Should You Buy a 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe? Thorough Review by A Mechanic
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- A Mechanic reviews the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy Trim. Should you buy one?
We start the video with a proper technical review of the Santa Fe under the hood then we take a look underneath it.
Then we look at the outside and inside to see what's special about the calligraphy trim.
Then we talk about somethings we don't like about it
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0:00 Intro
56:03 Under The Hood
12:07 Under The Car
16:12 Exterior Review
19:51 Interior Review
23:54 Things I Don't Like About It
26:20 Should You Buy One?
Bought this car for me and the wife in retirement… about ten months now driving this vehicle. Your review (as with all of your reviews) are great. As a car guy, I always appreciate your in-depth analysis. A couple of things…. When we’re not on the road (highway), we’re in that awful Chicagoland traffic, and I have experienced *none* of the issues your report with the DCT. None. Smooth as can be, and quiet. (I’ve owned a myriad of cars since 1972.) Second, we bought this vehicle *because* it has no third row. Consider how people like us really appreciate all of that storage/luggage space.
I do wish it was a dual exhaust. It simply would look better from the rear.
These seats have to be the most comfortable I’ve ever had in a car. We test drove so many other SUVs with their sport package, and I’m convinced their seats are designed for people lacking hips. In particular, Audi has THE worst seats in their “S” vehicles.
Any DCT issues in the past 5-6 months since you last posted?
@@ofcbob6391I’m at 50k miles and frequently tow. No problems here! Towed a mini cooper from Greensboro NC to Rochester NY in one shot, no problem.
What is the gas mileage like in the city compared to highway? I’m looking to purchase but I’m unsure of how crazy gas might be with the calligraphy version.
This is why I love this channel .No one else is getting under the car and really going through all the components and informing us things that you might never find out about until it’s too late .Sometimes it’s the small things that can sway you either way whether to buy or not .I do like the dual injection !
Savagegeese also makes good car reviews and he goes under as well but the Car Care nut is excellent ;)
I just got here, 100 agreed My lease will be over soon I need to lease a new car looking for something different than Mazda cx5, My second one ( I love my cx5 however it’s time to try something different). I am the type of person that love to know as much as possible even though I am not keeping the car.
i agree i just subscribed ,very informaive
@@mleo16
Just wondering if you leased another car, and what did you get? I'm now trying to decide between the Santa Fe and the CX-5.
Hoping you could shed some light on the CX-5?
I want to like the Santa Fe, but that dual clutch transmission has me somewhat skeptical, especially since I have a tendency to drive my cars until the wheels fall off. I own a Mazda MX-5 Miata and love it. If you got the Hyundai, do you prefer it over the MX-5.and why.
Thanks.
This is the kind of reviews I love. Some people like me still keep our cars a long time and its so good to see a pro-mechanic go through potential issues you may run into if certain things fail down the line. So awesome.
Your review is actually most important part of the automotive review unlike other youtubers, because technical/mechanical parts are more important than just only all those fancy interior, color, seat, blah blah blah reviewed by others! Great job
I traded in my 2018 Santa Fe Ultimate for the 2023 Santa Fe Calligraphy. It really is a great SUV. They have put so much tech and comforts into this 2023. I love this review because he talks about details which others do not. The good, the bad. No BS. I love my Santa Fe and am looking forward to many years with it.
@miamimickey1972 did your 2018 burn oll? My 2017 SF Ultimate Turbo does and this is considered normal according to Hyundai.
@shotsbyscott6243 hi. Sorry for not getting back sooner. No. My 2018 was in perfect condition. Never took it in except for normal service. I had it for 5 yrs and it had 75k miles when traded. Do you get it serviced by the dealer?
I always have taken it to the dealer for service. I know that its not as cheap as a jiffy lube type place, but its always risky. Plus If something goes wrong, i dont want Hyundai to blame a private mechanic and then my warranty is not valid. Using thier dealer service means they have to honor my warranty, period.
Prior to my 2018, i had a 2013 santa Fe Limited. Again, no engine issues with that one either.
Sorry to hear you have issues. 2018 model has great body lines and very comfortable interior.
@miamimickey1972 I'm in the same boat. 2018..nice lines...great sound system..but..a bug but: a lag and spooling in the turbo! do u find that it accelerates better..is that tablet on dash like look ok with u and ez to operate? do u miss the cool bending headlight action when turning on the car? And I agree with the burning of oil on '18...keep a fire extinguisher at-the-ready
@paulkelly8533 you know i am not a fan of the ipad style screen. It has grown on my only because it's not HUGE. If you look at Toyotas or even now the ne Lexus....they have they these massive screens which just overpower the dash. But this one on my 2023 is perfect. And doesn't get in the way with the view.
As per the Turbo...no lag at all like i had with the 2018. This is fast. Its really got great power. I have 8k miles on the 2023 amd have done 3 road trips. Totally love it.
Not to say that I dont miss the 2018. She was a beauty and road great.
@@miamimickey1972 Any issues with the transmission? Do you notice the jerking, jarring that others report while slowing down or when stopped? I have 2023 Sante Fe last month in Arizona and it was very nice. It was almost highway driving and did not take note of the transmission since I was not considering another Hyundai. However, I am giving them another look, Thanks for your reply!
Where else can you get a honest review from a professional mechanic that tells you the truth, warts and all? No where that I have found. A review that is informative, educational and not bias. Just an Honest Opinion. Great Job, AMD.
I own this SUV in this trim. The handling was the big surprise, no body roll. The turbo engine is quick. The transmission is quirky. The interior is incredibly nice.
The transmission is quirky? That doesn't sound good.
I wish Jim would explain HOW it is quirky. Most of what I hear is "you don't want a dual clutch transmission".
@jeremiahalmos2643 it's a dct. That means it's quick and highly responsive but tradeoff is that it's not smooth. It's the opposite of a cvt.
Here in Australia not only do we get the third row but we get a full size alloy spare wheel as well! The Calligraphy is sold here as the Highlander (I know that's a Toyota). We do not get the PHEV but we do get the ordinary hybrid. We also do not get the 2.5 turbo petrol model. Mine is the turbo diesel model which I have to say is as smooth as silk and very economical. The DCT is very smooth and the changes are almost imperceptible. Mine has done 13,000 kms and I am very happy with it On a 70 km freeway journey I can get close to 5.5 litres per 100kms which is about 50 miles per imperial gallon.
Wife and I own both a 2019 and 2020 Santa Fe SEL models.
With 2.4 engines non turbo engines and conventional 8 speed transmissions.
We are super happy with both ! Engine and trans work perfectly together..
By the way, both have a factory mounted spare tire mounted in that big empty space you show.
4 cyl engine would be a deal breaker for me.
Pos Korean cars
@@TimPool-b8z Luv our KOREANS built in the USA !
Except that the basic engine is seriously underpowered. I wish they would combine the turbo engine and the regular transmission from the lower models.
Great video and very informative content. As the owner of a Calligraphy with 15k miles on it I can say that the Santa Fe is an spectacular vehcile, with no issues what so ever.
One year later, is the DCT still driving well? I'm wanting to get a used 2022 with same wet DCT but I don't want problems. The one I'm eyeing is a buyback due to a "car won't move" issue...that Hyundai should have fixed.
@ofcbob6391 almost 30k miles on it and drives great, I did do the recall even though I had not experienced the issue. Make sure that hyundai did do the recall and go for it.
I have had a wonderful experience with my 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy with 23thousand miles..
One year later, is the DCT still driving well? I'm wanting to get a used 2022 with same wet DCT but I don't want problems. The one I'm eyeing is a buyback due to a "car won't move" issue...that Hyundai should have fixed.
I really like your mechanical based review. You absolutely helped me remove some cars from my list and add other cars to my list. As for this specific car, I decided to remove it due to the transmission. The DCT in this model has numerous complaints in Kia and Hyundai forums. Thanks a bunch!
Does BMW X1 have DCT?
BMW X1 is available in 1 transmission option(s) -Automatic (DCT). 🤷🏻♂️
The NA 2.5 has a 8 speed transmission and can be had in the SEL trim. No suede ceiling but oh well. Love my 21 SEL premium, even has...... A SPARE TIRE!!!😅
Great channel! No one else goes through all components and how they work. One love ❤️ from Jamaica 🇯🇲
I have 2009 Santa Fe with 290,000km mileage in Canada . Changed two times auto mission fluid and one time spark plugs. Got recall two times received (head gasket leak and fuel level sensor assembly) of course regulator engine oil and break system check. Still good power and gas consumption maintained only concern is rust to suspension system
I replaced the cradle frame (paid $100.00 used) from a 2011 car.
Got rid of a lot of problems. I do a lot of off roading, and didn’t undercoat… I love my old Sante Fe. If you can, keep your car on the road. Three shops (I trusted) told me the car was done. I put this frame on ( got the part and delivered it to shop.)
Next day, I was back on the road with my yearly inspection sticker. Saved my car.
Bought my wife a 2022 Hyundai Santa. It has been surprisingly very reliable. But no surprise either. I'm very detailed with my maintenance.
The 2014 (to 18 I guess) model looked so good and ahead of its time and then they decided to change it bc apparently they had to and things went rly rly south from then...
Can you please do an in-depth review of the Subaru Outback? Your mechanical expertise and the ability to explain it simply is such a huge help for many viewers!
Bought a 2023 Santa Fe Hybrid Limited Edition and so far I'm very pleased with it. Great safety features, has the standard automatic transmission and great gas mileage plus it's a pleasure on long drives with a range close to 600 miles for trips. We'll see how it holds up over the years.
This is the one I’m looking at myself. Currently I have a 2017 Tucson Limited. I love the car except for the crazy dual clutch transmission. It drives me bananas I can’t stand it. I do like Hyundai. It seems like you get a lot for your money But I’ve got to get into a normal translation prior to this. I owned a sonata hybrid, and I love that I love the hybrid aspect. It was so quiet and smooth especially when running on battery, but I’m more of an SUV guy so the Santa Fe hybrid I’m hoping is my ticket.thanks for commenting
Personally, Trim packages mean nothing to me. I want reliability. I like how you walk the underside on the lift. keep doing that.. and you tell the truth !!
I own a 2023 Santa Fe Calligraphy edition. I love it and I love that it does not have a third row. I hate cars that cram a third row in and it has no space. Third rows are for larger SUVs like the Palisade. Also, I wanted a front wheel drive rather than all wheel drive. My front wheel drive does come with a spare that is mounted under the car which I love. I also love all the storage under the trunk which is available because the tire is an under mount. The only thing I dislike about my Santa Fe is the panoramic sunroof which is standard in the Calligraphy edition. I wish you could get just a standard moon roof. I'm not excited about an all glass roof. Other than that I adore this vehicle.
I had the 2022 Calligraphy and it's an absolutely fantastic car, I just sold it to my folks who wanted to replace their older car. I'm actually deeply sad that we no longer have it, but it's better that its still in the family. My first Hyundai and was very impressed with it overall. I loved the comfort and ride and the power and the features of the Calligraphy trim.
I recently started a long term rental of this car & was not enamored at first. But the more I drive it & allow for the slight quirks I've started to fall in love. If I purchased one I would definitely invest the additional $2K for the calligraphy trim.
Would love to hear your thoughts on the redesigned 2024 Santa Fe gas & hybrid model
One thing to note on this Santa Fe. This is a very comfortable car to drive, especially if you are tall. I like the extended seating for support and leg room. It also has great safety features such as blind side cameras when you engage the turn signals. The huge panoramic sunroof with open/close auto shade is very helpful. I personally like the shift buttons rather than some big stick that takes up space.
The DCT would be a concern if you do drive in stop and go traffic all the time. But many of us do not and wonder if it really is a big concern. I would worry about it being a turbo engine rather than a standard v6.
We’ve had several Hyundais with no problems at all. We bought our son a 2023 Santa Fe. He’s got 15k miles on it already and it’s a great vehicle.
Always had Toyota, just got '23 Santa Fe, so far VERY NICE!!
Same here. Traded my toyota for a hyundai. Much happier
Have you had any issue with the car?
Santa Fe has always been the Hyundai Flagship. Great SUV.
It's funny hearing someone complain that there is not a 3rd row seat, when the lack of a 3rd row is what drew me to this. I am a single person with no kids I don't want a 3rd row and I would rather have the under floor storage than 2 seats I will never use.
Why the auto companies think we all need or want seating for seven is a mystery to me. Now, you have to get a Tucson to get 2 row seating since the new Santa Fe switched to 3 row.
Excellent info on the engine!! Informed buyers want to know these points! Thank you! This channel should have so many more "subs"!!! Thanks for going in-depth!!!
I 100% disagree with suvs of this size having a 3rd row. It would be completely useless and extremely tight, I'm glad manufacturers are removing them and keeping it on larger suvs. No one ever complained about the grand Cherokee not having a 3rd row (I know now they have an "L")
Also 10 year warranty on the transmission puts a little peace of mind into the situation.
Yes most 3rd row seats are for small children, unless you buy a large SUV ....
I have 7 seats adults fit in the rear without issue
I have no kids and no need for a third row. That’s why I bought a 23 Santa Fe.
I do not like the third row seat, the new 2024, Sorrento and Santa Fe. They could leave it out. As far as I care. I like the big back flat. That's what I'm after
the new one has a usable third row
Why this channel does not have 300 million followers, I do not know. I know that I am happy to follow and hear the wealth of relevant information this man shares. Aside from the monetary compensation earned, I extend my gratitude and appreciation for what you do. If you have haters, I pray a Psalm 91 on your behalf to them.
I recently rented a Santa Fe and was quite impressed by it. It is indeed very spacious, drives well even on the base model. I do not like the front end and feel its not going to age well.
This design has been out since 2019, new model next year ;-) There are spy photos of it on the web.
Check the new 2024 Santa Fe out. That's pretty nice. I think I'm going to go for the Sorrento 2024 Kia
You just Killed this me with a The DCT. Your observation was a good one about the Jerkiness in Stop and Go traffic. It was pointed out in a different review about the Pros and Cons of the Sante Fe. That reviewer pointed out it is very annoying jerkiness in the Auto Turnoff / Auto On system - he said it was very unsettling! Thats a NO in my Book. Too Bad, the size and vehicle features would be such a nice fit for me. A 71 YO retired guy who doesn't do lots of major trips or commuting anymore.
Really funny and sometimes incomprehensible way of presenting the vehicles features, to me he talks a bit like this: "Now in the front of the car we will find the engine. Nothing special, most manufacturers will place it there, it will drive the car, and things like that. But that's about it. If we look at the side of the car we see two wheels, it makes car look big, and they will roll the car backwards and forwards, but that's about it." etc. 😂 Very unique guy.
Us here in Australia we also get the same trim but called “highlander” with an option of 2.2l turbo diesel which has a full size spare which would explain the giant void at the back,,,and quite surprisingly you’d see Santa Fe’s here modded with bull bars and all terrains driving in the outback which is impressive for a 7seat city suv
And also a 3.5L V6, but disappointingly in FWD only.
I'm a fan of only two rows of seats. I had a 2002 and 2012 Santa Fe. In 2018 I ended up with a Grand Cherokee because the Santa Fe had 3 rows of seats. My kids are grown and I don't need extra seating. I am pleased that Hyundai has gone back to the original seating that gets me more cargo room. I will probably go back to the Santa Fe when I replace my Grand Cherokee. My wife has the Genesis G70 so we are pleased with Hyundai products.
Nice Review as always, can't wait for your review to the 2023 Grand Highlander Platinum
I mean 2024
The plastic on the back of the front seats is better durability for kids, which is the main back seat occupant. Less cost to replace also.
I hate when reviewers complain about it.
I'm glad this video was less biased than the plug-in video. The Hybrid is not a dual clutch..plus mine came with a spare tire and it's mounted under the car
I have a 2023 Santa Fe calligraphy. Love it! So far no problems. I hope I don’t jinx it. Lol
One year later, is the DCT still driving well? I'm wanting to get a used 2022 with same wet DCT but I don't want problems. The one I'm eyeing is a buyback due to a "car won't move" issue...that Hyundai should have fixed.
@@ofcbob6391 no problems yet. I hope 🤞🏻 I don’t jinx it. Lol
After our 2016 Rav4 torque converter started shuddering at only 80 thousand miles and we were quoted nearly 5 thousand dollars to fix it we traded it in for a 22 Santa Fe with the naturally aspirated 2.5 and standard 8 speed transmission. We absolutely love this car so far. It has much more space, comfort and despite being larger our MPG is much better than it was in the Rav4. Ive always been a Toyota fan so I was hesitant to get a Hyundai but the warranty is what finally sold us on it. And the Santa Fe is ranked number 39 out of 100 on the American Made Cars Index, it is made in Alabama.
Give it a few more thousand miles.
You would've been better fixing the Toyota. You'll regret buying that POS Hyundai.
@@21Piloteer so far in my experience Toyota has set the bar pretty low 😂 We had several other issues out of the Rav4 before we traded, torque converter was just the straw that broke the camels back.
@@Observing9303 Don't listen to these haters. I drove the 4runner for the longest time and switched to Hyundai Palisades 3 years ago and not a single thing wrong with it at 75k miles. The 4runner on the other hand had some issues with the automatic windows not rolling up and the back tail gate plastic latch handle melting completely off where it needed to be replaced after just 4 years of ownership. Great purchase!
I live in Australia and our Hyundai / Kia are all buildt in South Korea. The top speck Highlander comes in 2.2 diesel or 3.5 l petrol.
It also comes with a third row and full size mag wheel as spare.
The diesel has the DCT in and petrol the 8 speed auto ( great) .
A great car. I have the petrol engine one, only comes in fwd though.
Folks I drive the diesel 2.2 D with the 8 speed DCT… so far it is butter smooth and way better than the 6 speed auto torque converter one I had before… let’s see what future has in store but I like the smooth power delivery so far.
Interesting. I have a Santa fe from 2007, 7 seats, with 250.000 + miles and it runs like a charm. Very spacey inside, interiors and plastic ages well. No engine issues, just basic maintenance, which i do myself. Brakes and tyres last at least 60.000 miles. This car looks like it will last forever.
Hyundai are a good carmaker, i´v had two so far and never had any major issues with them, first one was a 2006 and the current one is a 2018 both have had zero mechanical issues.
My 2018 with the 2.5 and FWD has been flawless. Two recalls were the only non-service trips to the dealer.
From your in depth appraisal, one might want to consider getting this car and then dumping it before the 10 year 100,000 mile (which ever comes first) warrantee ends.
There have been rumors that the 2024 Santa Fe will include the 3rd row seats.
Excellent coverage of this car!
Dual Clutch - excellently explained. People love or hate it BUT if you understand how it works (trying to predict your next gear), it greatly improves your chances to love it. That said - they are moving most non-sport intended cars to their traditional and very successful (that is how engineering goes with transmission - it takes time to know) 8 and 6 speed units which are literally industry leading.
I have a 2023 Calligraphy and agree with pretty much all your comments. It’s a beautiful car with a ton of great features. I don’t like the button shifter, as sometimes the button selection doesn’t take the first time! The touchscreen is laggy and glitchy at times, but it’s easy to see items when it’s working well. It torque steers like mad, which is a major safety and handling issue. It nearly ripped the steering wheel out of my hand during a hard acceleration. The transmission is clunky. The cargo compartment is impressive though. I fit an electric upright piano and quite a few guitars in the back no problem.
Calligraphy model comes with color heads up display, once you get use to that feature it’s hard to not have it.
We ended up buying a PHEV Santa Fe last year after a deer took out our last car. The Toyota dealership was asking way too much for a Rav4 (10k markup + 50k for a PHEV RAV 4). Compared to the Santa Fe, the Rav4 was a massive disappointment and has no business being priced at 60k. I do think they're on to something with the PHEV drivetrain since the electric motor replaces the torque converter. My only gripe is the HSG(Hybrid Starter Generator), which is belt driven. Hopefully they can eliminate that redundancy in favor for a single motor that can engage the engine while powering the transmission. Overall excellent vehicle from the short year I've had it; it's a shame they no longer qualify for the government rebate.
PS: Funny enough, the PHEV does include a spare tire, but no cargo cover (12v was relocated to the back)
A proper manual or a torque converter based conventional auto are the only transmissions to trust. The Mazda CX-5 has been well reviewed for years and it only has a 6 speed auto with a torque converter - I'm not sure we need 10 speed autos, either.
E-cvts have a solid track record too Toyota has been using them for decades in their hybrids without major problems
I have 2022 year with 8 speed transmission and 3rd raw seat, I am very happy with. It is also made in Korea!!!
My wife bought a Hyundai Santa fe Highlander (Australia)7 seater replacing Landrover Disco 3 which was very nice but the SF is better in many ways including
its versatility and still tow the camper trailer with ease.👍👍
Love the way you decode the car ! Could you please do a review on Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2023.
A great review. I agree with you 100% that DCTs can be pain when driving in town. Fixing one out of warranty costs an arm and a leg.
ohhh that's why there are so many new hyundais in junkyard...
@@fffwe3876 No that's just from the exploded engines
This is the best review i see ever.I wish to see review for Honda Pilot 2023
Watching from my 2010 santa fe limted. 200k no problem
The DCT is why I crossed this one off of the list....I remember that VW took years to fix their DCT issues. I have a DCT in another/sports car, which is not a daily driver...that is fine.
I own a 22 Santa Fe. Very nice car. I change the oil on a regular basis, with no carbon build-up. Nice ride, very comfortable. Smooth.
You must have the non-turbo and regular 8 speed transmission.
I own a 2013 VW Passat TDI with a Dual clutch 6 speed transmission. Everything he said about the jerky shifting is on point. Driving in traffic is a little annoying with a DCT; however, normal driving is perfectly fine. DCT is not a really refined transmission. It’s more of a performance transmission.
Another great and very thorough review by the Mechanic who is very honest and knowledgeable. Hyundai and other manufactures need to hire him as an advisor when building their vehicles!
The DCT in my late 2023 Calligraphy is excellent. It is on par with the best transmissions I’ve ever used. Time will tell on the durability.
You touched on it when you mentioned the cargo area, but I immediately noticed the ample legroom in the back seat of the '23 Santa Fe compared to my '17 model. Then I had my "a-ha!" moment: this was the "old" 3-seater (now known as the Palisade), and the rear-seat passengers are reaping the benefits of that decision.
I would gladly trade a couple of those interior features, especially the silly blue accent lighting, for a spare tire.
I had a 2018 santa fe turbo sport limited, that drove beautifully !!! Shifting, pick up was awesome !!!! I'm in my fourth hyundai, veracruz, santa fe,palisade, now tucson limited. All great running vehicles. Plus blue link for starting, climate control settings, vehicle info. Is incredible !!! Great review. You should write to hyundai about your suggestions !!!
You're referencing the front seats having plastic covers on the back to save money which it probably does, but I believe that it is for protection when the rear seats are down and you're carrying bulky stuff. It would rip leather easy. I love your reviews and you seriously need to get on Subaru. If you want to see more broomstick drive shafts Subaru has em and one tiny differential 😂.
@15:45, that is the void for a space saver spare which you can purchase separately. Otherwise you just have the pump and fix-a-flat.
Channels like this are great
Thorough review. Just wanted to provide one update/criticism that my 2023 Santa Fe calligraphy did come with a spare tire and Jack kit.
I would really like to work for this guy. Seems he runs a quality shop.
I prefer air to air intercoolers; 1 pipe carrying air in, 1 pipe carrying air out. Easy. Air to water adds a multitude of clamps, hoses, integrated cooler in a molded plastic manifold, separate resevoir tank, separate pump etc.
I prefer electronic wastegates; in short, the ECM has finer resolution for boost control.
I just bought one in Europe. I have 7 seater and 2.2 diesel with excellent mileage. I have also spare wheel at the buttom back where you showed this big empty space.
It is funny how the car specificatikns differs. I do not take DCT as minus. Here in EU it is wet clutch DCT, and DCTs are prevailing solutions for the cars here.
The price is reasonable. In EU one of the best offers in this segment.
I have never seen a vehicle review that was this in-depth. All the other reviews do not get into the mechanical side of things. I plan to get a Santa Fe later in the year. My plan is to keep it for at least 10 years. With the warranty and the build quality I think that I can get more than 10 years.
When you were at the back end, underside (the empty spot you pointed out at around 28:00), I noticed some rubber pads on the frame. I bet you could install something to hang a spare tire in that cavity.
You absolutely can, and it was the first thing I did when I got mine. Just need to get the parts for a lower trim, which DOES come with them. Other markets also have the spares, some even have full size spares, which is what I put in mine. It takes like 10 minutes and, I think 6 bolts (which are already there) to install the lift for the spare and you don't even have to jack up the car.
The Kia Sorento it's a cousin SUV, but the 3rd row and rear cargo space are extremely cramped. It's still a beautiful looking car in the interior and exterior.
I agree. I rented the 23 sorrento and it was amazing. after I rented this hyundai santa fe 23 and it was great too. I chose to buy a 23 hyundai santa fe
Love this channel. All other car review channel are just salesman review. Not goin into details, only concern is to sell and get the car off the lot, typical salesman. I remember watching a review comparing a toyota hybrid and honda hybrid mentioned ecvt for hondas are the same for toyota. Found out on this channel, hondas got way different cvts. Keep it up!
Don't be misled by the commentary about DCT (dual clutch transmission) . NOT ALL SANTA FE HYBRIDS HAVE THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. I just purchased a new 2023 Hybrid SEL Premium. It has only a 1.6 liter turbo charged engine and a 6 (not 8) speed transmission WITHOUT DCT. It prefomrs quite well - much pepper that my old 3.5L V6 Santa Fe. I just turned 2000 miles on the SEL today and did a little experiment. I took it for an hour drive around the city and got 40 mpg! Granted, the trip was not stop-&-go; but neither was it interstate driving. If I'm getting that kind of city mileage now, I expect I will do somewhat better as the car gets completely broken in.
Hello, has there been any dissatisfaction with this car so far?
I like your videos. Keeping things simple makes sense to me. Fewer things to break down... I will not buy any turbocharged vehicles.
Had a rental one SEL non-turbo and it was very nice and well equipped with tech features.
Thought that this looked very interesting but then I saw early pictures of the ‘24 model. WOW - can’t wait to see your review on this updated model when it is available.
Love that they didn't cram the mostly useless 3rd row seat in this car.
i got the 2020 Santa Fe 2.2 crdi 4WD (pre-facelift). I love the 8 speed AT and also dislike the new 6 s DCT. Another dislike for both models is the 1-button opperation of the passenger ventilation. You got only 1 button for direction AND intensity of the airflow (old 2013 Santa Fe got 2 buttons). Very nice video!
I have a 2022 Limited, and I feel that they did the DCT really well. It's far smoother than the VW/Audi 7-speed and 95% of the time even in a parking lot crawl you wouldn't know it doesn't have a torque converter. It's wet clutch now, so hopefully less wear issues than the older dry clutch version. Every so often you get a very slightly clunky shift, but I find it's only when you're decelerating or coasting and it thinks you're slowing down, but then you go 50%+ throttle and it needs to hunt for the gear. I do like the rev matches on up/down shits (with paddles), it's extremely smooth, however the clutch doesn't engage for maybe 0.5s on a downshift - it sounds like it shifted with the rev match, but you don't have actual engine braking until those clutches lock up again. Very minor complaint at the price point. Also... lower trims did come with a spare tire. Can't comprehend why they'd omit from Limited and above but there is room for it if somebody wanted to order up the OEM parts.
I would prefer the air to air intercooler. MUCH simpler. Liquid to air, requires a pump, and hoses, and lots of opportunity for leaks in bad places.. at the the heat exchanger.
A leak in an air to air system will just show up as a hissing noise, and you would get a code for low boost probably.
Also.. liquid to air systems can become heat soaked if they dont make the liquid radiator large enough. Maybe they figured this would be towing or under boost more since its a large car. Air to Air is more reliable in this situation... and they have the room in the engine bay for the tubing.
We have a 2015 Santa Fe Sport turbo with a 6 speed converter automatic and a 2018 Kona Turbo with a 7 speed DCT. Our Kona's DCT is the best, most fun transmission I have ever driven. It does everything the converter type does but quicker and smoother. Manual shift is pure joy. I place it in neutral when waiting more than 30 seconds at a light. With the 10 year 100 K warranty I'm not loosing sleep over reliability. Other than that this dude is the best reviewer on the Internet - and I'm a retired Honda Master tech. Alex on Autos is my second choice, but he never goes deep in the mechanical parts.
Fantastic review! Best one around, it's so nice being able to see under the car and get your thoughts on the long term reliability both good and bad!
Pls review their 3.5 lit v6 too
Love your reviews!!!! Would be interested to hear your review of a Subaru, preferrably of one of their small to mid-sized sedans (although I understand reviewing something like a Crosstrek, Outback, or a Forester would probably be more widely appreciated).
Forgettaboutit! Stick to Toyotas or the newer MAzdas CX-50 or CX-90.
Subaru outback is the only real subaru..others meehh useless..
Car manufacturers can hire this guy as their engine consultant
Wow this . This is exactly what I want to know before I buy a car. Thank you
Hyundai is so close to making excellent cars, just wish they make these common sense decisions like avoiding a dual clutch for cars like this and get the reliability up on their powertrains.
They have so many other issues other than that. They are garbage cars
“So close to making excellent cars” Are you delusional? You must work for them or something
@@donc6781 Their interiors are better than Toyota in terms of luxury. Toyota has a much cheaper feeling to it, Hyundai splurges on look and feel of interior materials. Where they cheapen is their powertrain reliability. They offset this by their warranty. It’s a trade off that they’ve been doing for decades. But it’s been working for them in terms of growth and market share.
@@smrtguy77777 Unless you’re the original owner of the vehicle, they will do what they can to deny warranty claims
I’d rather have a reliable car with a proven track record, rather than a nice interior.
@@donc6781 they are better than both honda and toyota. Update your brain with new information kid.
I prefer this because it doesn't have the third row and it gives you more cargo space. If you want the size vehicle with the third row then you get the Sorento. But I wouldn't pay that much for any Hyundai or kia. You're now getting into Lexus territory.
What Hyundai SUV would you recommend to keep for an e tended time?
@@raywebb4824Hyundai Tucson! 40k miles no issues 2022 model year the refresh is coming to dealerships late summer they changed the interior heavily so much nicer now
Exactly, a lot of people want a mid-size SUV without needing a third row. So why deal with the extra cost and complication of a third row that would just take up some space, and would be always down anyway.
Interesting how in the US market you don't get a spare wheel, yet in Australia we get a full size alloy wheel.
Also the option of a 2.2L Diesel 4cyl, very good engine too. However V6 is only avaliable in FWD down in Australian markets.
Another interesting feature only on some markets, primarily Australia is the rear 3rd row a/c (proper system e.g another evaporator, blower fan & refrigerant lines)
I would imagine a spare tire is not as critical here in the states because there aren't many places we might drive to that are hours away from civilization, a flatbed or a service station. That tire repair kit is useless if you blow out your sidewall, but it won't leave you stranded hours away from help in an area with no reception . That said, I still wouldn't buy a car without a spare tire because I'd rather change a flat than wait on AAA.
There's a big push for putting on run flat tires. Americans are lazy and afraid of anyone that isn't the right color. We don't want to stop for anything like a flat tire.
I have a 22 Calligraphy and love it. I guess if the tranny goes, since I have low mileage always, the warranty will give me a new one. I have over 8 years left. Plenty of time to trade for something else later.
Sold my 7 year old Hyundai Elantra three years ago. Bought a SEVENTEEN year old LS430. Never looked back. The quality is in the Lexus.
Lexus is junk
Hyundai and KIA 💩 💩
If you want the third row get the kia sorento.
In middle of coping RAV4, system crashed, and Hyundai got Santa Fe. Great review.
Great channel, keep the amazing work going for years to come. Hope to see a review for the NEW 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe from a mechanic POV.
Can you cover engines from other regions as well in your future reviews, it will attract more viewers.
In Australia/New Zealand we have the 2.2d engine instead.
The dry DCT in these cars would only suffer in very bad city traffic and in hot weather, so it’s very unusual. Otherwise most people would NOT know any better as it’s smooth!
The 2.5T DCT is a wet clutch. Even better cooling than dry.
The Santa Fe also has auto brake hold so you can use that in stop & go traffic
personally i would recommend everyone check out the facelift santa fe and just wait till start of next year to buy it, day and night difference and 100% better in quality and interior looks and features, and subjectively better exteriorly too!
Car Confections bought one, within a few weeks it broke down, put a new engine in it, broke down again. Hyundai had to buy it back!