Awful
Transmission.
Engine sensor.
Starter.
Undetermined problem that was miraculously fixed after 2 days at the dealer.
Upholstery.
Liked the styling and the price.
Lots of features.
Previously owned a Hyundai, and had excellent service and experience.
The warranty is a real joke. Not as advertised.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 8th January, 2013
Like it, and barring any further tranny thumps, may just buy another
Recall to add a suspension strut was covered by a ten minute fix.
3 trips into the dealership for a reset of the 6 speed automatic transmission "program", due to unexpected and loud thumps from the trans.
This occurred when the trans was not under load, while idling along in traffic with my foot off the gas, and the trans would suddenly clunk once enough to cause alarm. This is apparently a common occurrence. Last reset was about 500 kms ago, and no clunks since. Maybe someone with a tech background can explain what is going on? I can't even speculate.
Mileage is reasonable in comparison to the manufacturer's figures, but I wouldn't call it exemplary.
Nice, comfortable car. Has all the mod cons, save backup cam and sat nav.
Looked at another Honda Accord, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, but for what the Santa Fe cost loaded, the others were stripped down cloth seat base models with few options.
The car is great on the highway and in town. It passes swiftly, and is brilliant on Canadian winter roads with AWD, and kitted out with Bridgestone snow tires and winter rims. Like a tank in ice and snow, but rides and handles well.
I am 6'6" 2M tall and a big man, and it is very comfortable on long trips. Good seat adjustments, without making the back seat passengers feel like they are in economy.
I would rather drive a reliable car that handles well, and pay less, than pay an extra $20K for a trendmobile to impress whom? I have better things to spend my money on.
The auto writers seem to still have a woody for Hyundai, and it shows, but these are well built reliable cars with long warranties. Styling may be a bit of borrow from here and there, but every manufacturer does that now to the point of style homogeneity!
Visibility is excellent for parking lots, and city and highway driving.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 22nd July, 2012