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2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

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Used Car Price Range
$13,731 - $29,085
$13,731 $29,085
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2018 SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $30,850
2018 SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $32,600
2018 SE Ultimate 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $38,850
2018 Limited Ultimate 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $39,550
2018 SE Ultimate 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $40,600
2018 Limited Ultimate 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $41,300
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

The three-row, midsize crossover segment is crowded with strong contenders, the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe among them. Hyundai manages to stand out by offering a well-equipped model for the money.

What's New for 2018

Following a complete overhaul in 2017, the 2018 Santa Fe arrives unchanged.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Choosing Your Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2018 Santa Fe is a seven-passenger model with three rows of seating. The top trim seats six as the three-place middle row seat is swapped out for a pair of captains’ chairs. Standard storage space measures just 13.5 cubic feet behind the third-row seat. Behind the second-row seat that space increases to 40.9 cubic feet. Maximum storage capacity is 80 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded.

All models come with a 3.3-liter V6 engine making 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. This engine works alongside a six-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels, although customers may opt for all-wheel drive for an additional $1,750. The Santa Fe returns an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive or 17/22 with the Limited Ultimate and all-wheel drive. The Santa Fe is rated to pull 2,000 pounds or 5,000 pounds with a trailer brake installed.

The Santa Fe is available in three grades: SE, SE Ultimate, and Limited Ultimate. Package options are available across the model line.

Hyundai Santa Fe

SE

Starting at $30,850, the Santa Fe SE is competitively priced. Unlike some competitors, Hyundai doesn’t shove a base engine or bare bones trim in to achieve this price threshold. Standard equipment includes automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, heated side mirrors, dual exhausts, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Interior equipment includes a tilt and telescoping steering column, stain-resistant cloth seats, dual-zone climate control, Hyundai's Blue Link telematics with a 7-inch color display, a six-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, USB connectivity.

A Premium Package ($3,650) adds front LED fog lights, power side mirrors, a power liftgate, a proximity key with push-button start, leather upholstery, manual rear side window sunshades, blind spot detection, and rear-cross traffic alert with lane change assist.

Hyundai Santa Fe

SE Ultimate

The SE Ultimate makes a big leap to $38,850, or exactly $8,000 more than the base trim. The SE Ultimate builds on the standard model by adding turn signal indicators to the side-view mirrors, keyless entry with push-button start, and a hands-free liftgate.

Other features include leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded instrument panel, wood trim, a panoramic sunroof, power front seats with heating and ventilation, heated outboard second-row seats, manual rear side window sunshades, an Infinity audio system, and an eight-inch color display with navigation.

An available Tech Package ($2,100) adds smart cruise control with full stop and start, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, an electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold, HID headlights, high beam assist, and active front lights that bend around turns, expanding your nighttime viewing range.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Limited Ultimate

Reaching the Santa Fe’s top trim is only a $700 upgrade from the SE Ultimate, bringing Limited Ultimate's starting price to $39,550. What's that extra coin get you? The biggest change are the second row captain's chairs, which replace the standard three-person bench. There are also LED taillights and silver accent trim in the cabin.

The Tech Package, which adds all the active safety gear you could possibly want, remains a $2,100 option.

CarsDirect Tip

Normally, we don’t recommend base models as these typically lack the convenience features and power of higher trim versions, but the Santa Fe SE with the Premium Package and all-wheel drive is available for just $36,250. That's a big savings over a pair of pricier trims without a significant sacrifice in terms of equipment.

Get your price on a Hyundai Santa Fe »

author image
Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

Five years after coming to market and one year after a mild refresh, the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe continues to present a value proposition for family focused shoppers. Although a new model should hit showrooms in the near future, the current Santa Fe's excellent safety scores, comfortable ride, and overall versatility make it a solid choice in the in the midsize crossover class.

Best Value

The 2018 Santa Fe ranges in price from $30,850 for a front-wheel-drive model in base SE trim and rises to $44,350 for one in Limited trim with all-wheel-drive and equipped with the Tech Package. All models feature a 290 horsepower 3.3-liter V6 matched to a six-speed automatic as well as a high level of standard equipment.

We'd pass on the base SE for the midrange SE Ultimate with its leather interior, panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel and middle-row seats, heated and cooled front seats, smart key with pushbutton start, rear side window sunshades, hands-free liftgate, larger eight-inch touchscreen, Infinity sound system, multi-view camera system with rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. Choosing the Ultimate trim also gains access to the optional Tech Package with its host of active safety features.

  • Model: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Ultimate
  • Engine: 3.3-liter V6
  • Output: 290 horsepower / 252 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Six-speed automatic
  • MPG: 18 City / 25 Hwy
  • Exterior color: Regal Red Pearl
  • Interior color: Beige
  • Options: Tech Package ($2,100, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, electronic parking brake, dynamic HID headlights, and automatic high beams)
  • Base Price: $39,800
  • As Tested: $41,900

Performance Pros

Hyundai Santa Fe
  • The Santa Fe presents a smoother ride than the similar Santa Fe Sport, owing to its longer wheelbase.
  • The six-speed transmission shifts crisply.
  • The Santa Fe's ride is calm and quiet both in around town driving and highway cruising.

Performance Cons

  • The transmission sometimes hesitates under hard acceleration.
  • Steering feedback is vague off-center.
  • Despite its 290-horsepower V6 engine, the Santa Fe's powertrain struggles to manage the crossover's weight.

Interior Pros

  • Both the nicely-bolstered front seats and those in the middle row offer plenty of leg and headroom.
  • With the third row folded, the Santa Fe has more than 40 cubic feet of cargo space.
  • Interior trim quality is above average for the class.

Interior Cons

Hyundai Santa Fe
  • Third row is small, difficult to reach, and lacks sufficient knee and headroom for adults.
  • Cargo room behind the third row is a subpar 13.5 cubic feet.
  • More tire noise than in the smaller Santa Fe Sport model.

Our Favorite Thing

The Santa Fe's smooth ride is a real highlight, as it reduces fatigue on the kind of long drives owners will likely enlist it for.

Our Least Favorite Thing

The Santa Fe trails competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander with a smaller third row seat and less cargo space behind it.

Right For

Hyundai Santa Fe

A smooth ride, spacious cabin, and long list of standard features make the Santa Fe a good choice for families with younger children and a viable alternative to a minivan.

Wrong For

Although a 4,000-pound crossover isn't expected to be particularly fuel efficient, the Santa Fe SE Ultimate's EPA-estimated 17 miles per gallon in the city, 20 on the highway, and 20 combined ratings trail competitors like the Honda Pilot (19 city, 27 highway, 22 combined), Toyota Highlander (20 city, 27 highway, 23 combined), Chevrolet Traverse (20 city, 26 highway, 22 combined), and Nissan Murano (18 city, 27 highway, 21 combined). Those interested in fuel economy should look elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

Although its fuel economy trails that of many of its competitors, the Santa Fe's smooth ride, spacious interior, value, and level of standard features make it a solid offering in its class.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.3L V-6 / 290 HP / 252 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd SHIFTRONIC w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
18 / 25 / 21 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
3.3L V-6 / 290 HP / 252 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
18 / 25 / 21 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.8 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$72
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
80.0 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
147 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
193.1 "
Exterior Width
74.2 "
Exterior Height
66.5 "
Front Headroom
39.9 "
Rear Headroom
39.4 "
Front Legroom
41.3 "
Rear Legroom
40.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
59.4 "
Rear Shoulder Room
58.3 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,026 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
18.5 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Machined Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated, Convex Spotter Driver / Power Remote Heated Driver
Bumpers
Front Body-colored With Metal-look Insert
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7
Seat Trim
Yes Essentials Premium Cloth / Leather
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way / (6-way Power)
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
40-20-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Clock, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
4
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Detection (bsd) With Lane Change Assist (lca) Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months
120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Used 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe for Sale

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