7500 miles on my 4 cyl GL, and it's running fine. I'm averaging @20 MPG, but it's hard to tell for sure, because every station fills the tank differently... not too happy with the way the tank fills up, but that's my only complaint!!
The only 'problem(s)' I've had in 8,000 miles is the ridiculous 1.5-2.0 gallon short fill-ups. The only way I've found to get a good MPG reading is to keep pumping until the gas comes out the top of the filler pipe...not the best solution obviously! Maybe if you are in a part of the country that has slower pumps it might be ok but here in Calif. you can forget it. If your gauge doesn't read above full after you get gas then it's not really full.
I filed a complaint (via their web site) with the NHTSA and suggest you might want to do the same in order to get Hyundai to fix the problem. If enough of us complain - and it seems like everyone has the same problem, maybe they will fix it.
By the way, with legitimate fill-ups, my FWD LX gets about 19 in town and recently got 28-29 at 75 mph and a/c on during a trip to Vegas. Clearly, the thing is pretty economical once you get it moving!
Hyundai did so much right with this vehicle it's ironic that a 'given' like getting gas is a problem!
hunter36: I think a lot of car makers are now purposely making their vehicles so it is difficult to top off the fuel tank. Some have venting, etc up high, and don't want fuel to reach it. Plus, the less the fill pipe is full, the less vapors are released into the air at the pump (air quality), also the less fuel evaporates on a hot day (I'm told).
Best way to compensate for the effect of this when computing mileage is to also do the computation over a number of tankfuls. This minimizes the effect of inconsistent levels of "full". This is especially important here in NJ, where we cannot pump our own gas (same as Ore), and have no control over how much goes in for a fill-up; the pump clicks, and the attendant usually just pumps in enough more to round it to the next quarter's worth.
I live in Florida and we pump our own gas. I have found that when you reach about 12 gallons in the tank, then cut the gas flow rate to approximately 1/2 the full flow rate, the tank then will fill completely.
Thanks for your input. However, if Hyundai intentionally designed the SF this way to avoid people topping-off, I'd say they are guilty of over-kill by at least a gallon! With the way gas caps seal these days - and I'm sure we've all heard the rush of air when we release the cap (esp. on a hot day), I'm not sure just how the filler pipe can 'vent' and the cap still have that kind of pressure...but I'm no engineer so who knows?
Of course, to get an overall average MPG, the method you suggest would work fine and any tank-to-tank variation would be nullified by the subsequent tank etc. (in fact, that's how I got the in-town 19mpg figure I mentioned earlier). However, I like to get a good reading on the less frequent highway trips where the multi-tank averaging cannot be done and it's just irritating when every other car I have owned fills up normally. Also, and it may be an issue for some people, but the SF's range can be reduced by as much as 50+ miles.
Different subject: Why do the car mags insist on rating the Escape so highly? Sure, it looks nice and goes like a bat from you know where but, to my way of thinking anyway, given Ford's history of engine problems and now all of the Escape (&Tribute) recalls, doesn't that enter the equation someplace? It indicates a lack of quality control in my book (& not helped by Ford's consistent low rating in Customer Service surveys). And let's not forget their lack of responsiveness to the Explorer/Firestone fiasco (ie., paying lawsuits for a couple of hundred dead people is cheaper than admitting they, or there tires, may have a problem...anybody remember the Ford Pinto??).
(I know a Mazda salesman that told me he has lost sales because he has told propective buyers that the Tribute has a Ford engine).
Maybe if someone let me thrash an Escape for a day (or week) I'd rate it high also but it's different when you plan on keeping the vehicle for 10 years.
The Escape looks nice. That's why it sells. It has an American brand name, it looks nice, and it can be had with steep discounts.
The Santa Fe has a seductive styling to it. It's not just another boxy on wheel SUV. The only fault I can find with the design is in the headlamps. It looks surprised.
You're not supposed to top off the gas tank; Most late-model vehicles are coming out equipped with their own fuel vapor recovery system called ORVR(Onboard Refuelling Vapor Recovery). As you may or may not know, the gas pumps in CA have already had recovery devices in place for years. If you don't like it, file a complaint with EPA. EPA is the agency tasked to implement the Clean Air Act, the law from which the ORVR regulation originates.
ok i had the timing belt problem...and someone on the board here told me what was wrong..i told the dealer cause they couldnt figure it out..and they fixed it no problem...next...my car "jumps, jerks, sputters, lunges" whatever you want to call it..in 2nd gear..2wd 4cyl 5speed model...and it seems to lose a little power when driving..any suggestions before i go to the trustworthy shop? on..cd player ate a cd too lol..wont play and wont give the dang thing back...but in any event...i still LOVE the santa fe.and id buy another one tomorrow..(which i may buy one for me..and let the wife have this one ...)
I'm VERY tempted to buy another one when the 2002's come out & pass this one off to my wife I like it soo much!! Just wondering... are they gonna raise sticker for 2002? I'm betting so, especially with the new features coming out.
I know about the recovery devices on the pumps - as does everyone else in California. We have had them too many years to count.
Anyway, I believe you are missing my point. I am simply saying that leaving 1.5-2 gallons of space in your tank is excessive and I really doubt that Hyundai planned on this much to avoid 'topping off'.
I have other late model cars and have spoken to friends with 2000/2001 cars and none of them have this problem. So, you see, it's not an EPA issue in my opinion but a Hyundai issue.
I had the same problem with the Ford Mustang my Santa Fe replaced. The pump would click off and I could still put 1.5 gallons in after so I am used ot it. My older cars did not have the problem so I thought it is how newer cars are built.
No, I'm not trying to "top it off"!! Good grief. I just want a full tank, not between 3/4 & Full. There is a difference between trying to get every ounce of fuel in the tank (ie., topping off) and a normal full tank.
Where do I take my car for what service? Do you mean gas? Out here in CA, 99% of us pump our own gas at self-serve stations. The problem exists at every one of them (Shell, Mobil, Chevron, 76 Union, Texaco...). Also, other posts (a recent one is #2704) have mentioned the same problem so it doesn't look like it's just my vehicle.
The problem is (again) - you don't know when the thing is full because the pump clicks-off way too soon (up to 2 gallons short of being full). Even with the pump at the slowest setting. If I stop pumping when it first clicks-off I can guarantee you the gauge will read well under the full mark. Which means I will have to gas-up 50 miles too soon (and I have better things to do).
This problem is generating way too much ink but I think some of us check our mileage every tank and some of you don't. It's an annoyance for those of us that check it and doesn't matter to the others (which I'm thinking of becoming!).
well, that's not what you've been saying... judging only from your last post(#2722), it's very obvious something is wrong with your car. I was asking about the Hyundai dealer you go to for warranty service.
I don't know what you guys are talking about. Here in Florida I keep clicking until the gas is overflowing - or just about to run down the side of the car. Is there something about California pumps that don't allow this?
That is a very bad idea since the gasoline expands in your tank. When it does, it will expand and overflow into the vapour recovery device and the fuel vent tubes of your Santa Fe, all of which were not designed to carry fuel. These components are extremely expensive not worth the extra couple of bucks of fuel you can squeeze into the tank.
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I've noticed the same thing on our SF LX. It seems to happen in hot weather most often, but I can usually get the needle all the way to full if I stop the pump before it clicks off, wait a minute, and finish filling at the lowest setting. Only problem is at some Chevron stations once you stop the pump it won't start again AT ALL. I've never seen my fuel gauge ABOVE full, like you see in a lot of cars, but I'm pretty sure I'm getting my tank capacity. My Neon does the same thing, to a lesser extent.
I just took delivery of my new Santa Fe last night. I love it!
Thanks to everyone who contributes to this message board. You helped to make this the easiest car purchase decision I've ever made.
For anyone in the metro-Detroit area looking for a good dealer, I highly recommend Arnold Hyundai. They were very professional and honest. They did an excellent job of detailing the car before handing over the keys, and the best part was how fast we were done with the paperwork. They never made us wait on them at any point during the process. I'll be visiting them when I'm in the market again for a new vehicle.
mpg stands for miles PER gallon. How does the amount of gas in your car affect mpg????? Have you ever taken your car to a Hyundai dealer for warranty service?
I'm in the market for SF AWD LX/abs or GLS/abs. Could anyone help me with info on prices paid for them around Boston area. I'm willing to travel to Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, or New York. I'd greatly appreciate any help. Thanks.
i am a signature away from buying a santa fee gls. i have a two year old child, and car safety is a primary concern. would be very interested to hear anyone's experience related to santa fe safety, including how it might have held up and protected you in an accident.
also, what about side air bags? is that good or bad?
really impressed with the content of what is posted. I am in the final stages of consideration regarding buying a santa fe gls. to that end, would be VERY interested in hearing from anyone as to three positives and three negatives for current owners....ya know, the kind of stuff that a dealer or a brochure could, or would, never tell me....
I've bought my Santa Fe LX FWD w/ABS in March and have about 7000 miles on it - long enough to find a few nits to pick. That said, here are my impressions.
Positive:
1. The ride is very impressive for an SUV - I've driven sedans that were much less comfortable. It really smooths out the bumps in the road.
2. Gas mileage has been better (for me) than the EPA numbers - I've been getting around 22 in the city. I've talked to a lot of Escape owners that were getting substantially less than Ford claims.
3. The looks. There still aren't a ton of these on the road, and it gets a lot of looks. For my money, it's the best looking small SUV on the road, hands down.
Now, the negatives. I'm really stretching on some of these, I know.
1. Off the line performance. It takes a few seconds to get moving, even with the V6. The passing power on the highway is more than adequate, but it does make you think twice when shooting gaps in traffic. If they offered a V6 with a stick the problem would be solved.
2. The back seats are difficult to adjust and fold down - instead of a handle there is a little nylon loop that you need to yank pretty hard to move. I also wish the back seats folded completely flat.
3. While I like the lifting tailgate much better than the swinging type on the Rav4, the outside handle to open the gate is on the right, while the inside handle to close the gate is on the left. Okay, so I'm really nitpicking now...
All in all, I've been really impressed with the SF, and would buy another Hyundai in a heartbeat. In fact, I'm considering an Elantra GT for myself (the SF is mainly my wife's.) As for your other question about safety, the SF is tops in the small SUV class for safety - see http://www.iihs.org. For 2001 side air bags were not an option, although I wouldn't be surprised to see them available for 2002 models, since the Sonata and Elantra both have them. Anyway, good luck with your decision!
magnin: The Santa Fe also have 3 anchors for child seats safety; which mean you can have the child seats in the rear on the right, center, or left...Yes! The Santa Fe have the best crash test in IIHS crash test base on the mini-SUV category..This is tested without the side airbags...Can imagine with the side airbags involve...If the side airbags was on this crash test then hardly any other competitors can beat on the crash test...
jaserb: I am also considered the Elantra GT as well for my 2nd car..Nice to hear that you look forward for the Elantra GT too...Hatchback, 5doors, with a Tiburon power plant engine...Save gas and still being able to load the utility stuffs too..Great car with many more options and price too...Way to go...Can't wait to drive the 2002 Elantra GT by February 2002...
Bought my SFLX2WDABS June 22, so two months now with 2,800 miles so far.
First, the GOOD:
1. VERY comfortable car. especially the leather seats and steering wheel. Smooth drive. Most controls are easy to use, cup holder, etc are in good positions.
2. The first thing everyone comments on is how much they like the color. I got the blue. This could be just friends and family that were glad to see I got rid of my purple Neon.
3. Again, Very comfortable car. Nice quiet ride. No wind noises etc....
The Bad:
1. Cruise controls in a very bad place. Easy to click off or on accidentally. (I'm sure they will change this next year).
2. 6 speaker stereo system should sound better. Don't know why it doesn't. I have friends with similar set-ups in different makes and their's sound great.
3. Actually, the car has more power than I thought it would. I have no problem with power, however, the engine is a bit sloppy in gear changes and this is especially noticeable while using an awkward cruise control (i.e., if resetting back to Cruise it guns it back up to preset speed rather than making a gradual acceleration).
I'm sure there are other things I have neglected to report, but these stand out most to me. Overall, I love the car. Let's hope they turn out to be as reliable as the warranty is suggesting.
The side impact airbags are not supposed to deploy in the IIHS 40 mph front offset crash test. As such, it will make no difference whether the vehicle has side impact airbags or not. The crash test results will still be the same. I would also add that the IIHS test is only one possible scenario out of many others to consider, such as side impact crashes, rear end collisions, and rollovers.
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They can get rid of that awdul terra-cotta orange color.
If it's one thing that is really impressive about the Santa Fe, it has the be the rear liftgate handle. I have never seen something so bold looking, and yet so perfectly functional. The Santa Fe looks really good from the back.
MPG:On every other new car I have bought, I always got more than the highest estimated MPG. On the SF I only average 21 MPG from an estimated 19 to 26. I am dissapointed in this.
Also, I have not had to test the brakes out in an emergency but so far they seem sluggish at best...anyone else feel the same.
Yeah, I love my SF, don't get me wrong, but I want everyone considereing this vehicle to know as much as possible....
Diploid - I agree, sandstone has got to go. Ours is Merlot, which I love, but I'd like to see a little greater color selection in the SF. I too love the liftgate handle, but why is the inside handle (for closing the gate) on the opposite side? -Jason
I have found the brakes to be "long" in responding. It stops o.k. but you keep going down to do so. I had the master cyclinder replaced a couple of months ago, but it still feels same.
Also, vibratioin felt in steering wheel at 57-62 mph, it is slight but it's there. Had tires rotated and balanced but to no avail.
I used Manual Shiftronic and therefore I don't have a problem with the brake. Perhaps it is the best brake system in a car that I have ever driven. If you shift it to LOWER GEAR; it is tend to stop the car automatic for use. U don't have to press the brake much...Shift to LOWER GEAR and you will understand what I mean...
IIHS mention about the deploy of the Hyundai Elantra side airbags was late.....So therefore, I think the side airbags should be involve with the crash test as well; if the car have the side airbags....They even mention about side airbags deploy on other car too......
Likes: Generally speaking, more bang for your buck than anything else. For example, all V-6's come with a tranny cooler & 4-wheel disc brakes. Unless you pay extra for a towing package you won't get a trans cooler on anything else I'm aware of (may not even be available for some)and it should add 1,000s of miles to the life of the transmission. Also, a host of little things like well-made (& lighted) sun visor mirrors (check out the obvious cost-cutting RAV4's with their cheesy plastic-cloth hinges), lumbar support on drivers seat, nice & dark tinted windows, very comfortable ride, plenty of room for rear seat passengers (that's why I was turned off by the various Subaru models - pretty cramped back there) etc. etc.
Dislikes: As another post mentioned, folding down the back seats is somewhat of a hassle. The leather smells ok but you won't confuse it with your buddies Grand Cherokee leather(of course, the GC has it's own problems!). Hyundai could have put a couple of pieces of 'wood' or brushed aluminum on the center console to dress things up a bit. And, of course, my favorite complaint (already beat to death) about inconsistent fill-ups (usually way short) which makes getting accurate MPG readings all but impossible.
All in all, with over 8,000 miles I am still pleased with the SF and would choose it over the others I looked at. (Tribute - loud inside, cheap door panels & interior, 4 ft. long gearshift (seemingly!), and main problem - a Ford motor; RAV4 - would have been fun for a week and then the harsh ride and cramped interior would have made me regret it - plus, it kind of looks like a 16 year olds car - ie., boy-racer styling; CRV - solid Honda reliability but with the usual bland, old-geezer body style; Escape - given Fords anti-consumer mentality (after purchase of course) along with their engine problems and recalls (along with the Tribute), it wasn't even considered.
No, the IIHS mentioned that the Elantra's front airbag deployed late in one of their subsequent crash tests, catching the dummy's chin, not the side impact airbag. There is no reason why a side impact airbag should deploy in a front offset test. The only other car that the IIHS has tested which has deployed its side impact airbag is the Nissan Maxima. They were surprised that this happened since it was not supposed to.
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You know, I never had the gas tank filling problem till last week, on a road trip, and I could not get the thing to go to full....My usual station does not have one of those "fume recycle" things on it, this one did....Plus, my "old time" station has a shorter nosel. So, it's got to be a pump thing, but, it was damn annoying
In Jersey, we're not allowed to pump our own gas. I don't know whether that's a blessing (not getting hands dirty) or a hassle (waiting for the service guy, making sure he doesn't pull a fast one on you).
pnw1: Yes, the problem seems to be with the special smog-reducing pumps we have here in Calif. and similar to those you experienced on your trip. It's really a pain isn't it?!!
suvshopper4: Actually, I was a little harsh on the RAV4 styling especially considering the Santa Fe is anything but conventional! I test drove the RAV4 several times (so I must have liked it huh?!) and I got a pretty good feel for it and believe it does have a firmer ride (I assume to vehicle's tires were inflated properly) but of course, that means that it probably handles the curves better than the SF. Also, I definitely liked the console in the RAV better. The bottom line, as you say, is ALL in the eye of the beholder isn't it?...and how boring it would be if it wasn't!
drew: I never heard of the 'Mandated' full serve thing before reading your post and a couple others. You're probably right about being designed to give teens a job! Where I live, the few full serve stations around are 20 cents or so higher per gallon so are you folks paying more for the privilege? I just paid $1.39 this a.m. for regular (87 octane).
Mandatory full-serve in NJ usually costs no more (and often less) than self-serve in surrounding states. [NJ has lots of refineries.]
My Dad, a union man all the way, said that he liked having to have a paid pump attendant, because it created jobs. And he thought the side benefit is, if you are having car trouble, especially after-hours, the gas jockey may be a car nut and have enough knowledge to get you fixed up, unlike the clerk in the fortress/booth.
No, absolutely not. In fact, the gas prices in my town (Coquitlam, British Columbia) are often less expensive than in the other neighbouring cities! In those areas, gas stations often have self and full-serve sections, with the full serve pumps being a bit more expensive. Most of the gas station attendants are high school or college students.
Frankly though, I do prefer filling up the tank myself since I can make sure that everything is handled properly. I've had to go down and tighten the cap (3 clicks or more) a few times in the past at some of the full-serve stations.
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Comments
2. Check to see if the car stand balance; suspension & springs.
3. Make sure you are calculation correctly.
I filed a complaint (via their web site) with the NHTSA and suggest you might want to do the same in order to get Hyundai to fix the problem. If enough of us complain - and it seems like everyone has the same problem, maybe they will fix it.
By the way, with legitimate fill-ups, my FWD LX gets about 19 in town and recently got 28-29 at 75 mph and a/c on during a trip to Vegas. Clearly, the thing is pretty economical once you get it moving!
Hyundai did so much right with this vehicle it's ironic that a 'given' like getting gas is a problem!
Best way to compensate for the effect of this when computing mileage is to also do the computation over a number of tankfuls. This minimizes the effect of inconsistent levels of "full". This is especially important here in NJ, where we cannot pump our own gas (same as Ore), and have no control over how much goes in for a fill-up; the pump clicks, and the attendant usually just pumps in enough more to round it to the next quarter's worth.
ejp
Of course, to get an overall average MPG, the method you suggest would work fine and any tank-to-tank variation would be nullified by the subsequent tank etc. (in fact, that's how I got the in-town 19mpg figure I mentioned earlier). However, I like to get a good reading on the less frequent highway trips where the multi-tank averaging cannot be done and it's just irritating when every other car I have owned fills up normally. Also, and it may be an issue for some people, but the SF's range can be reduced by as much as 50+ miles.
Different subject:
Why do the car mags insist on rating the Escape so highly? Sure, it looks nice and goes like a bat from you know where but, to my way of thinking anyway, given Ford's history of engine problems and now all of the Escape (&Tribute) recalls, doesn't that enter the equation someplace? It indicates a lack of quality control in my book (& not helped by Ford's consistent low rating in Customer Service surveys). And let's not forget their lack of responsiveness to the Explorer/Firestone fiasco (ie., paying lawsuits for a couple of hundred dead people is cheaper than admitting they, or there tires, may have a problem...anybody remember the Ford Pinto??).
(I know a Mazda salesman that told me he has lost sales because he has told propective buyers that the Tribute has a Ford engine).
Maybe if someone let me thrash an Escape for a day (or week) I'd rate it high also but it's different when you plan on keeping the vehicle for 10 years.
The Santa Fe has a seductive styling to it. It's not just another boxy on wheel SUV. The only fault I can find with the design is in the headlamps. It looks surprised.
in place for years. If you don't like it, file a complaint with EPA. EPA is the agency tasked to implement the Clean Air Act, the law from which the ORVR regulation originates.
Bill
Steve
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If they can get past the stigma of past reliability problems, Hyundai's future is starting to look bright.
Anyway, I believe you are missing my point. I am simply saying that leaving 1.5-2 gallons of space in your tank is excessive and I really doubt that Hyundai planned on this much to avoid 'topping off'.
I have other late model cars and have spoken to friends with 2000/2001 cars and none of them have this problem. So, you see, it's not an EPA issue in my opinion but a Hyundai issue.
What are the new features for the 2002???
gas tank. Where do you take your car in for service?
I just want a full tank, not between 3/4 & Full. There is a difference between trying to get every ounce of fuel in the tank (ie., topping off) and a normal full tank.
Where do I take my car for what service? Do you mean gas? Out here in CA, 99% of us pump our own gas at self-serve stations. The problem exists at every one of them (Shell, Mobil, Chevron, 76 Union, Texaco...). Also, other posts (a recent one is #2704) have mentioned the same problem so it doesn't look like it's just my vehicle.
The problem is (again) - you don't know when the thing is full because the pump clicks-off way too soon (up to 2 gallons short of being full). Even with the pump at the slowest setting. If I stop pumping when it first clicks-off I can guarantee you the gauge will read well under the full mark.
Which means I will have to gas-up 50 miles too soon (and I have better things to do).
This problem is generating way too much ink but I think some of us check our mileage every tank and some of you don't. It's an annoyance for those of us that check it and doesn't matter to the others (which I'm thinking of becoming!).
Drew
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-Jason
Thanks to everyone who contributes to this message board. You helped to make this the easiest car purchase decision I've ever made.
For anyone in the metro-Detroit area looking for a good dealer, I highly recommend Arnold Hyundai. They were very professional and honest. They did an excellent job of detailing the car before handing over the keys, and the best part was how fast we were done with the paperwork. They never made us wait on them at any point during the process. I'll be visiting them when I'm in the market again for a new vehicle.
sen1: We can do it here in CA too but it might take 50 or more 'clicks'. However, like drew (host) says, it's not a good idea since gas expands.
jaserb: It doesn't seem to matter what the temperature is (but might a little).
BTW, 'filled' up last night, clicked it a few times and here's what my gauge showed.
The '|' represents where the needle indicated.
3/4 | F(ull)
I think the bottom line is that many SF's have the potential to do the same thing but it depends on how the gas pumps work in your area.
The good news is that I got almost 33 mpg on this tank since it was 'really' full when I started!
Have you ever taken your car to a Hyundai dealer for warranty service?
also, what about side air bags? is that good or bad?
really impressed with the content of what is posted. I am in the final stages of consideration regarding buying a santa fe gls. to that end, would be VERY interested in hearing from anyone as to three positives and three negatives for current owners....ya know, the kind of stuff that a dealer or a brochure could, or would, never tell me....
thx!!!!
I've bought my Santa Fe LX FWD w/ABS in March and have about 7000 miles on it - long enough to find a few nits to pick. That said, here are my impressions.
Positive:
1. The ride is very impressive for an SUV - I've driven sedans that were much less comfortable. It really smooths out the bumps in the road.
2. Gas mileage has been better (for me) than the EPA numbers - I've been getting around 22 in the city. I've talked to a lot of Escape owners that were getting substantially less than Ford claims.
3. The looks. There still aren't a ton of these on the road, and it gets a lot of looks. For my money, it's the best looking small SUV on the road, hands down.
Now, the negatives. I'm really stretching on some of these, I know.
1. Off the line performance. It takes a few seconds to get moving, even with the V6. The passing power on the highway is more than adequate, but it does make you think twice when shooting gaps in traffic. If they offered a V6 with a stick the problem would be solved.
2. The back seats are difficult to adjust and fold down - instead of a handle there is a little nylon loop that you need to yank pretty hard to move. I also wish the back seats folded completely flat.
3. While I like the lifting tailgate much better than the swinging type on the Rav4, the outside handle to open the gate is on the right, while the inside handle to close the gate is on the left. Okay, so I'm really nitpicking now...
All in all, I've been really impressed with the SF, and would buy another Hyundai in a heartbeat. In fact, I'm considering an Elantra GT for myself (the SF is mainly my wife's.) As for your other question about safety, the SF is tops in the small SUV class for safety - see http://www.iihs.org. For 2001 side air bags were not an option, although I wouldn't be surprised to see them available for 2002 models, since the Sonata and Elantra both have them. Anyway, good luck with your decision!
Jason
The Santa Fe also have 3 anchors for child seats safety; which mean you can have the child seats in the rear on the right, center, or left...Yes! The Santa Fe have the best crash test in IIHS crash test base on the mini-SUV category..This is tested without the side airbags...Can imagine with the side airbags involve...If the side airbags was on this crash test then hardly any other competitors can beat on the crash test...
jaserb:
I am also considered the Elantra GT as well for my 2nd car..Nice to hear that you look forward for the Elantra GT too...Hatchback, 5doors, with a Tiburon power plant engine...Save gas and still being able to load the utility stuffs too..Great car with many more options and price too...Way to go...Can't wait to drive the 2002 Elantra GT by February 2002...
First, the GOOD:
1. VERY comfortable car. especially the leather seats and steering wheel. Smooth drive. Most controls are easy to use, cup holder, etc are in good positions.
2. The first thing everyone comments on is how much they like the color. I got the blue. This could be just friends and family that were glad to see I got rid of my purple Neon.
3. Again, Very comfortable car. Nice quiet ride. No wind noises etc....
The Bad:
1. Cruise controls in a very bad place. Easy to click off or on accidentally. (I'm sure they will change this next year).
2. 6 speaker stereo system should sound better. Don't know why it doesn't. I have friends with similar set-ups in different makes and their's sound great.
3. Actually, the car has more power than I thought it would. I have no problem with power, however, the engine is a bit sloppy in gear changes and this is especially noticeable while using an awkward cruise control (i.e., if resetting back to Cruise it guns it back up to preset speed rather than making a gradual acceleration).
I'm sure there are other things I have neglected to report, but these stand out most to me. Overall, I love the car. Let's hope they turn out to be as reliable as the warranty is suggesting.
Drew
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If it's one thing that is really impressive about the Santa Fe, it has the be the rear liftgate handle. I have never seen something so bold looking, and yet so perfectly functional. The Santa Fe looks really good from the back.
Also, I have not had to test the brakes out in an emergency but so far they seem sluggish at best...anyone else feel the same.
Yeah, I love my SF, don't get me wrong, but I want everyone considereing this vehicle to know as much as possible....
I agree, sandstone has got to go. Ours is Merlot, which I love, but I'd like to see a little greater color selection in the SF. I too love the liftgate handle, but why is the inside handle (for closing the gate) on the opposite side?
-Jason
keep going down to do so. I had the master cyclinder replaced a couple
of months ago, but it still feels same.
Also, vibratioin felt in steering wheel at 57-62 mph, it is slight but
it's there. Had tires rotated and balanced but to no avail.
Anyone else with same?
Generally speaking, more bang for your buck than anything else. For example, all V-6's come with a tranny cooler & 4-wheel disc brakes. Unless you pay extra for a towing package you won't get a trans cooler on anything else I'm aware of (may not even be available for some)and it should add 1,000s of miles to the life of the transmission. Also, a host of little things like well-made (& lighted) sun visor mirrors (check out the obvious cost-cutting RAV4's with their cheesy plastic-cloth hinges), lumbar support on drivers seat, nice & dark tinted windows, very comfortable ride, plenty of room for rear seat passengers (that's why I was turned off by the various Subaru models - pretty cramped back there) etc. etc.
Dislikes:
As another post mentioned, folding down the back seats is somewhat of a hassle.
The leather smells ok but you won't confuse it with your buddies Grand Cherokee leather(of course, the GC has it's own problems!).
Hyundai could have put a couple of pieces of 'wood' or brushed aluminum on the center console to dress things up a bit.
And, of course, my favorite complaint (already beat to death) about inconsistent fill-ups (usually way short) which makes getting accurate MPG readings all but impossible.
All in all, with over 8,000 miles I am still pleased with the SF and would choose it over the others I looked at. (Tribute - loud inside, cheap door panels & interior, 4 ft. long gearshift (seemingly!), and main problem - a Ford motor; RAV4 - would have been fun for a week and then the harsh ride and cramped interior would have
made me regret it - plus, it kind of looks like a 16 year olds car - ie., boy-racer styling; CRV - solid Honda reliability but with the usual bland, old-geezer body style; Escape - given Fords anti-consumer mentality (after purchase of course) along with their engine problems and recalls (along with the Tribute), it wasn't even considered.
Yeah, the RAV4's sun visors are not their strong suit. Cheesy, you say. OK, no argument here.
But, since you brought it up, all '01 RAVs, auto and manual, also come with a tranny cooler.
I don't know what you mean by harsh ride (since I lowered the tire pressure to where it is supposed to be).
As far as styling, that cuts both ways; eye of the beholder.
I agree that the Sante Fe does include a lot for the money - 'more bang for your buck', as you say.
ejp (much, much older than 16 years of age)
Drew
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Drew
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suvshopper4: Actually, I was a little harsh on the RAV4 styling especially considering the Santa Fe is anything but conventional! I test drove the RAV4 several times (so I must have liked it huh?!) and I got a pretty good feel for it and believe it does have a firmer ride (I assume to vehicle's tires were inflated properly) but of course, that means that it probably handles the curves better than the SF. Also, I definitely liked the console in the RAV better. The bottom line, as you say, is ALL in the eye of the beholder isn't it?...and how boring it would be if it wasn't!
My Dad, a union man all the way, said that he liked having to have a paid pump attendant, because it created jobs. And he thought the side benefit is, if you are having car trouble, especially after-hours, the gas jockey may be a car nut and have enough knowledge to get you fixed up, unlike the clerk in the fortress/booth.
Frankly though, I do prefer filling up the tank myself since I can make sure that everything is handled properly. I've had to go down and tighten the cap (3 clicks or more) a few times in the past at some of the full-serve stations.
Drew
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