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Hyundai Santa Fe 2003
The 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe carries a braked towing capacity of up to 998 Kg, but check to ensure this applies to the configuration you're considering.
Hyundai Santa Fe News
Rough and tumble new family SUV incoming! 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe with petrol power here by Christmas and plug-in hybrid version in with a chance to do battle with Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe adventure-ready XRT packaging revealed! Hybrid family SUV gains better off-road capability to take on Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and more
Best SUVs arriving in 2024
Can Hyundai become the next Mazda? Why the brand is moving up in the world with its Ioniq 5 and Santa Fe | Opinion
'We see ourselves as a top three player': Hyundai banks on affordable hybrid models and additional EVs as part of its strategy to solidify its top-10 position
Hyundai adding cheaper family SUV: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe petrol locked in to join hybrid version as it hunts down the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento and GWM Tank 500
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe specification confirmed, but when does the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento family SUV rival land in Australia?
2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT and more off-road focussed versions of Palisade and Tucson confirmed for Australia to take on Toyota LandCruiser, Subaru Forester and more
Attention Toyota LandCruiser Prado: Hyundai readying for off-road battle with new XRT Pro registered for Australia
Hyundai Santa Fe 2003 Q&As
Check out real-world situations relating to the Hyundai Santa Fe here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.
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My 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe smells like petrol inside after a dealership service
The Santa Fe may well have a fuel filter below the rear seat, but it’s almost certainly located on the outside of the car (as in, under the floor) rather than inside under the seat cushion. I’d be very surprised if any of the car’s fuel system or lines ran inside the passenger compartment.
Which means it’s still possible that some fuel was spilled under the car during the filter change or that there’s even a fuel leak as a result of the change. Either could lead to a smell inside the car, but it shouldn’t persist. If it does, there’s a problem. Take it back to the dealership and ask for the problem to be fixed. If the dealership somehow spilled petrol on the seat trim or allowed fuel to enter the cabin in some other way, they are responsible for fixing it. Driving around in a car with petrol fumes inside is an obvious health and safety issue.
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What's a good hybrid car to buy?
The default purchase for somebody looking for a mid-sized hybrid SUV is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. But if that’s too big, there’s the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid, C-HR Hybrid and even the Corolla Cross Hybrid which sounds like the marketplace is getting crowded but is really just a reflection of the appetite right now for cars like these. And that’s the catch; the waiting times for a brand-new example of some of these cars is out to many months and even years. So your plan to shop second-hand makes plenty of sense, but don’t expect any bargains in a market currently being dominated by lots of demand and less supply.
Beyond the Toyota brand (which has been doing hybrids longer than just about anybody else) there’s also the Mazda CX-30, Subaru XV Hybrid, Haval Jolion Hybrid, Kia Niro, Subaru Forester Hybrid, Nissan Qashqai e-Power, MG HS, Honda HR-V e and more. For something a bit bigger, try the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe hybrids. There are others out there, too, that are probably bigger or more expensive than you need, but it's very much a growing scene in the Australian marketplace.
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I am looking for an auto transmission wagon or SUV, that tows at least 1500kg and does not have a CVT.
While the CVT is enjoying a bit of a purple patch right now with many car-makers using it for its efficiency benefits, you’re not the only one, Gregg, that doesn’t want to own such a thing. The CVT’s history is littered with failures, although to be perfectly fair, they are a lot better now than they’ve ever been.
But even if you can accept their reliability track record, some owners will just never take to the CVT’s characteristics of allowing the engine to rev up and have the rest of the vehicle catch up. It can feel very alien and it’s hardly a sporty sensation, either.
With all that in mind, you probably should start looking at things like the two-wheel-drive versions of something like, say, the Toyota Kluger or Hyundai Santa Fe. Both are available in two-wheel-drive, both have conventional 8-speed automatic transmissions and both can haul a decent load (2000kg and 2500kg respectively). The Toyota even offers a hybrid driveline, but, sadly for buyers like you, that uses a CVT transmission.
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My 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe has a transmission fault, what should I do?
I definitely agree that 60,000km is pathetically short for the lifespan of a modern transmission. And if, indeed, the transmission has failed or is showing dramatic wear in that distance, I’d be asking Hyundai to help out with the cost of repairs. Even though the vehicle is out of warranty (by only about a year it would seem) the low kilometres and full factory service history might give Hyundai cause to come to the party on a pro rata basis.
Meantime, don’t hit the panic button yet. The fault could be a much simpler one than you might be imagining and could be something quick and easy to fix. The problem could be as simple as low transmission-fluid level. If the quoted cost to examine the transmission is putting you off, try an independent transmission specialist who should be more than familiar with this unit.
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Hyundai Santa Fe 2003 Towing capacity
The Hyundai Santa Fe’s towing capacity ranges from 454kg to 998kg. Some models also offer heavy-duty or towing option packs which can increase towing capacity, as well as options which can hamper towing capacity. Towing capacities can vary wildly on a large number of factors. These include engine, transmission, model, and options chosen. Always check with the manufacturer or in your vehicles handbook before attempting to tow anything.
Hyundai Santa Fe Model | Body Type | Specs | Braked Capacity | |
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GL (4X4) | SUV | 2.4L,ULP,5 SP MAN | 454kg | |
GL (4X4) | SUV | 2.7L,ULP,4 SP AUTO | 998kg | |
GLS (4X4) | SUV | 2.7L,ULP,4 SP AUTO | 998kg |
Hyundai Santa Fe 2003 Price and Specs
Hyundai Santa Fe 2003 Dimensions
Dimensions for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe are dependent on which body type is chosen. The maximum width and height is 1845mm x 1730mm and can vary on the basis of model.
Hyundai Santa Fe Model | Body Type | Height x Width x Length | Ground Clearance | |
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GL (4X4) | SUV | 1730x1845x4500 mm | 207 mm | |
GLS (4X4) | SUV | 1730x1845x4500 mm | 207 mm |
Hyundai Santa Fe 2003 Wheel size
Wheel size for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe will vary depending on model chosen, although keep in mind that many manufacturers offer alternate wheel sizes as options on many models.The wheel size available will alter the range of tyres available to be fitted. Standard wheel sizes on the Hyundai Santa Fe spans from 16x6.5 inches.
Hyundai Santa Fe Model | Body Type | Front Tyre Size | Front Rim | Rear Tyre Size | Rear Rim | |
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GL (4X4) | SUV | 225x70 R16 | 16x6.5 inches | 225x70 R16 | 16x6.5 inches | |
GLS (4X4) | SUV | 225x70 R16 | 16x6.5 inches | 225x70 R16 | 16x6.5 inches |
Hyundai Santa Fe 2003 Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption for the 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe is dependent on the type of engine, transmission, or model chosen. The Hyundai Santa Fe currently offers fuel consumption from 9.1 to 9.3L/100km. The Hyundai Santa Fe is available with the following fuel type: ULP.
Hyundai Santa Fe Model | Body Type | Specs | Fuel Consumption | |
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GL (4X4) | SUV | 2.4L,ULP,5 SP MAN | 9.1L/100km | |
GL (4X4) | SUV | 2.4L,ULP,5 SP MAN | 9.1L/100km | |
GL (4X4) | SUV | 2.7L,ULP,4 SP AUTO | 9.3L/100km | |
GLS (4X4) | SUV | 2.7L,ULP,4 SP AUTO | 9.3L/100km | |
GLS (4X4) | SUV | 2.7L,ULP,4 SP AUTO | 9.3L/100km |