Faults:
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.
General Comments:
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.
7th Feb 2012, 12:18
I also have a 2010, and I like the exterior and interior. But I'm not too satisfied with the running of it.
I've had to replace a lining with it in 2011, had a bad oil leak.
The molding by the door is about to fall off anytime.
I took a drive to Salamanca, Allegheny this past summer. It was a dangerous drive as I had my 5 year old niece with me. I would be driving on the freeway, and all of a sudden the truck would power down and I'd be going under 60 on a 110kph freeway! I'd have to pull over and restart the car and drive another 200 feet, and do it all over again.
I've had several sensor problems.
Window is slow going up.
I was also at school, and the Santa Fe would not start. I needed to call CAA to boost me, and the worker recommended me getting a new vehicle, because this was not the first time he's heard of these trucks being nothing but trouble.
I am currently looking for another vehicle.