General Comments:
The first thing I want to say about Hyundai is the customer service at my dealership is amazing! In a time when the auto industry isn't doing so well, the guys at Hyundai are very on the ball and know how to make a sale.
Secondly, the financing was better than any of the other companies that I checked out. (I also considered Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV, Subaru Forrester, and Nissan Rogue), can't go wrong with 0.9.. well 0 would be better, but the other rates were out of this world.
The Santa Fe has a lot of options, power, and space for its price point. With the 3.3L engine, it's a very comfortable vehicle on the highway and handles poor conditions very well. I have equipped it with Kumho winter tires, and it can handle the New Brunswick winter driving conditions quite well.
The safety rating is a plus, my insurance rates went from $122/month to $81/month.
My only negative point is that the fuel consumption ratings given in the specs aren't accurate, the only time I get the rated hwy consumption is if I'm going 90 on a flat road, but the speed limit in NB and NS is 110 and the roads are NOT flat. I feel as though the fuel consumption should be more accurately measured, though it probably wouldn't have affected my buying decision.
10th Mar 2013, 22:01
I just picked up a used 09 Santa Fe, and the thing that hit me after having it for a few days was the quiet: it was so plush and silent that I had to get used to the lack of noise. My previous vehicle was a wonderful little Chevrolet Tracker, but though a great vehicle, it was noisy and rough riding. This thing is like some sort of luxury sled: it whispers down the interstate, ghosts over bumps, and is a real treat to drive. I'm really enjoying this very excellent machine!