2003 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS review from North America
"Great value for the price"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
No problems so far.
General comments?
The car has some zip to it, I had read the 2002's were underpowered. The 3.5L is a quiet, smooth runner and accelerates acceptably. I wouldn't consider any of the other smaller displacement engines offered. Transmission shifts are almost unnoticeable, and the ride is surprisly smooth.
The front seating is comfortable, control placement functional. The rear seating area, while not as roomy as the Mercury Villager we traded in, seats my 3 children comfortably. Three adults would be cramped in the rear seats. The rear storage area is spacious enough for most grocery getting and light hauling.
Overall, the Sante Fe was the best value for the price of all the small SUV's we considered. Combined with the fantastic warranty we couldn't pass it up.
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| 2002 - Santa Fe GLS AWD 2.7 Litre Hippopotamus styling, but just as durable |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 2003 |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.5L Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 50 miles |
| Most recent distance | 5100 miles |
| Previous car | Mercury Villager |
| Date of Entry | 9th September, 2003 |