2010 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 2.4 from North America

Summary:

Awful

Faults:

Transmission.

Engine sensor.

Starter.

Undetermined problem that was miraculously fixed after 2 days at the dealer.

Upholstery.

General Comments:

Liked the styling and the price.

Lots of features.

Previously owned a Hyundai, and had excellent service and experience.

The warranty is a real joke. Not as advertised.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th January, 2013

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD 3.5L 6 cylinder gas from North America

Summary:

Like it, and barring any further tranny thumps, may just buy another

Faults:

Recall to add a suspension strut was covered by a ten minute fix.

3 trips into the dealership for a reset of the 6 speed automatic transmission "program", due to unexpected and loud thumps from the trans.

This occurred when the trans was not under load, while idling along in traffic with my foot off the gas, and the trans would suddenly clunk once enough to cause alarm. This is apparently a common occurrence. Last reset was about 500 kms ago, and no clunks since. Maybe someone with a tech background can explain what is going on? I can't even speculate.

Mileage is reasonable in comparison to the manufacturer's figures, but I wouldn't call it exemplary.

General Comments:

Nice, comfortable car. Has all the mod cons, save backup cam and sat nav.

Looked at another Honda Accord, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, but for what the Santa Fe cost loaded, the others were stripped down cloth seat base models with few options.

The car is great on the highway and in town. It passes swiftly, and is brilliant on Canadian winter roads with AWD, and kitted out with Bridgestone snow tires and winter rims. Like a tank in ice and snow, but rides and handles well.

I am 6'6" 2M tall and a big man, and it is very comfortable on long trips. Good seat adjustments, without making the back seat passengers feel like they are in economy.

I would rather drive a reliable car that handles well, and pay less, than pay an extra $20K for a trendmobile to impress whom? I have better things to spend my money on.

The auto writers seem to still have a woody for Hyundai, and it shows, but these are well built reliable cars with long warranties. Styling may be a bit of borrow from here and there, but every manufacturer does that now to the point of style homogeneity!

Visibility is excellent for parking lots, and city and highway driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd July, 2012

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe CRDI Premium 2.2 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good car

Faults:

Clutch failed at 11,000 miles.

Cruise control appears to deactivate of its own free will.

General Comments:

Very surprised to find the clutch failing after 11,000 miles, not what you would expect on a new car.

Tonneau cover in the back could do with being higher up, so you can get more luggage in and keep it covered.

Newer engine 190bhp is great - nice and powerful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th October, 2010

7th Feb 2012, 12:18

I also have a 2010, and I like the exterior and interior. But I'm not too satisfied with the running of it.

I've had to replace a lining with it in 2011, had a bad oil leak.

The molding by the door is about to fall off anytime.

I took a drive to Salamanca, Allegheny this past summer. It was a dangerous drive as I had my 5 year old niece with me. I would be driving on the freeway, and all of a sudden the truck would power down and I'd be going under 60 on a 110kph freeway! I'd have to pull over and restart the car and drive another 200 feet, and do it all over again.

I've had several sensor problems.

Window is slow going up.

I was also at school, and the Santa Fe would not start. I needed to call CAA to boost me, and the worker recommended me getting a new vehicle, because this was not the first time he's heard of these trucks being nothing but trouble.

I am currently looking for another vehicle.