Hyundai cannot rest on a stellar legacy, which is why today's Santa Fe is unrecognizable from the original 2001 model. In five generations, the Santa Fe has grown in size and status, as it competes against three dozen compact and midsize two-row and three-row SUVs—four of which are in Hyundai's lineup, including the Tucson and the Palisade.
The latest Santa Fe cribs styling cues from the Land Rover Defender, sometimes for worse, but even the missteps show an automaker willing to quickly pivot and offer a unique vehicle in a segment that hardly innovates.
With three rows of seats—a unique feature as it is among the smallest midsize SUVs on sale—the Santa Fe presents itself as a do-all adventure-seeker, with trims that include a fuel-saving hybrid and the rugged XRT. In reality, the Santa Fe's powertrain, chassis, and performance speak to the modest requirements of a modern family. To that end, the Santa Fe is full of useful convenience features, ample space, advanced but not overwhelming technology, and holds up well in crash testing.
Hyundai Santa Fe Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pros and Cons
- Hyundai Santa Fe Generations
- Hyundai Santa Fe Fifth Generation (2024-Present)
- Hyundai Santa Fe Fourth Generation (2019-2023)
- Hyundai Santa Fe Third Generation (2013-2018)
- Hyundai Santa Fe Second Generation (2007-2012)
- Hyundai Santa Fe First Generation (2001-2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years are the best?
The new Santa Fe is the best of the lot, which is usually the case with any Hyundai. The automaker builds so many improvements into each generation, and often between generations, that you’re best served buying the newest model you can afford. The latest generation is still too new for full reliability ratings.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years are the worst?
Avoid the first generation. This was not a good time for Hyundai build quality. Any surviving examples are likely worn out, if they were not crushed years ago. The third-generation Santa Fe Sport, which at the time was a shorter version of the Santa Fe, experienced widespread failures on its 2.4-litre engine. Hyundai settled for damages on 2013-2019 models. Keep an out for that at the dealership or on a test drive.
Is a used Hyundai Santa Fe a good deal?
Yes, if you buy the fourth generation from model years 2019-2023. These vehicles have Hyundai's modern design language and interior appointments, plus the safety features, build quality, and technology applicable to most of Hyundai's current lineup.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish interior
- Multiple powertrain options
- Impressive technology
Cons:
- Cramped third row
- Odd rear styling
- Expensive in top trims
Hyundai Santa Fe Generations
Hyundai Santa Fe Fifth Generation (2024-Present)
From the square greenhouse to the chunky steering wheel and upright dash, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe copied Land Rover hard. The new car works really well from some angles, such as the H-pattern lights on the front and a boxy profile with chunky fenders. A push-in flap on the C-Pillar does nothing but evoke the Defender’s accessory box and ladder system (it’s there, Hyundai says, as a grab handle so you can step on the rear tire to access the roof). The rear creates the impression of an Amish stagecoach or a pumpkin. The sides flare out, then droops to low-mounted taillights resembling an El Camino.
Hyundai does some weird things when it designs cars, but at least we know its worst efforts don't typically last for more than a few years. Change is constant, and the next Santa Fe won’t look anything like this one.
The interior is far more pleasant in mimicking the Land Rover aesthetic with clean lines, analog controls, and a curved display that spans the flat dash. The plastics scratch easily, the wood is fake, and the leather is cheap, but the appeal is real. Second-row captain's chairs are comfortable, and the entire cabin, save for the cramped third row, is airy. Cargo space, at up to 2,267 litres, is generous, while towing capacity is between 900 and 2,040 kilograms (2,000 and 4,500 pounds) depending on the trim.
A turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine provides generous acceleration with 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Multiple drive modes help to extract the most out of the engine and eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on all trims. A turbo hybrid improves Natural Resources Canada-estimated fuel economy to 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, compared with 10.6 to 10.8 L/100 km combined on gas-only versions.
In our test of a new Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate Calligraphy in 2024, we found it rode comfortably and handled much better than the previous generation, especially on 21-inch wheels and tires. Shift quality was also impressive. Features such as 3D-rendered 360-degree cameras, a UV-disinfecting phone holder, and a digital key were all notable upgrades, and the infotainment system was easy to use. A highway driving assist feature was useful but not hands-free.
In Canada, four trims are available, with base MSRPs starting from $45,339 including fees and rising to $57,639. The Preferred is hybrid by default and is the only trim available with the hybrid powertrain. It has standard features such as third-row seating, LED headlights, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a proximity key. A Trend package adds more tech features.
The Santa Fe XRT adds a digital key, a wireless phone charger, and leatherette upholstery, as well as trim-specific dark 18-inch wheels and trim, all-terrain tires, and a 3.3-centimetre suspension lift. The Luxury trim has live blind spot cameras, 20-inch wheels, and other interior upgrades. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim adds Nappa leather, second-row captain's chairs, a second wireless charger, 21-inch wheels, remote parking (allowing the car to drive itself forward or backward while standing outside), and more.
There were few examples on the used market at the time of writing, and available models were not far short of their new price.
Hyundai Santa Fe Fourth Generation (2019-2023)
The fourth-gen Santa Fe was the first to debut Hyundai's bold design language that did away with the generic, forgettable look of the first three. This version took the trend of thin LED running lamps set above the actual headlights and created a recognizable face and a pleasant silhouette. The crisp lines, chrome trim, and the creases on the body panels were immediately of a higher quality than past generations.
The interior was another major step forward, with improved soft-touch rubbers across the dash, more supportive seats, and a small but usable seven- or eight-inch touchscreen. It was practical with deep map pockets, heated seat controls on the doors, and support for wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. New safety features in this generation included a safe exit assist system, which keeps the doors locked if the blind-spot monitoring system detects an oncoming car that could lead to an accident if the door were opened.
This Santa Fe reverted to two rows of seats and eliminated the Santa Fe Sport model. For a short time in 2019, Hyundai sold the previous-generation Santa Fe as the Santa Fe XL, denoting a third row of seats. It was eventually replaced by the Palisade.
Four powertrains were offered. Most came with a 2.4-litre inline-four with 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque (191 hp for 2021 and beyond). Upper trims in 2019 and 2020 had a turbo 2.0-litre inline-four with 235 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Upgrades for 2021 increased engine output on all trims, especially the turbo (281 hp, 311 lb-ft), plus a hybrid was added with a 1.6-litre turbo inline-four that continued in the present Santa Fe Hybrid. A refreshed exterior included new lights, grille, wheels, and taillights, and a larger touchscreen was also offered. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim level debuted as the most luxurious and expensive in the lineup. In our multiple tests across this generation, we came away impressed with its value and execution but not necessarily won over by its driving performance.
Late examples with lower odometer readings were priced between $23,000 and $35,000 at the time of writing. Older models with more kilometers ran from around $15,000 to $25,000.
Hyundai Santa Fe Third Generation (2013-2018)
Hyundai replaced the Veracruz with the Santa Fe, which was introduced for 2013 alongside the smaller two-row Santa Fe Sport. The Sport came with a 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine (190 hp, 181 lb-ft) and a turbo 2.0-litre inline-four (264 hp, 269 lb-ft), both of which carried over into the fourth-generation Santa Fe. The bigger Santa Fe had a 3.3-litre V6 (290 hp, 252 lb-ft). All came with a six-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive.
Santa Fe Sport models came standard with cloth seats, power windows/mirrors/locks, a six-speaker stereo, and an iPod or USB jack. Three-row Santa Fe models had more options, including heated second-row seats, leather, a backup camera, and dual-zone climate control. Rear seat legroom was a big selling point.
This generation of Hyundai Santa Fe is already getting quite scarce in Canada and, at the time of writing, less than 50 examples were available used nationwide on CarGurus.ca. Expect to pay between $10,000 and $20,000 for one in good condition, depending on its age and odometer reading.
Hyundai Santa Fe Second Generation (2007-2012)
The second-generation Santa Fe was Hyundai's first breakthrough into the modern era, though even later models are now dated in terms styling, handling, performance, and safety. Three trims debuted in 2007 in Canada (GL, GLS, and Limited), all with V6 engines and either a five-speed manual (on the smaller V6) or a four-speed automatic transmission. The base engine was a 2.7-litre unit (185 hp, 183 lb-ft), while the upgrade engine was a 3.3-litre powerplant (242 hp). A sizeable cargo hold (up to 2,214 litres), lots of legroom, and options for a six-disc CD changer, rear seat DVD entertainment, and a heated windshield section for the wipers were all available. It also managed an IIHS Top Safety Pick award.
For 2008, the Santa Fe added an optional third row, seven-disc CD changer, and navigation system, while the quality of the cloth upholstery was upgraded for lower trims. For 2009, Hyundai added USB and iPod ports, roof cross rails, and a trailer hitch for towing up to 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds).
Hyundai replaced the smaller V6 for 2010, opting for a 2.4-litre inline-four (175 hp). It also improved the larger V6 by increasing displacement to 3.5 litres (276hp), while a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic replaced the older transmissions. A redesigned grille, taillights, Bluetooth, and steering wheel audio controls were also added. This generation had sloppy steering and handling, but was generally safe and well-equipped.
There were still a fair number of these Santa Fes advertised on CarGurus.ca as of this writing, most with odometer readings pushing or exceeding 200,000 kilometres. Expect to pay between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on condition and features.
Hyundai Santa Fe First Generation (2001-2006)
Hyundai had only five cars in its lineup in 2000, and the Santa Fe was its first SUV. In this initial generation, the Santa Fe was a compact SUV designed to compete with the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 that had sold well for several years. Comfort, style, and space were carefully executed. So was the suspension, with a double-wishbone rear setup that provided a car-like ride and was far from the norm at the time.
Alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows, CD player, and a folding rear seat were standard. Engines were a 2.4-litre four-cylinder (150 hp, 156 lb-ft) or a 2.7-litre V6 (180 hp, 177 lb-ft) with either front- or all-wheel drive. For 2002, Hyundai made disc brakes standard for all four wheels and offered a power sunroof. The company overstated engine output in its first year, however, as the actual ratings were 138 hp and 173 hp, respectively.
Hyundai replaced the 2.7-litre V6 with a 3.5-litre V6 for 2003, made front side airbags standard, and added options including a Monsoon stereo, a six-disc CD changer, and garage door opener. The smaller V6 came back for 2005 as the base engine. Critical safety features, such as anti-lock brakes and traction control, became standard in 2005, along with an upgraded interior and a refreshed exterior.
It's difficult to find an original Santa Fe these days, but if you do, you should be able to secure it for $5,000 or less.
