Major problems have occurred that should not with a new car

We live high in the Colorado Rockies (11,000' above sea level) and so far like the way the car handles on paved and dirt roads and it's performance at this altitude. However, we've already had to have the catalytic converter replaced and the clutch master cylinder replaced. All of these problems caused us multiple trips to the Dealer (a 5-hour round trip for each visit) before the correct diagnoses were obtained and the problems fixed. We used to have a Subaru (200,000 miles with minimal problems) and switched to Hyundai because of their high reputation now in the industry. So far we're not impressed. Time will tell.

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Buying the 2007 Santa Fe was 2 firsts for us: our first S.U.V., and our first import. Although we are told that this car is manufactured in Alabama, there seems to be a fit and finish to this car that we have never seen in our Chevys or Fords. Our new Santa fe is also our migration away from the world of mini-vans, as the children are moving to college. The Santa Fe seats 4 very comfortably, 5 would be okay for short distances. Rear seats recline, which is nice for teens, who never seem to get enough sleep. The sound system is great, and A/C vents mounted on the rear door posts make for a very comfortable ride, even for an adult. When we test drove this car, I made it a point to switch with the salesman and have him drive while I sat in the back. I was not disappointed. Power with the 3.3 liter V6 was sufficient, even with the air conditioning on. Highway driving was a pleasure, with plenty of power for the on-ramps, and surprisingly low noise levels.

We looked at the third row seating, didn't get it, it looks like a waste of space.

Surprising fit and finish; all the options you will ever need; excellent ride both in the city and on the highway; very nicely appointed interior (Limited with leather). Much better looking for the 2007 model year, sans all the bumps and curves from previous model years.

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First S.U.V., minivans and passenger cars only.

SAFETY! Six airbags STANDARD! Exceeds all US safety requirements and got highest all-over safety rating by any SUV, ever (even in a roll-over)! Hyundai offers a 2.7L V6 and a 3.3L V6 and the 2.7 gets pretty good gas mileage. Great vehicle for a family of 4 or less. Masive cargo/storage area in 5 passanger, but it also comes in a 7 passanger option. Not much leg room in the 7 passanger and you loose all the cargo space when the 3rd row seats are in use (can fold them down when not in use, for cargo space). Center console is very well designed and easy to use.

Not too much to complain about. The base model GLS offers everything you need, the options are nice but not really necessary in this level of vehicle. The 5 passanger is kind of tight for a family of 5 (3 car seats in the second row), but still works OK for us.

Quality vehicle, built well, drives like a car and has all the safety features you could ever want. Great vehicle for the price! Yet to take it on a long trip, but we're sure it'll be great. CARGO SPACE galore!

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Have driven a 2005 Hyundai Tucson 2.7L V6... the 2007 Santa Fe is a much larger and more comfortable vehicle when you need room for 3 car seats. For the extra $2000, go with the Sanat Fe!

Well designed and thought out, fit and finish, super smooth ride, quite cabin, engine and transmission, controls, safety features.

Quality, quality, quality!

Reversing visibility is slightly hampered by the two wide rear pillars. Be careful while backing up people!

Dome light too far back.

No 'auto-on' for 'map lights' upon vehicle exiting.

Shifter should have some sort of physical locking device while in 'Sport Shift' mode.

My 2007 Santa Fe GL with the 242 horsepower 3.3 Liter V6 engine and All Wheel Drive is a quality vehicle all round.

The ride is super smooth, which is a result of the 4 wheel independent suspension. The cabin is super quite with next to none road noise!

The engine and transmission are a good match. Awesome acceleration with super smooth shifting from the 5 gear auto tranny. A cool transmission feature on all 3.3L models is the 'SHIFTRONIC' manual shifting (Sport Shifting). With shiftronic engaged, the driver has full control over gear selection! Just like a manual transmission, minus the clutch. Great for adverse weather conditions!

I found first gear to be 'very' short. However, as I played with the shifter a bit (in sport shift mode), I noticed that the driver is able to select 2nd gear while at a stand-still. No need to start off in 1st!

Another cool feature of the sport shifting is that even though you can 'manually' row up and down through the gears, if you need to make a quick stop, the tranny will take over and shift down for you! Cool huh?

The All Wheel Drive models are an 'On-Demand' set up. If the computer senses wheel spin, engine power is split 50/50 to the front and back. Once the slippage subsides, it's back to front wheel driving. The driver has the option of 'locking' the rear differential to give 'full-time' 4x4 drive.

Brakes are excellent, however, if you need to make a quick stop, it takes quite a bit of peddle press to slow the vehicle.

Dash controls are placed well and easy to operate. At night, all controls are lit with a awesome blue light. It looks like the cockpit of a jet fighter plane!

The Santa Fe (sans sunroof) welcomes taller drivers 6'+. In models without a sunroof, there is plenty of head room for tall people. Leg room is ample also. If you opt for a sunroof, be prepared to loose significant head room! My advice... if you're tall, sit in a model that has a sunroof and one that doesn't... You make the call.

The seats are firm and comfortable. The head restraints (front seats) move both up/down and forward/backward. The F/B adjustment allows the occupant to adjust his/her head rest to such a position that will provide 'full' head restraint... Kudos to Hyundai for this very cool feature!

The second row seats (not sure about third row) recline... Wow, this vehicle is awesome! This is the first car that I have known to have reclining 'rear' seats.

For those of you who are considering the 7 passenger Santa Fe, do not expect to carry 7 adults! Reason being, the third row seats are only big enough to carry small children. Average size adults will not be comfortable in the third row.

The stowage area in the back has plenty of room with two hide-away storage bins. A smaller one for jack, tools etc... and a larger one for misc. stuff. Blanket, first aide kit, kids toys, whatever...

There are 3 power outlets for cellphones etc. One for each row of seating.

Very anxious to try out the AWD... Bring on Winter!!!

Hyundai has a winner with the redesigned Santa Fe. Honda watch your back... here comes Hyundai!

Best vehicle I have ever owned!

Thank you Hyundai!

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None...

good warranty, good size

noisey, can hear all outside wind sounds.
Gear shift problem

I have a 2001 Santa Fe, I do enjoy this little SUV, for the most part it has been no problem, but about 2 yrs. after purchase the reverse gear shift began hesitating most times I put it in reverse. Now after all this time it has a very long hesitation almost every time I put it in reverse, very scary at time, depending why I need to back up. i have repeatly told my service rep. each time I went in. Most of the time I was told that is pretty normal for a SF, but now it is beginning to get bad. They did an adjustment, I am told, at my 60,000 mi. service, but I notice no change.
For this reason alone, I probably will not purchase another SF, even though I really like the car.

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everything!!

it doesn't fly? LOL!!!!

i bought this vehicle new in the spring of 2002. it now has over 114,000 miles on it. the brakes were replaced at the 60,000 mile mark and the tires at 90,000..other than oil changes tht is all that has ever had to be done to this fine SUV......i love it and would get another one in a heartbeat. 2 friends of mine have purchased one based on their having ridden in mine. my only gripe is that i was never able to take advantage of the 100,000 mile warranty...LOL!!! it has been to florida twice from illinois straight through the night and it is a joy to drive...i averaged 22-24 mpg with my 6 cyl.

everything!!

it doesn't fly? LOL!!!!

i bought this vehicle new in the spring of 2002. it now has over 114,000 miles on it. the brakes were replaced at the 60,000 mile mark and the tires at 90,000..other than oil changes tht is all that has ever had to be done to this fine SUV......i love it and would get another one in a heartbeat. 2 friends of mine have purchased one based on their having ridden in mine. my only gripe is that i was never able to take advantage of the 100,000 mile warranty...LOL!!! it has been to florida twice from illinois straight through the night and it is a joy to drive...i averaged 22-24 mpg with my 6 cyl.

Smooth ride, inexpensive, decent warranty if you don't drive it much.

The engine and servicing.

Love the ride, hate the maintenance. In it's 130k mile history, this car has been a mechanical nightmare. Everything on it has been replaced at least once despite never being in an accident. The Transfer case leaked, the ball joints (all of them) had to be replaced and now I am replaced the front ones. All brake pads replaced 4x, rotors once. Alternator, windshield wiper motors, battery 3x, etc. I have a stack of service orders three inches thick. Never buy a first-year model!

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I have a been given a 2001 Sante Fe from a close relative when it had only 20000 miles on it. It now has 83000 miles and is completely falling apart. The car is only a little over 6 years and has had the tires changed 2 times, brakes have been replaced 4 times, rotars replaced 3 times, both ball joints in the front replaced 2 times, speed sensor replace 1 time (and I am having problems with my spedometer now, only 3 months after its replacement), rear driver's side door power lock replaced, passenger front window placed back on track, headlight convers replaced, stereo display no longer works, rear middle cup holder needs replaced ($300), and I am sure there will be much more before I can afford to buy a different vehicle, definitely not a Hyundai though!!!!!!!

Safe driving with confidence in snow. Actually, in 2002 we had a 18 inch Presidents Day storm and I drove 20 miles to work on the unplowed roads (up and down mountain hills). Low cost for mainteance over 6 years and counting. All around safe a confident driving. Power and handling. Interior comfort.

None

I have had this Sante Fe over 6 years. It has 98500 miles. I currently have it in for rear wheel bearings and they are 100% covered. You have to love the warranty.
I replaced tires and brakes only once.
I have driven a variety of SUVs and the Sante Fe is hands down the best one yet. As a matter of fact I have a 2007 Nissan Murano AWD loaner from the dealer. While I had the loaner we had a significant snow storm and the 2007 Nissan can't compare to the Sante Fe when it comes to driving in snow. Every winter I am more and more amazed at just how great the Sante Fe runs in the snow. It can't be stopped!!! On wet rain slicked roads the car is awesome also. I can't say anything bad about this vehicle. I will run it until it falls apart around me and then I will absolutely buy another Hyundai and then again and again and again. It will take a lot for me not to buy Hyundais.

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