2009 Hyundai Santa Fe
Should You Buy a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-sized SUV that offers a blend of practicality and performance, making it a solid choice for families and individuals alike. With a 2.7L V6 engine producing 185 horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque, it delivers adequate power for daily driving and weekend getaways. Its front-wheel drive system and 5-speed manual transmission provide a straightforward driving experience, while the combined fuel efficiency of 20 MPG keeps running costs manageable. Priced at an MSRP of $21,695, it presents a competitive option in the used SUV market.
However, potential buyers should be aware of some concerning NHTSA complaint data, which includes 44 crash incidents and 7 fire incidents, alongside 44 reported injuries and 9 fatalities. The most frequently reported issues involve the fuel/propulsion system, which has shown reliability concerns particularly around the 60,000 to 120,000-mile range. Despite these issues, the Santa Fe maintains a reliability score of 90.3 out of 100, indicating that many owners have had positive experiences with the vehicle overall.
The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe is best suited for budget-conscious families or individuals looking for a reliable and spacious SUV for daily commuting and occasional road trips.
Strengths
- +Spacious interior with comfortable seating for five
- +Decent fuel economy for a mid-sized SUV at 20 MPG combined
- +Strong reliability score of 90.3/100
- +Affordable price point in the used SUV market
- +Adequate power from the 2.7L V6 engine
Weaknesses
- -Reported issues with the fuel/propulsion system
- -Higher incidence of crash and fire complaints compared to competitors
- -Limited advanced safety features for its model year
- -Front-wheel drive may not appeal to those needing all-wheel drive capabilities
- -Manual transmission may not be preferred by all buyers
Known Issues (NHTSA Data)
The 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe has notable complaints primarily related to the fuel/propulsion system, which accounts for 109 of the 503 total complaints. Issues often arise between 60,000 and 120,000 miles, indicating a pattern of reliability concerns in this area. While there are serious complaints, including crash and fire incidents, the overall reliability score remains high at 90.3/100, suggesting that many vehicles perform well despite these issues.
Performance
- Horsepower
- –
- Torque
- –
- Engine
- 2.7 L
- Cylinders
- V6
- Transmission
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drive Type
- FWD
Efficiency
- MPG Combined
- 20
- Fuel Type
- Regular Gasoline
Dimensions
- Length
- 184.3 in
- Width
- 74.4 in
- Height
- 70.9 in
- Wheelbase
- 106.3 in
- Curb Weight
- 3,726 lbs
- Ground Clearance
- –
Capacity
- Doors
- 4
- Seating
- –
- Cargo
- –
- Max Cargo
- –
- Max Towing
- –
- Max Payload
- –