Faults:

Sway bar links went at 25000 km.

Intermittent no start for the last few months.

Rubber door seals fell off at about 2000 km.

Back seat belt got jammed at about 10000 km.

General Comments:

I'm more annoyed with the dealership than with the vehicle; I understand that vehicles have problems, but they are reluctant to fix the problems immediately.

The car is comfortable for the most part; I'm 6' and I find the seat doesn't go back far enough for me to be most comfortable, so anyone taller maybe turned off by this.

Vehicle is quick and picks up fast for passing and up and down hills.

Tow capacity sounds good, but in reality it's not good at towing; a small utility trailer with a couple appliances on it felt like I was hauling a house.

Good gas mileage, about 28 mpg on pretty flat roads.

The radio and temp controls work well, and are easy to find when driving so that you're not distracted.

Very quiet cabin for the class of vehicle, very impressed with that.

When idling you can barely hear the vehicle running. Solid feeling car in all aspects, despite a minor trim issue, everything feels like it will last in the vehicle, unlike some other manufacturers.

Faults:

Nothing wrong in the short time I drove it, although once when I filled up the tank from a 3/4 tank, the gas gauge didn't go up, it just stayed at 3/4 tank. Not sure if this was a gas station thing, or a gauge problem, or what.

General Comments:

Pros:

The safety ratings and warranty are unbeatable.

Overall, the Santa Fe is an exceptional value.

The vehicle handles very well and drives nicely.

Plenty of power in the 3.3L V6 in the SE and Limited models.

Altogether very attractive.

Cons:

The GLS model seems pointless to me, with the underpowered engine that gets less fuel economy than the 3.3L found in the SE and Limited models.

Some things in the Limited model that should be standard (vertical seat adjustment, power passenger seat, auto up/down windows) simply aren't there, and aren't available.

The options and trims layout of the Santa Fe need some work. For example, if you want leather, you HAVE to get the Limited trim, which means you're forced to have the upgraded stereo, power moonroof, and many other options that you may not want to have. Now all of a sudden you're spending way more than you wanted.

Overall:

The Santa Fe is a great choice for many small families or someone who just needs to carry things and needs more space than a standard sedan. As an overall value, it's excellent, and should be considered for anyone looking for a vehicle in this segment.

Read a full review of the 2008 Santa Fe Limited AWD here: http://www.automoblog.net/2008/07/03/2008-hyundai-santa-fe-review/

Faults:

No problems.

General Comments:

We traded our 2003 Santa Fe for this vehicle this past weekend. All I can say is: WOW! The 2003 gave us absolutely no problems and the only times it was in the shop was for routine maintenance. The 2008 is far improved in terms of build and ride quality. The 605 watt Infinity system with Logic7 and XM is among the best I have heard in any vehicle. I am totally confident this particular car will give us many years of enjoyment.