Faults:

There have been absolutely no mechanical problems with this car, so far.

I've found that the gas mileage in this vehicle varies widely depending on how you drive it. Mine varies from a low of 16.5 to a high of 22.5 MPG. If you go easy on the gas pedal your mileage will be OK.

General Comments:

The Santa Fe is extremely comfortable and rides very nicely for an SUV.

The 4WD (it's really AWD) handles well in heavy rain and on moderately snowy road surfaces.

The amenities you get in the Santa Fe are numerous and quite nice considering the price paid.

Faults:

The 4WD does not work in the Hyundai Santa Fe. Hyundai stated that the traction control is getting in the way with the 4WD. They will not help me because they cannot fix it.

My front wheels could be on ice and my back wheels could be on dry pavement and I am stuck! The right front wheel spins and the other three wheels do nothing. Unreal.

I cross country ski and kayak and have to rely on friends to get me there. Can't get rid of it because I would loose a ton of money. I feel like a victim of Hyundai.

If you need a reliable 4wd vehicle, you should not even consider a Hyundai.

Good luck.

Faults:

The day after I purchased this vehicle I noticed that there were a few things wrong with it. Even though I bought it used, there were things that needed to be fixed. Most were small things like a blown speaker, rear sliding cover was broken and wouldn't close, the spare tire was flat, the vanity mirror was shattered. some other things were major. Like the lights would dim and fail if you sat at a stop light for a minute. I found out what was wrong. If you test the battery on a 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe while you start the vehicle, it is suppose to push 12v, but it doesn't. The battery needs to be changed. You can do this when you purchase it. The vehicle will be covered for 60 days or 2,000 miles if there is no warranty on it. That is the dealerships policy almost everywhere.

Also, the biggest thing that is wrong with it is the front end makes a knocking sound when I go over bumps or turn my steering wheel back and forth (left and right) quickly. I had the dealership look at it and they replaced the entire front end suspension, which was very expensive, but was covered under their warranty. And now it still makes a knocking sound when I go over bumps. I called them back after I got my vehicle back and they are mind boggled about it. I purchased this vehicle almost a month ago and haven't driven it for more than 3 days. They don't know why it is still doing this. I think it is something very simple. Hopefully...

General Comments:

This vehicle is a great vehicle and awesome on gas mileage.

However, the knocking sound still continues.

If anyone has the same problem, please email me at gatewood1977@msn.com.

Thank you!

General Comments:

My 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS has been an OK performer I guess. The "get up and go" of it, however, leaves something to be desired. It just does NOT want to GET UP AND GO. It takes FOREVER to get to the proper acceleration to pass another vehicle safely.

Gas mileage is just so-so. I don't have any figures for you right now, but I did gage it once and remember thinking that it was just OK and nothing to brag about.

Other than the above, I will have to say that I am pleased with the car. WHen I got it, the ads called it "AN SUV with Muscle". They were referring to how it looked and they were right. It is not boxy looking, but has a really nice curvy shape. Lots of nooks and crannies to put things. Optional striping (get it, it makes the difference!) The combo CD and Cassette option comes standard in every car and since I am not with the times and still have many cassettes I loved that feature. SO many things come standard on this vehicle that will cost you more with another SUV you just wouldn't believe.

The difference between the GLS and the LX is very, very minor: The LX has leather, heated seats, chrome around the door handles and comfort controlled AC instead of just plain old, you have no control over it AC. It wasn't enough for me to opt for the more expensive model, that's for sure!

It is the best affordable priced SUV on the road today with a KILLER warranty.