Hyundai Santa Fe - any good?
Discussion
Hello. I am seriously thinking about spending about £13k on a circa 2011 Santa Fe 2.2 seven seater. On paper it seems to suit my needs of a very occasional seven seater for a school run, 10,000 mile a year general car, and every other Sunday tow vehcle for a pony in an Ivor Williams Hb505.
Does anyone have any experience of the vehicles? Top tips, things to watch for, known weaknesses, desirable options, rumours, lies or statistics? Or alternative suggestions?
This would be my first four by four and I'm out of my comfort zone. I did once think this pot of money might be spent on a prancing horse... But it would be on a badge, not in a paddock, though the costs seem similar!
Ta
Does anyone have any experience of the vehicles? Top tips, things to watch for, known weaknesses, desirable options, rumours, lies or statistics? Or alternative suggestions?
This would be my first four by four and I'm out of my comfort zone. I did once think this pot of money might be spent on a prancing horse... But it would be on a badge, not in a paddock, though the costs seem similar!
Ta
i think my brother has one of these, so be warned you might become a boring accountant with a knobhead personality 
actually one of these came off road with us in wales, he did about 30% of what we did, and that was more down to lack of ground clearance and t
tting 2 tyres on rocks.
they are quite good we were all impressed (land rovers, couples of toy-otters) where it got to.
if it took wales last summer it should be good as a run around.
actually one of these came off road with us in wales, he did about 30% of what we did, and that was more down to lack of ground clearance and t
tting 2 tyres on rocks.they are quite good we were all impressed (land rovers, couples of toy-otters) where it got to.
if it took wales last summer it should be good as a run around.
I've had a couple of these 2.2 diesel models both 2007 at around 90,000 miles.
They do tow really well ( 4 wheeler trailer with 900 kg racing car) and I was surprised how good they are on fuel even towing they are good in terms of economy.
That engine is a bit noisy and has some serious turbo lag but they seem quite robust and are very good value for 7 seater 4x4 in fact they are hard match price wise. Try to get the top spec model which includes leather and sat nav (and make sure it's got parking sensors as that was an option even on the top spec).
They do tow really well ( 4 wheeler trailer with 900 kg racing car) and I was surprised how good they are on fuel even towing they are good in terms of economy.
That engine is a bit noisy and has some serious turbo lag but they seem quite robust and are very good value for 7 seater 4x4 in fact they are hard match price wise. Try to get the top spec model which includes leather and sat nav (and make sure it's got parking sensors as that was an option even on the top spec).
My Dad has had his 2.2 2009 7-seater since 2010, he uses it as an everyday car and for towing a fairly large twin axle caravan a few times a year (and my Mum's MASSIVE suitcase!). It's been a really good car, I've driven it a fair few times on short and long journeys over the years and it's comfortable, has plenty of room, well specced and, with the self leveling suspension (only on the 7-seater in 2009), takes as much weight as you can fit inside.
He's never had any problems with it, the servicing is reasonable, it does well on fuel, is a nice place to sit (7 adults fit pretty easily) and I'd be quite happy to drive it anywhere. The engine of that year is, I think, from Mercedes, it's not a bad lump other than being a bit noisey but nothing untoward.
The only thing it's lacking is that the radio doesn't have RDS which is a tad weird for a top spec 2009 car, other than that, he's had no complaints over the last 30 odd thousand miles what so ever and nothing has fallen off it.
He's never had any problems with it, the servicing is reasonable, it does well on fuel, is a nice place to sit (7 adults fit pretty easily) and I'd be quite happy to drive it anywhere. The engine of that year is, I think, from Mercedes, it's not a bad lump other than being a bit noisey but nothing untoward.
The only thing it's lacking is that the radio doesn't have RDS which is a tad weird for a top spec 2009 car, other than that, he's had no complaints over the last 30 odd thousand miles what so ever and nothing has fallen off it.
Have a 2010 model with the 194 hp 2.2 diesel. Pulls really well and manages the 2.5 ton trailer with ease. With winter tyres and the centre diff in lock mode its great around the snowy lanes. No trouble with the trailer across fields either.
Its not an off roader but is well respected for towing.
Boot is huge and loads of room for the family. 5yr 100,000 mile warranty.
Will certainly have another.
Its not an off roader but is well respected for towing.
Boot is huge and loads of room for the family. 5yr 100,000 mile warranty.
Will certainly have another.
I'll be interested to know what deal you do as I am contemplating replacing my Sante Fe. Mine is the previous version on a 55 plate. Its now done just under 100,000 miles, and did 60,000 of those in the 1st 3 yrs I had it. I bought it mainly due to the need to tow, and the warranty. At the time the warranty was unlimited mileage for 5 years so I was working on the basis I would do 100k in 5 years!
Its been mainly trouble free, let me down once when the battery went, and also the engine would just cut out. Leave it a while and it would start outside warranty. Got it recovered to the garage who diagnosed an engine management sensor on the driveshaft. They replaced it took it for a test drive and it cut out on them just short of the garage. They then remebered they had had one do this before and the diagnositic software reported the wrong sensor as faulty! So they changed that one (only charging me for the one) and it fixed the issue.
Servicing has been reasonable tyre wear excellent although I am generally kind on tyres, and certainly want another one. However the new model is expensive new! Hence the second hand market instead, and with my reduced miles the warranty is not so important. So be interested to know what price you pay in due course.
Its been mainly trouble free, let me down once when the battery went, and also the engine would just cut out. Leave it a while and it would start outside warranty. Got it recovered to the garage who diagnosed an engine management sensor on the driveshaft. They replaced it took it for a test drive and it cut out on them just short of the garage. They then remebered they had had one do this before and the diagnositic software reported the wrong sensor as faulty! So they changed that one (only charging me for the one) and it fixed the issue.
Servicing has been reasonable tyre wear excellent although I am generally kind on tyres, and certainly want another one. However the new model is expensive new! Hence the second hand market instead, and with my reduced miles the warranty is not so important. So be interested to know what price you pay in due course.
Good mate has had two from new, many miles, no issues loves it and so does his Mrs. Can't say much more than that really. Or Sorento. Better still for proper towing work look at the prices for big Shogun....bargain really, the motors are now 200hp and nearly 40mpg. Old school but proper....however easy and light to drive.
Edited by Rum Runner on Tuesday 27th January 23:09
Looks like I'm buying an Ifor Williams horse trailer and a pony at the weekend so I may be in more of a hurry than I anticipated.
I don't want a big Shogun because although it's a lot of metal for the money the vehicle has to be a family car and commuting vehicle for 9000 of its 10,000 mile a year life. I suspect three years on when the children are no longer small I might be more inclined to a Discovery4 or LWB Shogun solution.
If I kept the Smax and spent four grand on an additional car then a Shogun would be near the top of the list. I'm not going that route though.
A colleague at work with a 57 plate Range Rover diesel just got landed a £3,100 gearbox replacement bill. That's the sort of thing I worry about when thinking about full fat off roaders and anything made in Birmingham.
I don't want a big Shogun because although it's a lot of metal for the money the vehicle has to be a family car and commuting vehicle for 9000 of its 10,000 mile a year life. I suspect three years on when the children are no longer small I might be more inclined to a Discovery4 or LWB Shogun solution.
If I kept the Smax and spent four grand on an additional car then a Shogun would be near the top of the list. I'm not going that route though.
A colleague at work with a 57 plate Range Rover diesel just got landed a £3,100 gearbox replacement bill. That's the sort of thing I worry about when thinking about full fat off roaders and anything made in Birmingham.
You will suprised at the Shogun...not that much bigger and easy to drive...plus with the new upgraded motor good juice. Personally I like that the engine is the right way round and that the model is now in its 15th year. After this model stops there will very few proper reliable ( Not a Landie ) 4x4 left. I would drive one before you buy.
Well I will admit I am being prejudiced against a LWB Shogun because I think it drives like a truck when perhaps it does not.
The 30mpg vs 40mpg issue can easily be resolved by reducing my budget for a Santa Fe from £14k and allowing the £415 fuel penalty to drop off the four year ownership cycle to £12k. What sort of Shogun does £12k buy you these days?
The 30mpg vs 40mpg issue can easily be resolved by reducing my budget for a Santa Fe from £14k and allowing the £415 fuel penalty to drop off the four year ownership cycle to £12k. What sort of Shogun does £12k buy you these days?
converted lurker said:
Well I will admit I am being prejudiced against a LWB Shogun because I think it drives like a truck when perhaps it does not.
The 30mpg vs 40mpg issue can easily be resolved by reducing my budget for a Santa Fe from £14k and allowing the £415 fuel penalty to drop off the four year ownership cycle to £12k. What sort of Shogun does £12k buy you these days?
I have had a LWB shogun diesel and a couple of Santa fe diesel.The 30mpg vs 40mpg issue can easily be resolved by reducing my budget for a Santa Fe from £14k and allowing the £415 fuel penalty to drop off the four year ownership cycle to £12k. What sort of Shogun does £12k buy you these days?
I can confirm the Shogun drives like a truck (its slow, noisy and feels like its built on a truck chassis/engine and it has extreme body roll on cornering) but OK its good in fields and is robust.
Santa Fe is much more like a car to drive, with decent tyres on it should have no problems with the horse box unless you plan on going way off the road into the rough stuff.
I got one for the wife 7 years ago and it has been very reliable. Auto is very heavy on fuel averaging 31 mpg before remap that improved that to 33 mpg. Ponderous auto box with glacial changes. We have the CDX leather 7 seater and it has done all that was asked. Will be changing her for the Premium SE next month.
Check for chipped windscreen and leaking seals. Full service history important of course. The 5 year warranty is great peace of mind.
Check for chipped windscreen and leaking seals. Full service history important of course. The 5 year warranty is great peace of mind.
rallycross said:
I have had a LWB shogun diesel and a couple of Santa fe diesel.
I can confirm the Shogun drives like a truck (its slow, noisy and feels like its built on a truck chassis/engine and it has extreme body roll on cornering) but OK its good in fields and is robust.
Santa Fe is much more like a car to drive, with decent tyres on it should have no problems with the horse box unless you plan on going way off the road into the rough stuff.
Have you driven the Shogun model after 2010... I am guessing not. I have driven the Santa Fe 2012 Model, Sorento and Vitara 2.4 , new Tuscon or X35 as known in some places, and Shogun old and new. All I am saying is that I think the OP will find it a lot better than his perception is probably telling him regarding the later model which also jumped about 40 HP more, plus around 5mpgs better off in around 2010.I can confirm the Shogun drives like a truck (its slow, noisy and feels like its built on a truck chassis/engine and it has extreme body roll on cornering) but OK its good in fields and is robust.
Santa Fe is much more like a car to drive, with decent tyres on it should have no problems with the horse box unless you plan on going way off the road into the rough stuff.
Edited by Rum Runner on Wednesday 28th January 20:24
Rum Runner said:
rallycross said:
I have had a LWB shogun diesel and a couple of Santa fe diesel.
I can confirm the Shogun drives like a truck (its slow, noisy and feels like its built on a truck chassis/engine and it has extreme body roll on cornering) but OK its good in fields and is robust.
Santa Fe is much more like a car to drive, with decent tyres on it should have no problems with the horse box unless you plan on going way off the road into the rough stuff.
Have you driven the Shogun model after 2010... I am guessing not. I have driven the Santa Fe 2012 Model, Sorento and Vitara 2.4 , new Tuscon or X35 as known in some places, and Shogun old and new. All I am saying is that I think the OP will find it a lot better than his perception is probably telling him regarding the later model which also jumped about 40 HP more, plus around 5mpgs better off in around 2010.I can confirm the Shogun drives like a truck (its slow, noisy and feels like its built on a truck chassis/engine and it has extreme body roll on cornering) but OK its good in fields and is robust.
Santa Fe is much more like a car to drive, with decent tyres on it should have no problems with the horse box unless you plan on going way off the road into the rough stuff.
Edited by Rum Runner on Wednesday 28th January 20:24
Just thought I'd resurrect this given we're starting to think about the next family barge when the XC70 D5 E3 gives up the ghost. We'd be looking to spend 6-7k and expect to run it for 4-5 years, with all the usual family duties involving dogs, kids, school runs, general abuse from Mrs BFB. (Diesel, auto, btw)
Any views?
Any views?
Edited by Bonefish Blues on Sunday 8th July 10:42
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