Update
After a couple of years, I felt it was worth updating this review. While the SantaFe has certainly met our needs, I am severely disappointed with a couple of issues:

1) The vehicle doesn't hold its value well. I guess I should have known since a lease was not available. I thought about getting out of the vehicle after a certain amount of time, but the value dropped so fast that this is a pipe dream. If you purchase this vehicle, be ready to keep it for the long haul (unless you put down a large amount of money).

2) I have been EXTREMELY upset with the service department. When I go in for routine maintenance, they seem to find some other (expensive) item that needs repair. I'd like to see Hyundai change the components that are included/covered by segments of the routine maintenance intervals so that owners don't experience "unnecessary surprises".

Better choices in my opinion: Honda CR-V, Honda Element, and the upcoming Toyota Highlander Hybrid (2005).


MY STORY
The BEST SUV Value on the market? That's a steep claim, but I believe it whole-heartedly. Here's my story.

As my 1998 Toyota RAV4 lease approached its end, I began gathering data on comparable vehicles. I knew that I wanted another similarly-sized SUV. I considered the following vehicles:

-Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute
-Toyota RAV4
-Toyota Highlander
-Subaru Forester
-Buick Rendevous
-Hyundai SantaFe

Don't let its looks fool you. The Ford Escape was too small -- in the front and in the back. Coupled with its pricing, I ceased considering it right away.

The RAV4 has the best mileage, but its cargo area is too small. I wanted a larger vehicle this time, but not too large.

The Highlander, which was my first choice, just didn't fit into the budget. It's an awesome vehicle though. Its ride is extremely smooth and it is very comfortable.

The Forester seemed just a little too small. The dealership I went to didn't help matters either. The salesperson was very condescending and arrogant.

The Rendevous -- an extremely comfortable and attractive vehicle -- didn't fit into the budget either.

After 3-4 months of research, test drives and haggling, I was less than 1 month away from the end of my lease and didn't know what I was going to do.

I was sitting at a red light one day, contemplating my next move when I saw a rather "different" SUV. The size appeared perfect and it didn't look half bad. It was familiar, but not familiar (if you know what I mean). It was the Santa Fe. I couldn't believe I had forgotten about that vehicle and marked my calendar to go and take a look.

WHY I CHOSE THE SANTA FE

Here's what I liked about the Santa Fe:

Excellent Pricing
The pricing on the Santa Fe is practically mind-boggling. I paid $18,500 for a 4-cylinder vehicle laden with features (see below). The only vehicles that came close in price were the RAV4 and the Forester, but they paled in comparison as far as the features were concerned, making the Santa a much better overall value.

4-Speed Shiftronic™ Automatic Transmission
This is a nice "toy". It's nice to choose between driving in manual or automatic, especially when I need a little more get-up-and go (my Santa Fe is a 4-cylinder). This feature allows me to make that choice and its like driving a stick without having a clutch.

Feature Laden
For $18.5K this is what I got:
- 4 speaker AM/FM CD with tweeters (sounds awesome!)
- 3 sets of seatbelts in the rear
- front airbags
- rear privacy glass (tinted)
- power windows and locks
- keyless entry w/alarm
- cruise control
- center console
- overhead console with digital clock
- 16" alloy wheels
- 60/40 split folding reclining seats
- air conditioning
- power side mirrors w/defroster
- antenna in windshield
- roof rack
- over 70 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats down
- extremely good warranty that negated the need for an extended warranty

Many of these features were available on other vehicles, but at an additional cost.

My wife and I are extremely happy with this vehicle. We actually used it to move to our new home. The large cargo area in this vehicle saved us a ton of money. If we had, say, a RAV4, we would have spent another $100-$200 on rental vans/trucks.

REAR SEATS

Oh! I forgot to mention the back seats. There seems to be as much leg room in the back as there is in the front. There's lots of shoulder and hip room too. There's even an arm rest in the middle and cup holders that extend out of the center console.

What a functional vehicle! What comfort! What a surprise! I don't think we could have done better.

Amount Paid (US$): 18500
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: Santa Fe GL, 4 cylinder