[Marley&Me]

Thought we had made our decision but now have another car in the mix....

We've been offered a reasonable trade on a Hyundai Santa Fe 2012 Active (base model & petrol).

What do you love/dislike about your Santa Fe? How is fuel consumption if the base model/petrol? Would you recommend it to a friend? Did you compare it to a Captiva when buying?

Thanks in advance

[Bek+3]

We have a 2012 Santa Fe Diesel. I love it. There is nothing really that I don't like about it. Well, if I had to pick something it's the the middle second row seatbelt buckle is tricky for anyone sitting there because you have to reach right around, it's not to the side if that makes sense!!

We did look at the Captiva, for about 2 seconds. 2 separate mechanic friends who don't know each other said not to touch them. The reviews online were not great. The Santa Fe got I think 4.5 stars product reviews: http://www.productreview.com.au/p/hyundai-...06-present.html

Compared to 3 stars for the Captiva.
http://www.productreview.com.au/p/holden-c...06-present.html

[polka dotty]

We've had our Santa Fe for over 3 years, it's a 2009 Elite model.

As with PP we only briefly looked at the Captiva, but the back just looked too squashy for our needs (we have 3 kids, and had 2 in car seats when we bought it).

We also looked at the Territory but didn't like the back row split. Friends bought a Territory at the same time we were looking - they laughed at us for buying a Hyundai and predicted trouble. Funnily enough, their Territory was an absolute lemon and was back to the dealership several times in the first year, and they ended up selling it.

Our Santa Fe has been perfect, has run like a dream the whole time we've had it.

Fuel consumption - dunno, have to ask my DH that one, no idea!

What I love - drives really smoothly, surprisingly easy to park for its size, big boot. We often have the 3rd row split so we can access one back seat through the boot and still have the boot space on the side.

I found the foot brake strange at first but love it now - feels much safer having no hand brake for kids to play with (my kids climb around a bit in the car waiting at ballet practice, etc).

Will lose value pretty quickly though...

[Marley&Me]

We have a 2012 Santa Fe Diesel. I love it. There is nothing really that I don't like about it. Well, if I had to pick something it's the the middle second row seatbelt buckle is tricky for anyone sitting there because you have to reach right around, it's not to the side if that makes sense

Thanks so much for your reply! Glad you are happy with yours. Would love a diesel but we are looking at the demo model and the diesel is that little bit more that we can't afford at the moment

They are lovely looking cars too

Fuel consumption - dunno, have to ask my DH that one, no idea!

I found the foot brake strange at first but love it now - feels much safer having no hand brake for kids to play with (my kids climb around a bit in the car waiting at ballet practice, etc).

Will lose value pretty quickly though...

Thank you too for your reply! If you get the opportunity, I'd love to know roughly how much it costs to fill up from empty... Apparently fuel usage is meant to be pretty good

I was absolutely thrown by the parking break. It was such a weird concept and didn't feel right. Like you, obviously I'd get used to it but it's very strange lol!





Anyone else have any advice/thoughts?

[katniss]

I have a Santa Fe 2009. No problems with it. I was worried going from a sedan to 4wd but it's not too big & bulky to get around in. We've driven it on the beach.

I'm not sure of the exact fuel economy but i haven't noticed it too expensive to run. It's roughly $100 to fill depending how close to empty it is.

Yes, parking brake took a while to get used to! i love it now tho. If I ever drive DH's car, my foot looks for the park brake!

This post has been edited by katniss: 13/02/2013, 08:12 PM

[Marley&Me]

I have a Santa Fe 2009. No problems with it. I was worried going from a sedan to 4wd but it's not too big & bulky to get around in. We've driven it on the beach.

I'm not sure of the exact fuel economy but i haven't noticed it too expensive to run. It's roughly $100 to fill depending how close to empty it is.

Yes, parking brake took a while to get used to! i love it now tho. If I ever drive DH's car, my foot looks for the park brake!

Great to read, thank you for your reply

We are lookinost basic model Santa Fe and it's only 2WD so if you're using approx $100 to fill up, I imagine the model we are looking at would be considerably less!

I haven't had a 4WD drive since I was younger, I used to love driving on the beach....



Thanks again, anyone else, any bad points?

[ChunkyChook]

I would buy anything over a Captiva.

[Lishyfips]

We're looking at the Santa Fe too. It won Australia's Best Car 2012, SUV over $40k.
http://www.australiasbestcars.com.au/2012/suv_over.htm

If you need to fit various seats, the NRMA website reviews fitting child seats in various models. The Santa Fe got top marks across the board for fitting a baby capsule, maxi rider and booster.

[VermithraxPejora...]

Nothing to add except I love mine!!!

[PaigeP]

We have the new Santa Fe but diesel. The awards were for the diesel model and the latest one, not the old shape. The new petrol Santa Fe scored a lot lower.

We love the diesel but I wouldn't even consider the petrol. My tiny petrol Tucson (smaller engine though) averages 12.6L. DH gets the Santa Fe down to 6L. But if you can swing the 'All New' Santa Fe diesel I would highly recommend it. It's a fantastic car. We have several friends buying them now after seeing ours and they are all mechanics.