Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
17 City / 23 HWY
Horsepower
200
Seats
5
Front angle medium view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Kate Y
The all-weather Santa Fe; a companion for everyday.
The Santa Fe has good power with great acceleration. The lift hatch is great as it provides cover when it is raining. There are accessories inside which I haven't even explored yet! It is a great vehicle to have when the snow plow plows you in - just accelerate and go!
accountCircle Monica R
Repairs are a nightmare to do rack a lot of mechanic hours.
I love the size but I do not like the way the gas pedal accelerates. I do not like the how on top of each wheel well has rusted.
accountCircle Asia L
Hyundai Santa fe has proven to be a dependable car
I bought my car used and have had it over 3 years. I put on about 50,000 miles before I had to make any repairs. Nothing major has gone wrong it's been a very dependable car for my family. We drove it to move to Florida from RI 1,400 miles with no problems. I have moved large items with it like a couch and a treadmill. The back seats fold down to allow tons of room to fix things in which has come in handy many times. When it comes time for a newer car I'll be looking at another Hyundai since I've had good luck with this one. I was rear-ended in it and no one was seriously hurt and we got hit pretty hard the other car was half way under us. I keep up with the oil changes and tires and in the time I've had it I finally had to replace the battery and was shocked to find out it was the original factory batter from 2005 still there. The car seems to be made with quality parts as they have lasted and now as I'm making some replacements I'm finding out they are all original parts so this means that the car has run smooth without repairs since 2005 and now only due to its age is now starting to need some things fixed but I must say I have never been stranded the problems were always gradual and obvious but I was always able to still drive it until it got repaired.
accountCircle Mafria h
It just keeps going and going !!!
I've had this vehicle 13 years and other than some minor stuff, it hasn't given me any problems
accountCircle Jan
Realizable!
The Santa Fe has been my third Hyundai. I bought a 2005 used in 2013 with 103,000 miles on it. We did only maintenance work on it up until 2018 when it left my son stranded for the first time. We still have it with 230,000 miles on it!
accountCircle Jared S
My Journey in my Hyundai Santa Fe and the longevity of my vehicle's lifespan.
My 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe has been an excellent vehicle to own and get me through my travels. It has held up quite nicely for the 141k miles I have driven it up to. As for any car with this amount of miles and the age, some complications have come up. I replaced all the brakes and rotors, replaced the starter twice, replaced the abs module, and had to change the spark plugs. The price, although expensive, has been worth it due to the fact that a new car payment would have been a lot more pricey.
accountCircle Robin S
It was a great choice of purchase.
There is no problem with my vehicle, it runs great, good gas mileage. Only normal maintenance is required as necessary such as changing motor oil, changing the spark plugs and wires and the battery. And of course always check your fluids such as, brake fluid, motor oil, power steering and transmission oil. Having good tires is always a plus, makes the vehicle drive like bra and new! Its has been very reliable without leaving me stranded, thank god!! I am comfortable driving my vehicle and no one has complained about being uncomfortable while being a passenger. Features are good but with a all the updated choices now, I can use the updates.
accountCircle Angela Y
Fun to drive fits in most parking spaces easily.
It is a v6 but does not have much get up and go. I really like everything else about it. The repairs are not really expensive either. Of course it helps having an as mechanic for a son too. My husband is 6'2" and has a bit of a hard time getting in, but I bought the car before I met him, so oh well.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Alexis K
Hyundai Santa Fe is a very undependable car.
The car does not drive nicely, the gas and brake are both very touchy. The gas tank had a leak. Also, the gas mileage is not the greatest. It is one of the worst cars, I have ever drove. The only thing I like about the car, is that it is all wheel drive which is really nice in the winter.
accountCircle Amma S
I do not think it is made to the same quality level as a Honda or Toyota. The issues are persistent and difficult to fix.
I like the fact that it is a taller vehicle which makes it easier for me to see. It needs work though as it diesels, hates running in hot weather and very much does not like to start after a fill up! The paint job is terrible. The backseats are not comfortable.
accountCircle Eve A
Avoid buying...lots of small annoying issues. Spend your money elsewhere.
I dislike the high center of gravity on our twisty mountain roads. Gas mileage is not good. Little, things that cost a lot to fix have broken. The car does not want to start after filling it up with gas, when it is hot it diesels a lot, and it is not the safest vehicle.
accountCircle Teddy M
It is an older model. It still runs well but it could use a lot of body work.
Needs a lot of work. Could use some new struts. Breaks too. And it is a very noisy vehicle. Possibly beyond repair.
accountCircle Patricia O
I have had this vehicle for 15 years.
This car has been very reliable for the past 15 years but I have issues with the gas line and air conditioning. Problems starting after filling with gas, and interior is getting worn down. Hyundai last long but only if properly maintained. Tires and brake pads must be changed regularly.
accountCircle James R
05 Hyundai Santa Fe Longevity
It has over 170,000 miles on it. I've had to replace quite a few pulleys and belts in the last five years. The engine and transmission have been really good, but it is starting to get to the age where it's costing me more to keep it running than it's worth.
accountCircle Rachel C
Tall people will not be comfortable driving my car.
My car seats five. It drives well. Its an automatic. My husband is very tall so his head rubs the inside roof. He has long legs and the seat does not go far enough back for his comfort. The cruise control also does not work properly. It does have a lot of storage in the back.
accountCircle tina b
Roomy leg space in the back seat for traveling. Very comfortable.
Reasonable on gas. Roomy. Comfy drive. Good in the snow

Hyundai Santa Fe Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
GLS
200 HP 20-20 MPG 5 Seats
car
LX
200 HP 20-20 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Reviews

4.13
108 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 44%
4 stars 31%
3 stars 19%
2 stars 6%
1 star 0%
accountCircle Ad S on April 2, 2021
Very little headspace and it is definitely not a car for tall people.
It is a very small SUV in terms of interior space. I am 5’4 and I drive with the seat all the way back. It is very uncomfortable for anyone over 5’10 to be in my car. Part of this is due to the sun roof.
accountCircle Angela Y on March 19, 2021
Fun to drive fits in most parking spaces easily.
It is a v6 but does not have much get up and go. I really like everything else about it. The repairs are not really expensive either. Of course it helps having an as mechanic for a son too. My husband is 6'2" and has a bit of a hard time getting in, but I bought the car before I met him, so oh well.

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Kate Y.

Cargo space. High chassis. Good in the snow. Good acceleration. Power windows. Air conditioning. Power seats. Heated seats. Turns headlights off when you forget to. Compact size. Four doors. Rear windshield wiper. Six CD player.

likeFilled Chris S.

Very reliable and economical car. I am currently the third owner of this vehicle and it is still running great. Has very good gas mileage. Normal wear and tear parts and affordable. Definitely a car that last a long time.

likeFilled Teresa T.

Sun/moonroof. Heated seats. Power doors and power windows. Lots of space. Radio with CD changer. Alarm system. Compartmentalized trunk. Two spare tires. Pockets on each of the seats for backseat storage.

likeFilled Debra M.

Drives smoothly, roomy, I like it and so does my family and friends because it gets us where we need to go, never as stalled or quit on me, have replaced tires and a few other things but overall a great vehicle for us.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Kate Y.

Costly repairs. Old age issues that pile up. Mysterious oil leaks. Costs more to gas up than a car. Tires are expensive. You cannot block some of the heating vents so that when the engine leaks oil, the hideous smell easily leaks into the cabin, causing worries about breathing in toxic air as I drive.

dislikeFilled Chris S.

Driver side to me feels small. Does not provide a lot of legroom. Cannot adjust steering wheel to push in or out. Only up and down. The chair also does not go back all the way. I feel too close to the steering wheel.

dislikeFilled Teresa T.

Needs lots of work. No AUX cable connection available. No room for the second spare tire. CD changer gets stuck. Seat and not powered. Sometimes the locks do not engage. Easy to break into. The sun/moonroof does not always respond to the buttons being pressed to open or close.

dislikeFilled Debra M.

Paint has faded, it is a merlot color, sometimes the shift seems to hesitate but other than that I love it, there are not many cons about it that is why I have had it so long, and it has 135,000 miles on it and still rides like new.

Ranks #11 Midsize SUV by Owners

The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe has an average owner rating of 4.13 out of 5 which ranks it #11 of 17 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
5
2
car
4.63
11
Tie
car
4.13

Ranks #3 Midsize SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe has a combined MPG of 24 which ranks it #3 of 17 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
26 MPG
2
Tie
car
24 MPG
2
Tie
car
24 MPG
3
car
23 MPG

Is The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe A Good Car?

Yes, it is really good car, engine, comfortable with great space in the back for shopping and absolutely economic for gas.
Ingrid R.
Yes, never really had a major problem with it just the usually wear and tear. I did have to change the gas tank it rusted out, but the car was 13 yrs old
Danielle L.

How Reliable Is The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe?

No really to normally change to oil and checking pressure tires, and absolutely super economy for gas.
Ingrid R.
Very reliable, the only problem besides wear and tear, was the electronic directional n,s,e,w never worked, brought the car back 3 times for that, they kept replacing it but they never worked, so I... Read More
Dion P.

Is The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe A Good Value?

Yes, when I buy my car it is a great price, I buy last 3 years and right now this work good, resist an hopefully still there for many years more.
Ingrid R.
Well that was 13 yrs ago, I think it was like $26,000 I still have the car and it’s 14 yrs old, I think I got my money’s worth
BERNADETTE M.

Related Articles for 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe

From the Vehicle History blog

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Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability: How Long Will it Last?

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe speed sensor location?

Answer: The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe speed sensor location can be found by watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za7VkC4NCkQ The transmission is one of the most important parts of the vehicle. You will come into...

What's the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe power steering fluid type?

Answer: The initial recommendation from Hyundai for power steering fluid in the 2005 Santa Fe was PSF-3. However, this hasn't been used for a number of years now -- the upgraded recommendation has since become PSF-4....

What's the 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe coolant type?

Answer: The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe coolant type is Blue 50/50. You will come across many issues with an engine. A spark plug may come off, causing engine issues. A gasket may become loose and that needs to be tightened...

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe: What is the towing capacity including torque, payload, and tongue weight?

Answer: The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe has a maximum towing capacity of up to 2,700 or 3,300 pounds. This creates a tongue weight that ranges froM270 pounds, up to 330 pounds. The tongue weight is measured aS-10 to 15...

2005 Hyundai Santa Fe: What is the oil type and capacity?

Answer: The 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe oil type and capacity iS5w20 and 4.5 quarts. Having high quality oil is key for the engine to run smoothly. You will run into issues with the oil at some point. A common problem is an...

Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety