Nothing.
After three Volvo's this vehicle is refreshing. In fact, this vehicle is almost everything my last V70 should have been. It handles better. It rides better. It's MUCH quieter. It has great directional stability. It cost's only a very little more to fuel it, with regular fuel compared to Volvo's premium thirst.
I'm a large person (6ft,3in.) so I needed almost 2 months to get used to the drivers seat. The seat cushion is too short (I knew this when I made the purchase decision, but I also knew I could become accustomed to it). Even with it fully adjusted for rake it leans forward causing the driver to slide ever so slightly forward while braking even moderately. A nuisance which I intend to correct by raising the front of the cushion with longer bolts and spacers. Otherwise I have adapted.
We have recently returned from a holiday to Maine in it. It proved to be a worthy, and comfortable companion. My wife loves the car. Other people seem to like it also. In fact, we hadn't had the car 10 minutes when we were hailed by a person passing in a Honda and asked what it was, and where could she could get one. She thought it was beautiful. We have had many admirers since.
The interior looks very upscale, the HVAC, with dual controls works, just as good as our old Volvo. The defroster even better. The radio sounds good, but has weak reception. The storage bins in the cargo area floor are a bonus.
I did shop all the other comparable SUV's. They just don't compare in quiet, ride, or comfort.
Only one thing I wish for. Diesel power. I would buy it in a second, having had a couple of diesel powered Peugeots many years ago.
Note to current '07 Santa Fe owners. The roof rack cross bars are easily removed (less than five minutes, only a screw driver needed) and when removed makes the car even quieter. I found that they added wind noise at highway speed.
That's it then. I don't have any of the negative vibes I had developed early on with my last Volvo. I'm very upbeat about our future with this car. This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
I own a current model diesel in Australia and having driven the petrol (gas as you call it), there is no comparison. Although good, the petrol can't match the diesel's torque and fuel economy. In the US, you need to apply pressure to gain more diesel models. The fuel economy and advantages of diesel is the way of the future.
Hyundai-Volvo comparison? Well, water is good, but when you need something better you drink a beer! Forget the price!
Just did the 36k checkup. This is a good, reliable car. It drives well. It tracks well. It is comfortable and roomy. I have become accustomed to the short seat cushion. The radio reception is, sometimes, not very good, but still sounds great.
Average gas mileage is 23.7 Imp. MPG. Hiway is 32 Imp. MPG plus. Regular grade fuel. Excellent in this time of expensive gas.
Have worn out the front brake pads, but I expected that. It seems traction control and ECS really eat up the pads.
People still seem amazed by the car. They often ask about the car, suspecting a tale of woe, to discover that it's just as reliable as a Toyota, delivers on its advertised promises, and I am still happy with it. And I am very fussy about cars. I once got rid of an 8 month old Volvo due to a rattle they couldn't and wouldn't fix.
Having driven Volvos, for the 10 years prior to this purchase, I can say this car is everything that the Volvo V70 currently aspires to, but simply doesn't deliver any more.
I am looking forward to Hyundai's upcoming diesel version in 2010. I can't wait to get my hands on it.
As for the dealers. Well, they don't vacuum your wallet the way the Volvo dealers do, but they aren't very professional. There is currently no dealer in my area. They went belly-up a month after I bought mine. The dealer I tried for the cars first checkup lied to me. The second dealer wasn't listening. The current dealer is OK, but forgot to return the wheel lock socket to the tire well after a tire rotation. Though they did deliver it to me 4 days later. Will give them another try.
Now at 50,000 kilometers. Santa Fe still delivering smiles. Another trip to the Maine coast went as smoothly as the first.
Only issue at 44k kliks was a broken sway bar bushing. Fixed under warranty.
Gas Mileage is very good. Ride and control still great. And still quieter than our last Volvo.
Dealers appear to be getting sharper... betting the owners don't read their owners manuals. Local dealer tried to scam me out of $450cdn for an oil change, tire rotation, and numerous item inspections (48k service). Had to show him the manual. Didn't look like he'd ever seen the maintenance schedule, by the look on his face.
The things he wanted to do to that car... like sending it to the spa.
October 26/2009 82000km's.
As good as a Toyota or Lexus in the reliability department. Interior standing up to my particular brand of abuse. Easy to clean the leather. The beige coloured floors are a little off from their original hue, but that's more to do with the dirt, and snow we get up here. I noticed the '08s and later rightly get the dark floor carpets even with the tan lather. Replaced the original Bridgestone tires with Kumho R51's at 68000km's. Noticeable difference in ride, comfort, bad weather handling, noise and PRICE. Not that the Bridgestones were bad, just the Kumho's are that much better and about $50/tire cheaper.
Another trip to Maine (likely the last for awhile) without incident. My son's 1 year old Ford Escape V6 blew up in the Catskill's on the way home. Warranty, but a huge inconvenience just the same.
Ultimately, I really like my Santa Fe. You will too!
I have my eye on a new Genesis, but that will have to wait for retirement in a couple of years.
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