Hyundai Santa Fe 2006-2012 used car review

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a solidly built family SUV with excellent performance from its turbo-diesel engine.

Richard Edwards
Richard Edwards
Expert Reviewer | Auto Media Group
Exterior , 3.5 out of 5 Drive , 4 out of 5 Safety , 5 out of 5 Value , 4 out of 5 Interior , 4 out of 5

Overall score , 4.1 out of 5

The good
  • R-series diesel is powerful and responsive
  • Excellent build quality stands up to hard use
  • High level of standard safety features
The not-so-good
  • Brown interior is dark and drab
  • No luggage space at all when the third row is in use
  • All-wheel drive system can be slow to respond, creating wheel spin

Inside and out

On the road

Reliability

Safety

Cost of ownership

Buyers’ guide

Variants

Timeline

Details

Review vehicle

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe CRDi 7

Price

$13,600 to $44,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km

Engine

2.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel, 145kW/436Nm (claimed)

Transmission

Six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive

Safety rating

Five-star ANCAP

Servicing

15,000km or 12 months

Spare wheel

Full-size steel wheel

Fuel economy

7.4-litres per 100km (claimed)

Fuel type

Diesel

Length

4660mm

Width

1890mm

Height

1760mm

Towing capacity

700kg (unbraked), 2000kg (braked)

Turning circle

10.9m

Image gallery

Richard Edwards Richard Edwards
Expert Reviewer | Auto Media Group