. I could be totally wrong.
he Hyundai plant in Montgomery, AL starts production of the next gen Theta III engines this summer and I've read they are for the Santa Fe and Sonata. Look for 1 or both engines to be replaced for 2020 and fuel economy to increase.
We have a 2020 Santa Fe SEL 2.0t awd. It's great. Totally recommend getting the 2.0t motor. The espresso grey interior looks great and feels more upscale that it is.
Lots of helpful information. I like the way that you did the comparisons between different car models. Thanks for sharing.
I have a 2018 Honda CRV EX and am very disappointed in how small it is. I read all the reviews and test drove it several times. It certainly has a great interior style and quality and gets about 31mpg consistently. but at 6.1 the roof feels right on top of my head even with the seat down as far as it can go. Hip and shoulder room is also cramped. Your review here was really excellent and I appreciate all the detail you went into. I should have bought a Hyundai Santa Fe, just bought a year too early now that the 2019 has a redesign.
The 2.4 Santa Fé, is the most intelligent option as far as medium size cross over is concerned...
Fo the prive it gives a lot for the money... the competition up, explorer and grand cherokee and below, CR-V and RAV 4 can not beat....
2.4 liter engine with a 8 speed automatic... that is the winning reciepe....
That 21 combined for AWD in the Turbo is pretty terrible..
Just picked up our new 2.4L AWD Ultimate yesterday. Tried both engines, my wife preferred the naturally aspirated one as it's power delivery is much more linear and quieter overall. On our 30 mile drive home, we averaged 28.7 mpg at 70 mph. Will be interesting to see how it does as we put some miles on it.
Alex, very nice review and much better than others, but it would be awesome to review the Adaptive cruise control feature. No one seems to be talking about it when it so important for high traffic driving.
As a Kia Sorento owner I'm struck by the similarities and differences between the Santa Fe and the Sorento. The two vehicles are almost exactly the same size. (The Santa Fe is about one inch shorter.) They share the same chassis and the same AWD systems including the center differential locking feature. The switch gear (e.g. climate control, infotainment content, etc) all come from the shared Hyundai/KIA parts bins. Anyone familiar with the Sorento will feel at home in the Santa Fe.
On the other hand KIA dropped the two row seat and turbo 4 options when the Santa Fe was introduced. Most Sorentos are fitted with a V6, an option not available in the Santa Fe. KIA plans to add a diesel option for the Sorento in North America in the 2019 model year; no such plans for the Santa Fe. The top SX-L version of the Sorento has more luxury touches than the "Ultimate" Santa Fe. But the two row Santa Fe is significantly less expensive than the three row Sorento. It appears that Hyundai's Palisade will be both larger and more luxurious than the Sorento while the Kia Telluride will take a different route with a more "rugged" upscale crossover.
All in all it appears that Hyundai and Kia have decided to split the baby in the Goldilocks CUV category between the Santa Fe and the Sorento. Looks like a strong strategy combining cost savings from shared engineering and parts with clear differentiation in model appeal and priorities.
Obviously this is top on my list for my next SUV. Waiting for a test drive in my home country. The headlights arrangement is what I'm not too sure about, but other reviewers have indicated that they are nicer in person that an show in pictures.
The interior quality and warranty is what I look out for as I don't keep any car beyond 5years
Peter Newman when you see it in person, you may change your mind. I had the same reservation but in person this is a really good looking vehicle. Catches me off guard every time.
@@joalblo9581 Thanks for the info. The reliability of the Genesis/Hyundai/Kia are quite impressive too
Top notch IMO. We have a Sonata and an Optima!
This car ticks pretty much all the boxes. But it shows me again the false economy (pun intended) of having a small highly stressed engine producing the required power versus a lower stressed larger engine. Twenty-two MPG from a 2 litre is lousy and the "gruff" engine sound under acceleration shows how hard that engine has to work.
I completely agree. There are certain occasions when a V8 engine will consume less fuel than its V6 counterpart and in saying that there are many occasions when these small engines will be working extremely hard just to perform daily tasks.
The gas mileage issue largely results from the Santa Fe's weight. At 4372 lbs (AWD) it's 700 lbs heavier than a Honda CRV. In fact, it's even a bit heavier than its corporate cousin than the three row Kia Sorento and within 120 lbs of the humungous VW Atlas. I'm a fan of 2L turbos in some applications (I have a GTI) but in vehicles such as this I prefer a naturally aspirated V6. That's one reason we chose the near identical Kia Sorento over the Santa Fe.
I have been stalking the SantaFe tough. And I KNOW that all you guys are screaming and warning that this 4cylinder turbo engine is too small for this crossover. And I hear you, then I keep coming back cuz I like the SantaFe soooo much and i don't thingk New 2018 V6 models will be available by the time I'm ready to test drive and purchase so i keep looking at this bad bad bad choice of a 2019 model....then I read comments like yours and they virtually smack some sense into me and remind me, "NO! BAD CHOICE! V6 or nothing!" LOL. -my way of saying thanks for sharing your knowledge and info. People like me need this info from generous knowledgeable people like you.
@@privateprivate5302 I look closely at fuel consumption. Not so much for cost reasons, it tells me how hard an engine needs to work to lug the car around. Any 2 litre that can't crack at least 28 MPG is overworked. Did you know a Porsche 911 gets 30 MPG in the EPA cycle?
@@karlp8484 Funny that the new blazer, one of its competitors, gets similar if not better MPG with NA V6.
Be aware that rear cross-traffic alert/blind spot monitoring, which was standard on the 2019 SE (base) model, has been dropped for 2020. It’s not even offered as an option on the SE; you must step up to the SEL trim level. And the 2019 rear seats slide and recline; for 2020 the slide feature was removed.
I recently bought the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe SEL. I can’t recommend it to anybody because it’s really low powered. The car struggles to climb small hills. My old 2010 Toyota Corolla had more power than this. I won’t buy a Hyundai again.
Great review! Did a thorough walk through of this car at the LA Auto Show, since I'm considering it. Really like everything about it except for 2 things (at end). Since I'm in So. Cal., there are many dealers competing for your business. Have been able to price the Limited 2.0 Turbo with panoramic roof at right around $31K. Very tempting but 2 things holding me back. 1) Really holding out and wishful thinking that they might eventually add the V6. 2) First year of complete redesign, so maybe should wait for 2020 model after they work out the kinks and such.
There will be NO V6 . . . the name of the game is downsize and will be for years to come until all cars become electric and autonomous. Better get on with it or look somewhere else.
Thai Bui: I agree. There won't be a V6. If that's a priority for you, look at the very similar Kia Sorento.
I got the Limited 2.0 Turbo in SoCal a week back. Car got surprisingly better Hwy mileage than advertised. Look at a Subaru Outback before you commit to this though.
Lakshminarasimhan Krishnan , thanks for the reply. Wondering, what are/is the reason you feel the Outback might be better? How’s the acceleration, specifically merging onto freeways with the 2.0T? I know that most of the time, suburban driving it should be fine. But, you know being in So. Cal., that getting on the freeway and merging into traffic, you need a little extra power. How about the Subaru Forester? Opinions? Thanks!
@@MrCapskins Space, Comfort and safety features (w/ blind spot package on Subaru ltd 2.5i) are very comparable between the two. Gas mileage, symmetric AWD and subaru's track record in reliability are the positives for the outback. Panoramic roof (less claustrophobic feeling in back seat) and longer warranty are positives for Santa Fe.
The santa fe 2.0T is a little sticky from a stand-still, but once it gets going you start seeing the worth in going for 2.0T (all the more if u drive in hilly areas). Passing vehicles and merging onto freeways is done with ease. And I am so thankful for Adaptive cruise control + Active LKAS (be sure to choose active in settings) in LA traffic.
I didn't check out the Forester as in my case we couldn't fit two adults + a car seat in the back of a Forester.
Also, if you end up going for the Santa Fe, consider getting a maintenance package. Our dealer priced it ~850 bucks/5years. I think for dealership service every 5-6K miles in a Turbo engine, it's worth it.
Own a 19 Santa Fe Limited 2.0T AWD and absolutely love it! Luxury offerings at 30-40K less. This car rocks in every sense except ground clearance and gas mileage. I am so happy i compared and bought the Santa Fe. Didn't want the Panoramic Moonroof, but what are ya gonna do? All the Pros definitely outweigh the Cons!
Great review. Really like your grading system. Love the Santa Fe except for the fuel economy. This is an area that Hyundai & Kia do not seem to do very well on. Other than that they offer great values in their vehicles!
I was waiting on you to review this vehicle you do a much thorough review compared to others.
Test drove it. The sitting position behind the wheel is like in a sedan. Great visibility out the front window. Going to drive it again. Fairly quiet unless you floor it going up hill
Drove it again. The drivetrain Is strange. Mpg not good
Excellent review Alex. I watched your Tuscon video as well. Very helpful. Thank you! I have a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited with a V6 242hp and have no major issues but thinking about upgrading. It's been a great car but I was looking at the 2019 Tucson Sport or Limited but may need a little more cargo area and horsepower. I'm just a little concerned about the 2019 Santa Fe 2.4 at 185hp being underpowered and not sure about the 2.0 turbo. I owned a turbocharged engine back in the day and hated it. I also looked at the Mazda CX5 but can't get over the bad luck I had with a previous Mazda I owned. Not that I'm looking to break any speed records but a 4 cylinder seems pretty weak for what seems to be a slightly heavier vehicle. It sounds like you really like the 2019 Santa Fe. Does the base engine of the 2019 Santa Fe seem to have enough power? Would you ever give a 2017 or 2018 Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe a chance? I'm not convinced on the turbo thang though. I'd appreciate some feedback.
I was between the Santa Fe, CR-V, and Forester. I ultimately chose the Forester for its superior AWD and outward visibility. Santa Fe was really close and CR-V could have gotten the pick if it had a driver seat that fit me better.
Two thing deter me from buying - one is the base 2.4l which is well-underpowered even with a new 8 speed, so base level trims aren't a competitive option so as much as a penalty box or purely used for rental cars. The other is the bumper-level placement of the lighting front and rear which can be totally destroyed in a moderate fender bender.
Still think the Mazda CX-5 is bar to beat in overall competency
I saw the Santa Fe at the dealership. It looks good and I know it will be a good seller but I cannot get over the tablet screen in the center of the dash. It's plain ugly to me.
Indeed there's a V6 Santa Fe for the Gulf region with 285hp with 7 rows
How can people keep thinking Honda 1.5 Turbo as great engine. The true is 1.5 turbo have engineer defect. My mom needs to get a oil change every 1000 miles. Also in China Honda was forced to stop selling 1.5 Turbo because the defect. I don’t know why no one is talking about this problem. I just join law suite against Honda for this bad engine.
Overblown issue. They sell hundreds of thousands of these engined in the Civic and crv and less then 1% of them have had this issue and it looks like Honda is ifxing it.
If this were to Genesis/Hyundai/Kia, people will take them to the cleaners
The 1.5T was a big reason why my dad chose the Camry over the Accord, it's just one more point of failure and turbos are very hard on the oil. They are also noticeably more sensitive to oil quality, which leads to decreased turbo life and, eventually, turbo malfunction.
Because of Honda fanboys. They can even drink poison if it is made by Honda.
I haven't heard of this problem much in the states like in China, the CRV has great fuel economy though.
I'm not sure it's a good idea to place the headlights and front and rear turn signals so low on the body. Thirty years ago, a high-mounted third brake light was mandated to place it in the range of vision of drivers following. It seems to me that these lower-mounted lights on the Santa Fe will be less likely to be seen by other drivers, and therefore cause potential accidents.
Robert Ehlers I’m sure they studied and tested this before production.
I actually prefer lower positioning headlights due to ridiculously high mounted headlights + high powered headlights installed in new cars these days. Their positioning lights as if high beams are turned on and causes severe visual impairment during the night. That's why auto dimming side & rearview mirrors should be standard instead of optional, or automanufacturers should really rethink their design. It's becoming more dangerous and I believe this Santa Fe sort of corrects it, I hope...
Just a quick Qi remark...Yellow while charging shifts to green when at 100%. Found this out in my Optima SXL!
The 3.3L twin turbo would go great in this.
Palisade has V6 3.8L or 2.2L Diesel