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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

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OEM Exterior
Front seat (full)
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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2016 SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $30,400
2016 SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $32,150
2016 Limited 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,500
2016 Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $36,250

Overview

With a standard V6 under the hood, able to seat up to seven occupants on three rows of seats, Hyundai’s Santa Fe appears to have a pedigree almost like a full-size crossover vehicle. Peek at the external dimensions more intently, however, and it’s actually sized closer to a compact. Add a hefty towing capacity, available all-wheel drive and nimble handling, similar to that of some smaller competitors, and Santa Fe becomes quite a compelling, viable alternative to an excessively-sized, more costly crossover or full-bore SUV.

What's New for 2016

Little has changed for the 2016 model year, but the former GLS trim level is now called SE. Interior choices have been simplified.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Choosing Your Hyundai Santa Fe

Each Santa Fe holds a 3.3-liter V6 that delivers 290 horsepower, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Available with front-drive or all-wheel drive for all-weather capability, a Santa Fe can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That’s well beyond the limit of a compact. A Santa Fe holds seven in three rows, or you can choose second-row captain’s chairs for six-passenger capacity.

Cargo capacity of up to 80 cubic feet slots right in the middle of the crossover category. Fuel economy with front-drive is estimated at 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway, dropping to 18/24 mpg with all-wheel drive. With the Ultimate package, economy dips to 17/23 mpg (17/22 with all-wheel drive). Distinctive features include a driver-selectable steering mode. Hyundai also offers a smaller Santa Fe Sport with two rows of seats and four-cylinder power.

Two trim levels are offered. All factory options come in Premium or Ultimate groupings.

Hyundai Santa Fe

SE

Generously equipped for an MSRP of $30,400, the SE trim level comes with heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, rearview camera, foglamps, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio, and Blue Link telematics. Also standard are front and rear air conditioning, wiper de-icers, six-speaker audio with satellite radio, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

A $3,750 Premium package adds such comfort/convenience extras as leather seating surfaces, power front passenger seat, hands-free power liftgate with auto open, keyless ignition with pushbutton start, dual-zone automatic climate control, electro-luminescent gauges, rear-window shades, lane-change assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Alloy wheels hold 19-inch tires.

Adding another $3,800, the Ultimate package expands features further yet with navigation, heated second-row seats, ventilated front seats with driver memory, a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, rear parking sensors, and premium Dimension sound system.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Limited

Contents of the Premium package are standard on the Limited trim level, which also gets second-row captain’s chairs for its $34,500 MSRP. For the Limited, the Ultimate package adds even more equipment, including xenon headlamps LED taillights, and a 12-speaker Infinity surround-sound system.

CarsDirect Tip

Well-equipped even in basic SE trim, the Santa Fe makes decision-making quite simple. High-content option packages let you raise the luxury quotient of either trim level without boosting the sticker price beyond reason. An SE with Premium package seems especially logical and budget-friendly. All-wheel drive costs $1,750 on any model, and it’s well worth the price, especially in snowbelt regions.

Get your price on a Hyundai Santa Fe »

Read our review on the Hyundai Santa Fe »

Hyundai Santa Fe
author image
Contributing Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

With seating for up to seven, lots of standard options, and a powerful V6 engine, the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe represents great value in a highly competitive family-oriented SUV segment.

Pricing and Equipment

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The front-wheel drive SE starts at $30,400.00, while the all-wheel drive SE is priced from $32,150. Rather than sell multiple trim levels, Hyundai keeps things simple and offers option packages. Package pricing includes a $3,750 Premium Package, which adds leather seats, active safety technologies, 19-inch wheels and much more. A $3,800 Ultimate Package brings even more luxury and convenience, including a panoramic sunroof, 8-inch touchscreen navigation and much more.

The front-wheel drive Limited starts at $34,500.00, while all-wheel drive Limited begins at $36,250. A $4,650 Ultimate Package includes a panoramic sunroof, a 550-watt Infinity audio system, and more.

Prices do not include an $820 destination charge.

Performance Pros

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe’s 3.3-liter V6 engine produces 290-horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration is excellent, especially considering the number of available seats and the nature of the family-friendly SUV.

  • Owners with trailers and small boats will love the fact that the Santa Fe can tow an impressive 5,000 pounds.
  • Fuel economy is excellent for a crossover of this size, power, and utility. Front-wheel drive models earn 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. All-wheel drive only exacts a one-mile-per-gallon toll at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
  • The Santa Fe is comfortable on the road. With a forgiving suspension and a nicely damped engine, the interior is quiet and enjoyable even on longer trips.
  • Around town, the Santa Fe is compliant and purposeful. With plenty of cargo space and enough seats for a large family or elaborate carpool situations, the Santa Fe proves its worth as an excellent family vehicle or minivan replacement.

Performance Cons

  • While the configurable steering options are quite nifty, the steering feel of the Santa Fe is rather numb. Enthusiasts will simply want a button that reads "more feedback."
  • The minimal gas mileage decrease with the all-wheel drive trim levels may be enough to scare some folks away. But on a snowy day, I doubt anyone will mind.

Interior Pros

Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe has a spacious, comfortable interior. With seating for six or seven, depending on trim level and options, the Santa Fe offers larger family-friendly features and utility that make the crossover a great alternative to purchasing a minivan.

  • Seats are comfortable and well-bolstered, especially in the six-passenger models with the heated second-row captain’s chairs.
  • The panoramic sunroof option provides a greenhouse effect that gives the Santa Fe with an open and airy feeling, a nice complement to the already generously sized interior.
  • Hyundai has a great reputation for providing excellent technology packages and easy-to-use entertainment options, and the Santa Fe is no exception.

Interior Cons

The third-row seating is reserved for children and small adults. While very few three-row SUVs offer ample room in the "cheap seats," the Santa Fe’s back row is notably cramped.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

While the driving dynamics of the SUV are typical of a larger SUV, the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe’s 3.3-liter V6 offers fantastic acceleration propelling the SUV from zero to sixty mph in a scant 7.1 seconds. That is quite an impressive number, especially considering the proportions of the Santa Fe.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

Accessing the third row of seats can be cumbersome and aggravating, especially for adults who aren't used to navigating playground jungle gyms.

The Bottom Line

For families desiring a good-looking vehicle that offers near-minivan utility and decent performance at an affordable price, the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is an attractive purchase. With a nice list of standard options and optional equipment that can have the Santa Fe looking and feeling like a luxury-liner, the Santa Fe provides excellent versatility and comfort for daily commuting and running errands, but lacks nothing that a family would want for a cross-country road trip.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.3L V-6 / 290 HP / 252 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd SHIFTRONIC w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
18 / 25 / 21 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.3L V-6 / 290 HP / 252 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
18 / 25 / 21 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.8 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$72
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
80.0 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
147 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
193.1 "
Exterior Width
74.2 "
Exterior Height
66.5 "
Front Headroom
39.6 "
Rear Headroom
39.4 "
Front Legroom
41.3 "
Rear Legroom
41.3 "
Front Shoulder Room
59.4 "
Rear Shoulder Room
58.6 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,933 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
18.5 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Silver Aluminum / 19.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated, Convex Spotter Driver / Power Remote Heated Driver
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7
Seat Trim
Yes Essentials Premium Cloth / Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way / (4-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
40-20-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers
6 / 10 Brand
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Express Open/close
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
4
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

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