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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

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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
2017 SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $30,800
2017 SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $32,550
2017 Limited 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,950
2017 Limited 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $36,700
2017 SE Ultimate 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $38,700
2017 Limited Ultimate 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $39,400
2017 SE Ultimate 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $40,450
2017 Limited Ultimate 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $41,150

Overview

Hyundai's midsize crossover, the Santa Fe serves up a tempting blend of looks, room, and power. It's what keeps buyers coming back despite an abundance of worthy competitors.

What's New for 2017

The Santa Fe receives a significant refresh that includes updated front and rear fascias, a selectable driving mode system and advanced accident-avoidance technology.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Choosing Your Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe seats seven across three rows, or six with the available second-row captain's chairs. With the second row in use, you get a generous 41 cubic feet of cargo space, although it shrinks to just 13.5 with seven heads aboard. Fold everything down, and you're looking at 80 cubic feet, just shy of some full-size crossovers.

The 3.3-liter produces a strong 290 horsepower. There is no engine upgrade because the Santa Fe doesn't need one. All models carry a six-speed automatic transmission and are eligible for all-wheel drive in place of the standard front-drive setup. The new driving mode system offers you a choice of Sport, Eco, and Normal.

The Santa Fe is available in two main trim levels, SE and Limited, both of which are available in Ultimate subtrim:

Hyundai Santa Fe

SE

Comes fully equipped with a rearview camera, a power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio and roof rails. All-wheel drive models also get windshield wiper de-icers. The available Premium package adds heated front seats with driver power, leather upholstery, a hands-free power tailgate, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, keyless ignition and a universal garage door opener.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Limited

Gets the contents of the SE's Premium package as standard, plus second-row captain's chairs.

Hyundai Santa Fe

SE Ultimate

Adds special features to the Premium-equipped SE, including a panoramic sunroof, navigation, surround-view cameras, a heated steering wheel, rear parking sensors, heated rear seats, an Infinity surround-sound system and ventilated front seats with driver memory. The Ultimate can get a safety-oriented Tech package with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, high intensity headlamps with automatic high beams, and front collision mitigation with automatic braking and pedestrian detection.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Limited Ultimate

Equipped like the SE Ultimate, but with captain's chairs in place of the middle bench. The Tech package remains optional.

CarsDirect Tip

The SE and Limited are eligible for all the same features. The only real difference between them is the SE can accommodate seven passengers, while the Limited seats six.

Get your price on a Hyundai Santa Fe »

Hyundai Santa Fe
author image
Automotive Editor
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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

Hyundai gave each of its larger crossover models—the three-row Santa Fe and two-row Santa Fe Sport—a freshening for 2017. Competing against such six- and seven-passenger models as the Dodge Durango and Honda Pilot, the Santa Fe is substantially larger than the Sport, and comes only with V6 power. A Limited Ultimate trim level is new for 2017.

Pricing and Equipment

Starting at $30,800 (plus destination charge), the Santa Fe contains a 3.3-liter V6 engine that develops 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque, driving a six-speed automatic transmission. A Santa Fe can have front-drive or, for an additional $1,750, all-wheel drive.

SE, Limited, SE Ultimate, and Limited Ultimate trim levels are offered. Standard Santa Fe equipment includes seven airbags, a rearview camera, a power driver’s seat, cloth upholstery, automatic climate control, Blue Link connectivity, satellite radio, and 18-inch alloy wheels. SE models have a bench seat in the second row for seven-passenger capacity, while Limited versions get captain’s chairs for six-passenger seating.

My 2017 Santa Fe Limited Ultimate AWD, with a starting MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) of $39,400, included:

  • Second-row captain’s chairs
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Surround-view cameras
  • Heated/ventilated front seats
  • Power passenger seat
  • Eight-inch touchscreen
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Hands-free power liftgate
  • Nineteen-inch wheels

Available safety features include forward-collision warning with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Performance Pros

Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Pleasant ride, at least on good pavement.
  • Supremely smooth response from automatic transmission. Only by paying close attention is it possible to hear—or feel—most shifts take place.
  • Plenty of energy to accelerate briskly when needed. At times when starting off, response is almost startling, which is hardly common in a larger SUV. Acceleration isn’t quite as stirring higher up the speed scale, but the smooth flow of power makes up for any modest shortage of pickup. A Santa Fe does feel as if it’s pulling a fair amount of weight when accelerating, but without breathing very hard.

Performance Cons

  • Undulating pavement could reveal a little softness in the ride, even feeling a trifle woozy for the duration.
  • Possible transmission confusion. Once during my week-long test drive, while turning a corner at low speed, the transmission felt as if it was shutting down briefly, unsure what to do next.

Interior Pros

Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Quiet refinement is Number One. In this area, the Santa Fe stands close to the pinnacle of sizable crossover SUVs.
  • Excellent information/navigation screen, mounted high and tilted back slightly, so the driver’s eye need not move far.
  • Santa Fe is one of the easiest utility vehicles to enter and exit. Front or rear, it’s almost like stepping down rather than up. Front seat bottoms are about as long as any you’re likely to find, providing good thigh support.
  • Gauges are beautifully bright and clear, with crisp white numerals and markings standing out against a black background.

Interior Cons

  • Third-row headrests block the rearward view. Fortunately, they can be removed, or the seat folded down, from the cargo area. Also, entering the third row presents a challenge, though the walkway between captain’s chairs (if installed) helps. Riding back there won’t please many passengers, either, unless they’re quite small in size.
  • Cargo space is minimal unless third-row seats are folded. Under-floor storage compartment is rather small, but handy.
  • Dashboard contains a lot of flat buttons; but thankfully, nearly all are as clearly and sensibly marked as any that I’ve seen lately. I also appreciated the real knobs used for radio volume and tuning.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

Most evident is the level of subtle yet substantial improvement, compared to the last Santa Fe that I’d driven. That SUV came across as nondescript, even stodgy, lacking in character and failing to stand out in any way from the competition. In contrast, I looked forward to each outing in the 2017 model

The Least Pleasant Surprise

Gas mileage is nothing to boast about, though not out of line for a relatively heavy vehicle. With front-drive, the EPA estimate is 18 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway (18/24 mpg with all-wheel drive). Ultimate models are slightly less thrifty: as low as 17/22 mpg.

But the most unpleasant surprise happened just once: the powered liftgate raised up and stayed open, without being asked. Evidently, I must have inadvertently pushed the button on the remote long enough to actuate the liftgate. That’s surprising, because normally it has to be held down for a second or more.

The Bottom Line

Hyundai’s vehicles have long been well known for delivering good value. More recently, their quality and refinement have risen steadily, catching up with the value proposition. That’s definitely true of the Santa Fe, as well as its smaller Sport counterpart. No one needs to feel apologetic in any way about purchasing a Hyundai crossover rather than a competitor.

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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
39.9 "
Rear Headroom
39.4 "
Front Legroom
41.3 "
Rear Legroom
40.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
59.4 "
Rear Shoulder Room
58.3 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,026 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
18.5 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated, Convex Spotter Driver / Power Remote Heated Driver
Bumpers
Front Body-colored With Metal-look Insert
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
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
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
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

Used 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale

3 vehicles found within 100 miles of your area
Hyundai
Sport
Color: Platinum Graphite
Price

$12,498

Mileage

122,930 mi

Map location icon

Hyundai Carson (13 mi)

Phone: (562) 676-4885
Hyundai
SE
Color: Blue
Price

$13,798

Mileage

89,496 mi

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Vision Hankook Motors, Inc. (26 mi)

Phone: (714) 534-5555
Hyundai
SE
Color: Silver
Price

$15,498

Mileage

83,477 mi

Map location icon

Buena Park Honda (24 mi)

Phone: (800) 906-6142

Other Hyundai Santa Fe Listings

We have expanded the search to include other Hyundai Santa Fe years that you might be interested in.

Hyundai
SE
Color: Hampton Gray
Price

$21,498

Mileage

34,841 mi

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Car Pros Honda El Monte (24 mi)

Phone: (626) 471-5479
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