I needed a car for two weeks and particularly wanted one that sits up high enough to see the road.   The rental agent suggested a Hyundai Santa Fe.   I felt comfortable in it right away.  The seats adjust well enough for a short person to reach the pedals and still see over the dashboard.  The control panel is well laid out and easy to read.  The major controls, turn signals, wipers, lights are all on steering wheel and easy to find.  The gear shift is on the floor and is also easy to reach.  

In addition to comfort, the Santa Fe ranked very high in safety ratings two years in a row by both the federal government and the insurance institute.  That is reassuring whether you are buying or renting.  Hyundai offers a 5 year or 60,000 mileage warranty and has gone an extra couple of miles by offering an assurance program that allows you to return the car if you lose your job.  That alone makes me appreciate a company that I had my doubts about.

The big problem many reviewers have complained about is the anonymity of the car.  It does, indeed,  look like all the rest - relatively bland inside and out.  If you are looking for a status car, or something fancy, this is definitely not it.  While some have also complained about the power, I found it to be fairly peppy, especially since it was both quiet and smooth.  The rental had out-of-state plates and I found myself having to throttle it in a few times to avoid attracting attention from the local police. 

The Hyundai Santa Fe comes in three models with a choice of either a 2.7-liter or 3.3-liter V6 engine.  Priced between $20,000 and $30,000, it is a good mid-range car for the small family.  The seating in the back is enough to keep two kids reasonably comfortable or three just moderately crowded.  The seats also fold down to allow enough space to haul a good sized load.  The new vacuum and a bike tire fit in there with the car seat and there was room to spare. The rest of the storage is lacking.  There is no place to put a pocketbook, the console storage barely holds a book or a GPS and the glove box is just adequate.  

Overall this is a nice little car for the money.  It compares favorably with the Honda CRV or the  Toyota RAV4.  The mileage has been good, althogh a bit under what they claim, and I have had no problems with any of the normal features, heat, A/C, lights wipers, etc.  Everything has worked well and I am pleased with the vehicle.
Amount Paid (US$): 850.
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2008