2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first, second and third generation Hyundai Santa Fe between 2000 and 2015 as a used buy.

Don Bate bought his 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SLX diesel manual in 2011 when it had done 25,000 km. It has now done 72,000 km, 30,000 of which have been towing his 1750 kg caravan. He says the Santa Fe is a superb towing vehicle. It gets 7.2 L/100 km around town and 10.5 L/100 km towing on the highway. The clutch had to

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 2000-2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Larger than average for its class, the Hyundai Santa Fe is a popular SUV that can be used as a family car provided the offshoots haven’t reached their hulking-teen stage.There's good legroom in the rear, but some of that legroom has been gained by stealing space from the front seat occupants. A third-row seat option arrived in the all-new model in 2006. As good luggage space, including side bins and hidden storage space under the floor panel. A retractable blind and luggage net combine to improve safety and security. The rear glass can be opened separately if you don’t want to lift the whole tailgate, a real convenience in cramped carparks.Off-road Santa Fe's better than average for its class and can cope with harsher conditions than those likely to be demanded by the typical owner. It really is a 4WD, not simply an SUV. But don’t mistake if for a full house off-roader or you may get yourself into stuck in awkward areas. The Santa Fe first reached Australia in 2000 and sales were moderately good from the start, though it its somewhat over-the-top styling didn’t appeal to everyone.An all-new, larger, model was launched in May 2006 with a more mainstream look that saw it pick up a lot of buyer interest. The 2006 model was offered with a third row of seats for the first time. As in any vehicle of this size, the extra row of seats steals a lot of the boot area. Ride comfort is generally good and handling is nicely sorted for Australian conditions.The Koreans really seem to have a feel for what Australian drivers like in their vehicles. In the bush the Santa Fe copes well with corrugations, in the suburbs speed-bumps seldom cause any real grief. Santa Fe originally arrived only with the power of Hyundai's 2.7-litre V6 engine, but the range was expanded in 2001 when a four-cylinder 2.4-litre unit arrived. The four-cylinder engine wasn’t all that popular and was taken off the Australian market towards the end of 2003. That’s no reflection on the four-cylinder engine itself and it should make a good used-car buy.Four-cylinder engines in a car of this size can be a bit of a compromise in performance and Hyundai was smart in only importing it with a five-speed manual version as an automatic could have taken away enough grunt to make it unacceptable for some drivers. All V6-powered Santa Fe models have a four-speed automatic transmission. The V6 auto has a sequential function to give the driver a fair degree of manual control and is useful for getting the best from the engine.From late 2006, Hyundai offered its Santa Fe with a turbo-diesel engine for the first time in Australia. The potential fuel savings make it worth hunting down. The Hyundai dealer network is large and generally widespread in Australia. Because most Santa Fe 4WDs are used in the metropolitan areas dealers aren't that common in the bush, so check in our local area to make sure spares and service are on offer close handy. Spare parts prices are about average for this class.Santa Fe is fairly traditional in its mechanical makeup and the good home mechanic will find themselves able to do much of the work. It always pays to have a good workshop manual at hand, and don’t attempt any safety related repairs unless you really know what you are doing.Insurance charges are moderate, though there does seem to be a bigger than average spread of premiums between companies. So it’s worth taking the time to shop around for the best deal for your circumstances.Hyundai Santa Fe works extremely well considering it’s the company’s first attempt at a vehicle in this class. It has since been joined by the slightly softer Tucson SUV and the tough Terracan off-roader, thus making Hyundai very much an integral part of the booming Australian 4WD/SUV scene.WHAT TO LOOK FORLook over the interior for signs of it having had a hard time at the hands of uncaring children. Build quality is generally good, but there can be the occasional rough one.Check for signs of underbody damage caused by harsh off-road use. The body corners and doors sills are often the first to suffer. Also look at the protection plates under the engine for damage.While you are under the vehicle look for white stains that may be the residue of salt water picked up during a trip to the beach. Salt water can create corrosion much faster than fresh.Look for fine scratches in the paint where the body has been squeezed past branches. Deeper scratches are likely to have been caused by trees or rocks.Check that the engine starts easily, that it pulls well and doesn’t hesitate when accelerated suddenly.Make sure the transmission operates smoothly and easily and that there are no funny noises from the driveshafts and universal joints.CAR BUYING TIPBeware the SUV that has been taken to off-road areas by people that don’t know a lot about driving on unsealed surfaces. It may have suffered body, underbody and even suspension damage. 

Aimed at rounding up Ford's Territory, Toyota's Kluger and Holden's Korean-sourced Captiva, the Santa Fe CRDi opens at $36,990 for the manual five-seater. But the most sought-after model will be the $43,490 SLX with a new five-speed automatic.The top-of-the-line Elite model costs $46,990, which is effectively a $4000 premium for the oil-burner over the continuing 2.7-litre V6 petrol the model launched with.To make that considerable engine premium less noticeable at the entry level, Hyundai has taken what many will see as a regressive step in stripping the SX of the company's safety package.The five-speed manual comes without ESP, traction control, side airbags or curtain bags — all standard on the base petrol model. Also missing, but of far less a concern, is the trip computer and foglights, along with a range of other convenience and comfort extras.While based purely on a marketing strategy, the decision diminishes Hyundai's growing corporate safety reputation at a time when there is a strong community argument that loss-of-control modification systems like ESP should be an industry standard.That aside, the CRDi has the potential to be a very positive story for Hyundai. Compared with its petrol sibling, the diesel offers significantly more torque and a claimed 30 per cent better fuel economy — every drop of which will be needed to justify the engine's premium pricing.Despite the pricing impost, Hyundai is confident the diesel can account for up to 60per cent of Santa Fe business and ramp up sales of the Santa Fe to around 300 a month."In reality very few buyers will take the manual car," Hyundai spokesman Richard Powers says. "The real volume will come from the mid-range model with the attraction of the seven seats and the five-speed automatic."Some of the diesel sales will come from buyers who were considering the petrol car but we are also expecting a strong conquest result from buyers who, until now, have not been able to find a diesel of this standard at this price in the segment."The 2.2-litre SOHC 16-valve four-cylinder intercooled turbo-diesel unit in the SantaFe is strong, usable and admirably elastic. Producing a reasonable 114kW of power at 4000rpm, the engine's strength is in its343Nm of torque, which is punching away from 1800rpm through to 2500rpm — with considerable amounts on tap for several hundred revs either side of that band.Hyundai claims the little diesel to be one of the most advanced on the market, with the increasingly popular variable-vane geometry air-to-air intercooled turbocharger, which both improves fuel efficiency and reduces lag.That efficiency equates to a claimed 8.2L/100km combined cycle in the seven-seat auto, although the hero sticker number will be 7.3L/100km from the lighter entry-level manual.The engine is also Euro IV emission compliant. While the five-speed auto makes its debut in the Santa Fe, replacing the ageing four-speed unit currently doing service in the V6, it will also appear in other models before the end of next year.The V6 Santa Fe will pick it up in the second half of next year while the upcoming Lambda will couple the gearbox with its 3.3-litre V6 at launch in February.Apart from the engine and the new automatic, the standard specification levels in the Santa Fe SLX and Elite are at the same high levels as the petrol models.The full active safety suite of ESP, traction control, ABS and EBD are complemented by twin front airbags, side airbags for the driver and front passenger and curtain airbags that run through to the third row of seats in the seven-seater.On the road the Santa Fe diesel is little different from its petrol sibling in its ride and handling characteristics. It is only when you ask the car for an effort that the difference becomes apparent.There is none of the doziness of the V6 nor the indecision of the gearbox. Punch the accelerator and the diesel is ready to go, strong off the line, even more in the mid-range where overtaking in the 80-100km/h band is a breeze.Off-road ability is assisted by a lockable centre-differential but limited by the absence of a low-range. The strength of the diesel has extended the boundaries considerably, with the CRDi capable of a reasonable confidence in situations the V6 would fear to tread.A run through soft and semi-packed sand showed that with only a moderate level of caution, the Santa Fe is quite capable of mild adventure experiences.On the highway the Santa Fe remains a very capable and balanced drive with minimum roll from the all-round coil suspension and well-sorted dampers. Steering is still on the light side but is not unduly disconnected and the car is quite capable of some enthusiastic performance.The interior is a mirror of the petrol model — spacious and comfortable with good levels of trim and fitment standards.The third row of seats offers a reasonable space for small adults on short journeys, or for children, and folds out of the way to offer a substantial storage area when the Santa Fe does duty as a five-seater.Fast factsPrice: SX $36,990 (5-seat, manual); SLX $43,490 (7-seat, automatic); Elite $46,990 (7-seat, automatic)Engine: 2.2-litre SOHC common rail diesel; 114kW@4000rpm, 343Nm@1800-2500rpmTransmission: 5-speed manual (SX only), 5-speed automatic with sequential mode; electronic on-demand AWD, selectable 50:50 centre differential lockWheels: 17-inch alloys, 235/65 R17 (SX, SLX); 18-inch alloys, 235/60 R18 (Elite); full-size spare on alloy rimSafety: ABS, EBD, twin airbags (SX); ESP, ABS, EBD, six-airbags (SLX, Elite)AlternativesHolden Captiva: from $35,990Toyota Kluger: from $41,990

The top-of-the-line Elite model costs $46,990, which is effectively a $4000 premium for the oil-burner over the continuing 2.7-litre V6 petrol the model launched with. To make that considerable engine premium less noticeable at the entry level, Hyundai has taken what many will see as a regressive step in stripping the SX of the company's safety package.The five-speed manual comes without ESP, traction control, side airbags or curtain bags -- all standard on the base petrol model. Also missing, but of far less a concern, is the trip computer and foglights, along with a range of other convenience and comfort extras.While based purely on a marketing strategy, the decision diminishes Hyundai's growing corporate safety reputation at a time when there is a strong community argument that loss-of-control modification systems like ESP should be an industry standard.That aside, the CRDi has the potential to be a very positive story for Hyundai. Compared with its petrol sibling, the diesel offers significantly more torque and a claimed 30 per cent better fuel economy -- every drop of which will be needed to justify the engine's premium pricing.Despite the pricing impost, Hyundai is confident the diesel can account for up to 60per cent of Santa Fe business and ramp up sales of the Santa Fe to around 300 a month."In reality very few buyers will take the manual car," Hyundai spokesman Richard Powers says. "The real volume will come from the mid-range model with the attraction of the seven seats and the five-speed automatic."Some of the diesel sales will come from buyers who were considering the petrol car but we are also expecting a strong conquest result from buyers who, until now, have not been able to find a diesel of this standard at this price in the segment."The 2.2-litre SOHC 16-valve four-cylinder intercooled turbo-diesel unit in the SantaFe is strong, usable and admirably elastic. Producing a reasonable 114kW of power at 4000rpm, the engine's strength is in its343Nm of torque, which is punching away from 1800rpm through to 2500rpm -- with considerable amounts on tap for several hundred revs either side of that band.Hyundai claims the little diesel to be one of the most advanced on the market, with the increasingly popular variable-vane geometry air-to-air intercooled turbocharger, which both improves fuel efficiency and reduces lag.That efficiency equates to a claimed 8.2L/100km combined cycle in the seven-seat auto, although the hero sticker number will be 7.3L/100km from the lighter entry-level manual. The engine is also Euro IV emission compliant. While the five-speed auto makes its debut in the Santa Fe, replacing the ageing four-speed unit currently doing service in the V6, it will also appear in other models before the end of next year. The V6 Santa Fe will pick it up in the second half of next year while the upcoming Lambda will couple the gearbox with its 3.3-litre V6 at launch in February.Apart from the engine and the new automatic, the standard specification levels in the Santa Fe SLX and Elite are at the same high levels as the petrol models.The full active safety suite of ESP,traction control, ABS and EBD are complemented by twin front airbags, side airbags for the driver and front passenger and curtain airbags that run through to the third row of seats in the seven-seater.On the road the Santa Fe diesel is little different from its petrol sibling in its ride and handling characteristics. It is only whenyou ask the car for an effort that the difference becomes apparent.There is none of the doziness of the V6 nor the indecision of the gearbox. Punch the accelerator and the diesel is ready to go, strong off the line, even more in the mid-range where overtaking in the 80-100km/h band is a breeze.Off-road ability is assisted by a lockable centre-differential but limited by the absence of a low-range. The strength of the diesel has extended the boundaries considerably, with the CRDi capable of a reasonable confidence in situations the V6 would fear to tread.A run through soft and semi-packed sand showed that with only a moderate level of caution, the Santa Fe is quite capable of mild adventure experiences.On the highway the Santa Fe remains a very capable and balanced drive with minimum roll from the all-round coil suspension and well-sorted dampers. Steering is still on the light side but is not unduly disconnected and the car is quite capable of some enthusiastic performance. The interior is a mirror of the petrol model -- spacious and comfortable with good levels of trim and fitment standards. The third row of seats offers a reasonable space for small adults on short journeys, or for children, and folds out of the way to offer a substantial storage area when the Santa Fe does duty as a five-seater.

Santa Fe CRDiPrice: SX $36,990 (5-seat, manual); SLX $43,490 (7-seat, automatic); Elite $46,990 (7-seat, automatic)Engine: 2.2-litre SOHC common rail diesel; 114kW@4000rpm, 343Nm@1800-2500rpmTransmission: 5-speed manual (SX only), 5-speed automatic with sequential mode; electronic on-demand AWD, selectable 50:50 centre differential lockWheels: 17-inch alloys, 235/65 R17 (SX, SLX); 18-inch alloys, 235/60 R18 (Elite); full-size spare on alloy rimSafety: ABS, EBD, twin airbags (SX); ESP, ABS, EBD, six-airbags (SLX, Elite)AlternativesHolden Captiva: from $35,990Toyota Kluger: from $41,990

It is new, well designed, well built and excellent value from $35,990.And it is more proof - after the impressive Elantra and classy Sonata - that Hyundai knows exactly what it needs to do to jump from the bargain basement into the real world of serious cars.Hyundai believes the Santa Fe is a genuine threat to some of the best cars, including the Ford Territory, and it has enough ammunition to make a case.Though the South Korean contender is missing the final refinement and Aussie-style grunt, this is the first time any Hyundai has been mentioned seriously in the same sentence as the Territory. And the same goes for the Toyota RAV4 and Kluger, the other benchmark cars for the Santa Fe.The newcomer is genuinely new, with a bigger and more rigid body around its 2.7-litre V6 engine and all-wheel-drive powertrain. It is a five-seater that can also be ordered with a third row of children chairs, and the model spread runs from the base model (pictured) up to a leather and luxury Elite model that is impressive value at $42,990.The most obvious shortcomings in the Santa Fe are a suspension system that still rides over the road and an outdated four-speed automatic gearbox.It also lacks punch, particularly with a load on board, though there are people who will prefer having lighter fuel consumption.The Santa Fe sits in the middle of Hyundai's AWD range, above the Tucson and below the LandCruiser-style Terracan.It is classified as a compact model by the scorekeepers from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, but based on cabin space and overall body size -- and its 1894kg and 2000kg towing capacity -- I believe it qualifies more in the medium class.So its rivals run from the RAV4 and Suzuki Grand Vitara up to the Kluger and Territory, though most people will probably also consider it against a Jeep Wrangler or a Subaru Outback or a Ford Escape.It has been designed as a comfort-first vehicle, with big seats, loads of standard luxury and the sort of safety features -- electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes and loads of airbags -- that make families feel secure.But it does not have a rear-view camera in the tail.Hyundai has got the basics right with the V6 engine, but also comes with a secondary rear-view mirror to keep an eye on the youngsters, extra airvents for the back seats and 33 storage compartments.As always, the deal at this price includes alloy wheels, electric windows and mirrors and air-conditioning.There is a lot to like about the Santa Fe. It is quiet, comfortable, easy to drive and has the feel-good factor that wins new owners.Even better, it is close to Japanese quality at a lower price and has real size, yet is still easy to handle and park.It's not a Territory, and I would not take it over a Kluger without a price adjustment, but it deserves to be on family shopping lists.The first impression is that the new Santa Fe is considerably heftier and yet more stylish, particularly in the cabin. And like the Elantra and Sonata, it does not have the smell of cheap South Korean plastics in the cabin.In fact, the final finish is good and everything fits well with no squeaks or rattles.Some of the plastics still look hard and brittle, but the overall effect is classy.It's mostly the same with the drive. The Santa Fe gets along well enough but it never feels like a powerhouse, even with 138kW from its V6.That could be the gearbox because it takes a while to stir the engine with only four gears and an automatic, even using the touch-change manual shift.The five-speed manual is probably better.The AWD system is unobtrusive and simple, with good grip for light gravel work, and the Santa Fe also stops well and is surprisingly easy to park.Hyundai says it did a lot of work to make the Santa Fe a nicer drive, and it is more responsive than the previous model, but it never feels as if it is engaging the road.It is too firm to really work the suspension and that means it moves around over small bumps, rolls too much in corners and can be a bit fiddly on secondary roads.It's not supposed to be a sports car, but it's no match for the Territory.Still the package and the price and all the nice extras that Hyundai has crammed into the Santa Fe deal are impressive.A great reason to put a South Korean machine on your shopping list, instead of looking at Hyundai as a dollar-driven brand with a good warranty.

That can't be said of the sleek- looking second generation.In addition to being a handsome vehicle the new Santa Fe also ups the ante across the board - build quality, ride and handling, practicality, noise and vibration suppression, safety and fuel economy.It's bigger too and is available with seven useable seats in three rows complete with three point seat belts. A five seater is in the mix too.Matching the more elegant exterior is a stylish interior with modern decor and user- friendly controls.Safety is also greatly enhanced with the inclusion of six air bags, Electronic Stability Program, ABS and active head restraints across the range.Santa Fe has a full size spare wheel.The vehicle might be larger but the turning circle is smaller facilitating parking.Two models are available, Santa Fe and Elite with a 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine initially followed soon by a 335Nm 2.2-litre turbo diesel four and a 3.3-litre V6. The petrol engines see duty in other Hyundai vehicles while the diesel is a new addition.The 2.7 is improved with variable valve timing and variable intake system uprating output to 138kW/248Nm.Hyundai also claims the revised engine delivers better fuel economy at 10.4-litres/ 100km.Two transmissions are offered: a five speed manual is standard on the base model with a four speed auto optional.The latter is possibly the only real disappointment with the new Santa Fe. It deserves a five speed auto at least.The all wheel drive system is on-demand with drive predominantly to the front wheels until reduced traction prompts the rear wheels to start driving. It's an electronically controlled system that also offers a switchable 4WD lock mode with 50/50 torque split.Santa Fe is a practical vehicle full of handy stuff such as the cool box between the front seats, 100kg roof racks, panoramic mirror for monitoring inside the cabin, vents for all seats and rake and reach steering adjustment.The air conditioning (standard) has a pollen filter and both models have power windows and mirrors along with 17in alloy wheels.The leather wheel features controls for audio and cruise. The entry level Santa Fe manual five seater is priced from $35,990.The first thing you notice is how well built it is and the attractive new styling.But Santa Fe is even better on the road (and off). There's plenty of performance and ride/ handling characteristics are impressive for a vehicle such as this.Though relatively compact, the seven seats fit easily and access is simple. The rear two rows fold forming a large load space.Plenty of onlookers wanted to know what it was and were surprised when told it was a Hyundai.