2006 Hyundai Santa Fe User Reviews

Pros

Price, warranty, overall good quality

Cons

Gas mileage could be a bit better, but not terrible

This is my second Hyundai, the first (that I still own) was a 2000 Tiburon. That one is still going strong with just over 102,000 miles on it. I wanted a 4W drive and something I could fit some large items in if need be and couldn't be happier. I've had the Santa Fe for seven months now with no problems. It only has about 6800 miles on it but considering the low price and and the warranty it was a steal compared with Toyota and all the others.
The ride is comfortable, the engine (2.7L V6) is capable, and it has plenty of standard features. The 4W drive is great in the snow. I average between 18-20 miles per gallon around town and somewhat better on the highway, although I haven't done much highway driving with it. The gas mileage would be the only negative, but considering the size and the full time 4W drive it isn't all that bad.
If the Santa Fe holds up as well as my Tiburon after 100,000 miles I'll be very happy.
All in all, Hyundai has come a long way in the quality of their vehicles. You get a lot without paying a small fortune....read morehide

Pros

All the bells and whistles

Cons

no complaints

I am Happy with my Santa Fe 2006, and this is my 3rd one...I love em...Gas mileage good compared to other SUV's..My Dealership goes out of their way to keep me happy.

Pros

Design, Initial Quality, Handling, Cabin noise or lack of.......

Cons

Fuel economy could be better........

This vehicle was a replacement to my 2004 Dodge Durango Limited. I was very satisfied with the Dodge on all items except gas mileage. This has been an excellent replacement to the Durango. Handling and overall ride and performance are actually better in the Hyundai. Lacking only in the area of towing capacity and the third row seat.

Best MPG that I ever had with the Dodge was 17mpg with 15mpg being the norm. The Hyundai has been doing OK in the fuel economy area. It has been averaging around 20mpg with the best coming in at 32mpg and the worst has been 13mpg. Have not made it to 5k miles yet so the mileage variation may be from it needing a little more break in time....read morehide

Pros

Quality, fit and finish, refinement

Cons

Wind and road noise

This is my second Hyundai vehicle and I continue to be impressed. No other sport utility comes close in terms of price and what you get. The quality is superb - the engine feels refined - it is a blast to drive. It has a great ride, smoother than the 2007 Santa Fe. It handles very easily and inspires confidence when driving. I like the fact that you sit up high; the seats are very comfortable, both front and rear, which recline. The height of the vehicle has done wonders to avoid those dreaded door dings - the plastic body cladding takes the punishment. My only gripes are a bit of wind noise, which doesn't bother my wife at all, and the fuel economy. I average between 19 - 22 mpg in a mix of city and country driving. Not bad, but I would like it to be better. Overall, I am extremely pleased with this car and would recommend Hyundai to anyone - the company has made tremendous gains in the last decade. Given the level of equipment and refinement, the Santa Fe was an absolute steal at the price....read morehide

Pros

Oil changes for life, 100,000 waranty, good gas economy for highway miles

Cons

Standard 1 disc cd player and tape deck,no automatic door locks when when car is put into Drive.

This was Santa Fe number 2 for me and if it weren't for the fact that my '03 hit 60K miles and needed a new timming belt I'd still have that one. The insentives to upgrade to a 2006 in July 2006 were too good to pass up. I have pretty much the same car (same bells and whistles) as in the 2003. The major complaint I have is that in the 2003 model I had a MONSOON stereo system with a 6 disc changer and when I "upgraded" to the 2006 I lost the six disc and got a tape deck/single cd player instead. I have no idea what comes standeard in the 2007, but you would think Hyundai would have done a better job researching the demographics of people who are purchasing their cars. The tape dek in my '06 will stay unused for the time I have this model. One last gripe, I wish the door automatically locked once the car is put into drive or when it hits 30mph. Just one of those saftey features that come standard with other compriable SUVs. FYI, even when the doors ARE locked the passenger in the front seat can just pull the handle to unlock and open their door. I don't have kids/teenagers yet, but this could be an issue for some.
Overall, it's a peppy ride, great looking car, plenty of stoarge space and comfortable to sit in. My husband and brother are over 6 feet tall and fit well in the front OR back seats. We'll see how my 1st winter with the 2006 goes........I feel safe to say it will be a good one....read morehide

Pros

Style and ride comfort

Cons

VERY POOR GAS MILEAGE!

Our Hyundai Santa Fe is actually a 2005 model that was purchased in December of 2005. The Santa Fe is the 2 wheel drive model with the 2.7 liter V6.

We are happy with the style and the comfort of the ride. HOWEVER we are very unhappy with the gas mileage. This SUV was rated at 25 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg city driving. The vehicle has a little over 18K miles on it and gets 21 to 22 mpg, perfect conditions, on the highway and also averages only around 14 to 15 mpg in the city. At times the mileage even dips into the 13 mpg for city driving.

There are full size pickups that get better gas mileage than this!...read morehide

Pros

60,000 miles,not one problem.

Cons

not as fast as some others,no problems with 70m.p.h.

watch interest rate, can pay double the price,if not careful.found to be best car for the buck.

Pros

GOOD GAS MILAGE. NOT AS GOOD AS THE 4 CYLINDER BUT GOOD

Cons

NONE

I TRADED IN MY 04 4 CYLINDER AFTER A YEAR FOR THE 05 6 CYLINDER. THE GAS MILAGE IS NOT AS GOOD BUT THAT IS TO BE EXPECTED. THE O4 GOT ME FROM DC TO NC ON A TANK OF GAS AND I STILL HAD A QUARTER TANK WHEN I GOT THERE. THIS IS THE MOST STABLE RIDE I HAVE HAD IN A SUV AS FAR AS EXCESS MOTION.

Pros

Ride, comfort, extras, alarm system, quality, price, warrenty.

Cons

Gas mileage if it were only better, but you can't have everything.

I have purchased numerous cars in my life time and this has been the most pleasant experience. The dealership could do a lot better job of finalizing the sale, but other than that I couldn't be happier. Many items extra on some cars standard with alarm system, alloy wheels, I could go on and on. craftsmanship secound to none. I had a honda civic for 5 months a tin can compared to this....read morehide

Pros

low price, friendly dealer

Cons

cheap interior, weak performance, unreliable

I was sold a bill of goods. Seemed fine initially but then started falling apart with seat handle breaking off and then the knobs falling off. Gas mileage much worse than advertised. Engine struggles to go up hills with a huge amount of noise. Very depressing purchase.