Used 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe for sale 

In its new refreshed iteration, Hyundai has split the  Santa Fe crossover into 5 different trim levels. They go by SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and Ultimate where each trim consists of a standard front-wheel drive or the optional AWD choice for $1,700 more. Even in base trim, you'd find a host of convenient features and the list only gets more premium and in abundance as you climb the trim ladder. A standard 2.4L 4-cylinders (185 hp and 178 lb.-ft. torque) mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission is available across all trims however the Limited and the Unlimited configuration level are available with the more powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine (235 hp and 260 lb.-ft torque).

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The SEL Plus seems like the best configuration for it offers a premium set of features along with technology while being pocket-friendly. The Ultimate 2.0T is best suited for those who seek a power-packed crossover that is also loaded to the brim from a South Korean carmaker and wouldn't mind shelling out almost $40k for it.

The all-new Santa Fe is propelled by a "paltry-for-its-size" 2.4L inline-4 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This blend fuses to shoot 185 horses and 178 pound-feet of torque. Frankly, for the size of this SUV, you'd want to look at the higher trims with the 2.0 Turbocharged powertrain which has a remarkably better performance than its younger sister. That should explain what comes next now; while the acceleration on the Santa Fe isn't sluggish, its performance as a whole has a rather uninspiring feel to it. 

It is not something you'd expect from an SUV that struggles to move smoothly uphill under a full load. The new 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission is a big improvement over the previous six-speed unit. It is responsive and smooth and matches the demanding power of the engine.

Under the competition, you'd find a host of great SUVs with commendable performance; from the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, to the likes of the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Chevrolet Equinox amongst those that the Santa Fe rivals with.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Acceleration

The 2.4L motor of the SUV does not have the finesse on the performance bit, nor can it accelerate rapidly. It takes a lousy 9.1 seconds to hit 60mph from a standstill and goes on to complete the quarter-mile mark in 16.5 seconds. Within the city limits, the acceleration is decent but fails to pick up the pace quickly out on the highways, and under a full load, things just get slower.

The Volkswagen Tiguan takes the bottom position with its utterly disappointing 10-second window taken to complete the 0-60mph sprint. The Chevrolet Equinox is the quickest one to complete both the 0-60mph run and the quarter-mile sprint as well. The Honda CR-V is also quite quick at 7.7 seconds to complete the 0-60 sprint while the Mazda CX-5 takes the middle ground with its numbers on the list.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Ride and Handling

Buy the Santa Fe if you want to sit back and enjoy the ride, not enjoy what you drive. Finally impressing in its driving dynamics, the SUV tends to sort out comfort along with spirited ride quality. The heavy-duty suspension is a major improvement over last year, with better engineering and mechanics fitted to the suspension to absorb and ride to answer the critics of the previous model. 

If the engine is too stubborn to yield all that power, the chassis yields to the fun and nimble ride experience. Taut, smooth, and agile, the SUV has limited body roll and a responsive weighted-steering wheel, giving laudable maneuverability for this size. Handling around corners feels confident, and ride along bumps are well absorbed.

Get it on the off-road, or just about any climate condition, the SUV 'fails to fail'. The AWD system on the Santa Fe is smarter this year; it predicts considering all factors like the gears, the speed, and the like, to enhance traction on the tarmac you drive on.

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Braking

For the 12-inch brakes on the front and rear, clasping the 3700 pounds heavy SUV is quite a decent task. The brakes have a great feeling to them, neither too long nor too short. It doesn't disappoint in its performance either, with a smooth pedal feel and short travel. The SUV does an average job stopping to a standstill in 130 feet from 60 miles per hour.

The Volkswagen Tiguan has the biggest set of brakes at the front while the  Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5 have average-sized brakes at both front and rear.

While its average performance compensates with the ride quality, its frugality under the hood is lackluster and discouraging. The Sante Fe goes 22 miles per gallon while driving around the city and 29 miles per gallon when you hit the interstate. These figures place the Hyundai somewhere in the mix in the efficiency chain in this competition. However, its rivals are more fuel-efficient than the Japanese manufacturer.

The Chevrolet Equinox and the Honda CR-V are the most fuel-efficient duo on the list while the Volkswagen Tiguan shares its fuel economy figures with the Santa Fe.

The 2-row seating configuration in the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe means it can seat a maximum of 5 passengers with great comfort and space. Premium quality materials alongside soft-touch materials make the cabin quite comfortable and the front seats are also quite comfortable with adequate bolstering making long-distance drives pleasant. The dash feels great and high-quality in places but there are evident hard plastics used in certain places owing to cost-cutting.

The rear seats of the Santa Fe are also quite comfortable and spacious with adequate headroom and legroom on offer. Visibility is fine around and the is some serious noise insulation used to make the cabin quite silent and make the driving experience serene. 

Cargo Volume

At 36 cubic feet, the Santa Fe is accommodating in the trunk and fairly practical. Thanks to the smartly-designed cabin, the trunk feels less cramped and places the Hyundai amongst the best in the competition. 

The Volkswagen Tiguan has the smallest trunk space while the Honda CR-V has the biggest cargo space on offer. 

For 2019, Hyundai have completely redesigned the Hyundai Santa Fe. Driving over 17" wheels across all four sides, the SUV is sculpted aggressively more than before. Resting insignia upon the large chrome-accented front grille, the front fascia looks menacing with half-eyed front headlamps resembling a sleeping beast. The long wheelbase of the SUV allows it to stay more evident and present with its redesigned bulbous body.

Built at a height of 66", along its side runs a deep window line given birth from the headlamps all the way to the rear tail lamps. The roofline is square and carries all the way to the rear pillar where it protrudes a spoiler lip. Its fenders bulge giving a rather meaty look while the back feels broad. On the bottom right sits a rectangular exhaust pipe below a hard plastic design atop the rear bumper.

Exterior Features

Some features included on the exterior of the SUV are -

• Roof-mounted Center High-Mount Stop Light
• Automatic headlights
• Body Color exterior mirrors
• Chrome accent front grille
• Body Color door handles
• Front 2-speed/variable intermittent windshield wipers

Fitted with an abundance of safety features, the crossover SUV manages to also score the highest rating in the IIHS tests. It has been rated Superior in Front Test Crash Prevention, along with good in every test. The NHTSA also gave it a perfect 5-star rating as well. The list of safety features are -

• Adjustable front-seat shoulder belt anchors
• Front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters
• Rear child safety locks
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA)
• Vehicle stability management (VSM)
• Anti-theft system integrated with remote keyless entry and panic alarm
• Electronic shift lock system & ignition key interlock – electronic type

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a laudable performer while delivering great fuel efficiency. It also comes with a host of safety features next to an abundant list of features and technology. Practicality is at its highest here. On the other hand, the Hyundai Santa Fe closely matches the CR-V but still falls short of its driving dynamics. We'd pick the Honda for its reliability and performance.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Mazda CX-5

Similar in character, the Mazda CX-5 is the class leader but the Hyundai Santa Fe does come up with magic up its sleeve. Both these SUVs boast commendable interior equipment, a plethora of features, and safety tech and are similarly reasonably priced. However, the CX-5 is the segment leader for a reason; it has great driving dynamics with great sporty experience and performance. We'd pick the CX-5 albeit it loses a few spaces in the trunk while gaining a bit in its miles per gallon.

If only the Santa Fe had a powertrain to match some of its highs, it could have been a great crossover to recommend. You'd not find frugality in terms of fuel efficiency, but then it has its price to compensate for. Spacious and plush seating takes center stage especially with a comfortable ride and nimble handling along with premium quality materials inside the cabin. And did we say how feature-rich and safe the SUV is? So we come back to the initial statement; the Santa Fe is a good buy if you can overlook the machine under the hood for its other caliber, in other words, the adventurous won't particularly enjoy the Santa Fe; in that case, its pricey rivals are worth considering.