Used 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe for sale 

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe comes in three trims - the base 7 seat SE, the more feature-rich 7 seats SE Ultimate and the even more feature-rich 6 seater Limited Ultimate with Captain chair. Hyundai has discontinued the Limited for 2018. There is only one powertrain option - a 3.3 L V6 mated to an 8-Speed Automatic. The AWD is available in all trims for almost $2000 above the respective price.

The Santa Fe SE Ultimate will provide more value for money for most of us as it gets niceties like leather seats, adaptive cruise control, multi-view camera system, and modern safety features like Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist as standard. Although the SE trim costs almost $8000 less, adding many of these features will bring the price of SE very close to the SE ultimate. Further, with SE Ultimate you will also have the freedom to opt for the items like Lane Departure Warning and HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Light.

The Hyundai Santa Fe’s engine (a 3.3 L V6) has enough punch to do the everyday task with power to spare. The suspension is compliant and the body movement is well controlled. The steering feels precise and predictable making for a well-centered drive at highway speeds. However, those looking for fun to drive characteristics in their midsize SUV have to go for Mazda CX-9.

The Hyundai Santa Fe comes with only a single engine and transmission configuration - a 290 hp 3.3 Liter V6 doing duty with a 6-Speed Automatic. The V6 and its partner, the 6-speed automatic combine to provide smooth and fuss-free acceleration.

All variants of the Santa Fe come with optional AWD - a thoughtful decision by Hyundai for people living in snow-affected areas. Even more impressive is the fact that the Santa Fe AWD has a lockable center coupling (rare in this segment) to get you out of an especially challenging low-traction tarmac.

Acceleration

The Santa Fe is the slowest accelerating option among midsize SUVs taking 7.3 seconds for a 0 to 60 mph run, though not bad for a 7 seat SUV. Its sluggish acceleration gives the competition a heads up.

The Explorer can do 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds followed closely by the Honda pilot at 6.0 seconds.

Even when the distance is stretched to the quarter-mile the Explorer comes out victorious. The Honda Pilot was just a tad behind, however, the Mazda CX-9 was the last one to finish the standing quarter-mile run.

Ride and Handling

The cushioned ride quality of Hyundai Santa Fe truly impresses a lot. The handling - not so much. Let us explain, this Hyundai SUV will cocoon you through bad roads. The Santa Fe suspension keeps the body motions in check and the ride feels planted. But the moment you try and throw it around the corners you’ll be showered with plenty of body-roll.

The Santa Fe steering is precise and predictable too - very safe. However, the steering feels numb and you simply cannot enjoy corners in this midsize Hyundai SUV. For those looking for fun to drive 7-seat SUV, Mazda CX-9 is a better pick.

How good are the brakes?

The smooth, unhurried theme continues in the braking department too. Don't panic, the Santa Fe brakes can stop this SUV within 178 feet from 70 mph (average in class) if intently kicked. We used the word unhurried because the initial pedal travel causes smooth slow down rather than jerky stop. The brakes are responsive once past this small buffer zone.

The best performer in the braking department among midsize SUVs is the Ford Explorer taking 174 feet for stopping from 70 mph (despite being the heaviest SUV here). The worst performer is the Mazda CX-9 taking 179 feet to come to a dead halt from 70 mph.

Hauling and Towing capacity

The Santa Fe can tow an impressive 5000 pounds. That's among the highest tow ratings among the competitors. If you can consider sharing the same rating with almost all other competitors as the highest.

Only the Mazda CX-9 tows less at 3,500 pounds. All said the 5000-pound tow capacity is more than sufficient for most of us.

The Santa Fe, apart from being the slowest, is also the thirstiest among its competitors. The SUV delivers 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 21 mpg. It is highly unlikely since the SUV is equipped with a motor bearing a modern design such as DOHC.

That's just 1 mpg less than the Ford Explorer 2.3 L Ecoboost I-4. However, the most efficient competitor is the Mazda CX-9 at 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 24 MPG. Do note that the SE Ultimate and Limited Ultimate delivers 1 mpg less at 17 in the city and 23 on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 20 mpg.

The driving position in Santa Fe is almost perfect and the ergonomics are worth mentioning. Outward visibility is average among the competition. The first and second-row seats are comfortable and offer good support. Those seats can also be draped in leather even in base SE trim with an optional "Premium Package" that will set you back by $3,650.

The Limited trim also comes with extremely comfortable and adjustable captain seats. However, you have to let go of the second-row center seat. The Hyundai also gets two-zone automatic climate control.

The headroom and legroom in the front and second row is average among the competition. However, the third row is compromised among the competition and is best reserved for kids.

Cargo Space

The cargo space in the Santa Fe is nothing to write much about. With all seats up, the Santa Fe has 14 cubic feet of space - significantly less than segment leader Ford Explorer at 21 cubic feet. With the third row folded, the Santa Fe is almost as spacious as others at 41 cubic feet.

If you are hauling very large objects, folding the second row liberates 80 cubic feet - average among the competition.

How about some entertainment on the go?

The 2018 Santa Fe comes with a center-mounted 7-inch touchscreen (higher trims gets an 8-inch display). The touch response is on-point and the Santa Fe has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. However, it only gets two USB ports. Hyundai Blue Link (available in higher trim) is complimentary for three years.

Apart from these, you get SiriusXM satellite radio, USB connectivity, Bluetooth phone, and streaming audio. For in-car music, Santa Fe has a standard 6 speakers audio system. For in-car mayhem, there is an optional 12 speaker Infinity audio system. However, the system misses out on Wi-Fi connectivity option.

It's really hard to infer by just looking at the Santa Fe that this car debuted way back in 2012. Elegant curves and well-defined lines give this 7-seat crossover a contemporary and confident stance. The long window line with blackened B and C Pillar give an impression of size.

Higher trims get sharp LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, LED fog lights, etc. to spice up the exterior. For a more outdoor look, accessories like Roof rack cross rails announce that you just came from the mount Olympus expedition.

The Santa Fe is tightly dimensioned compared to the rivals. It has one of the shortest heights among midsize SUVs at 66.5 inches. The same goes for the length, width and wheelbase. However, the ground clearance at 7.3 inches is on par with the Honda Pilot.

Exterior Features

• Roof rack side rails
• Heated side mirrors
• Side mirror turn-signal indicators
• Hands-free smart liftgate with auto open
• Proximity Key entry with push-button start
• LED fog lights

The Hyundai now offers an eye-opening 10 years of powertrain warranty on the Santa Fe. The warranty will probably outlast the car in the present days of heightened consumerism. You can get your Santa Fe with active safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert only in SE Ultimate and Limited Ultimate trims.

The Hyundai Santa Fe gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, a proof that it gets excellent passive safety features to keep you safe should the worst happen. This is possible because Hyundai offers a complete suite of airbags and its construction uses a large percentage of high tensile strength steel around the passenger cell along with a well-engineered crumple zone. The SUV also scored a perfect 5-star rating from the NHTSA as well further establishing the safety quotient of the Santa Fe.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is one of the most well-rounded midsize SUVs with well-equipped, spacious seats (even the third row) and high-quality materials. An efficient and powerful engine pulls the pilot briskly along the road. On top of that, the Pilot comes with Honda's reputation of reliability and has great resale value too. However, the Hyundai is more of a value for money proposition.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer has a range of engine options - from a small I4 EcoBoost to the most powerful in segment 3.5 EcoBoost. It gets handsome styling and a spacious, comfortable interior to go with it. The cabin is loaded with tech too. However, all these niceties come at a cost that's significantly above the Hyundai. Also, the Hyundai is very solidly built - not a thing we can say for the Explorer.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Mazda CX-9

The CX-9 continues the Mazda reputation of offering engaging and entertaining driving characteristics. The handsome exterior will blow you to pieces. The gorgeous interior will blow the pieces left of you into smaller pieces. However, it rides a bit on the harsher side and Mazda does not offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Santa Fe is a more practical choice.

The Hyundai Santa Fe has a spacious and comfortable first and second row, is loaded with features, has decent boot space with the third row folded, and can tow 5000 pounds. Availability of AWD on all the trim is a boon and the engine does their job smoothly. All these are wrapped in chick looking exterior. But again, the competitors are more spacious, faster, and more efficient too. The Santa Fe cabin has started to show its age and there are way too many buttons. Also, the third row is difficult to use for adults. If you can live with these, Hyundai is a safe bet for your money and the 10-year warranty is just extraordinary. However, if you think you need to look somewhere else, the Honda Pilot is one of the best sellers in the segment and makes a decent alternative. The Ford Explorer is more spacious and can be luxuriously appointed if you are willing to shell extra cash.