The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, like most model years, trails behind the Honda CR-V in terms of longevity and fuel economy, but it’s a spacious, dependable, low-maintenance mid-size SUV at a fair price. Neither the best SUV on the market nor the cheapest, but arguably the best deal you’re going to get, with typical listing prices starting around $6,000.
Is the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – A pretty good SUV at a very good price.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – There are more comfortable SUVs out there, but not many at this price.
- Reliability 7/10 – The Santa Fe is cheap to maintain, but is unlikely to last as long as a comparable Toyota or Honda.
- Safety 9/10 – Anti-lock brakes and traction control come standard, and the SUV earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – 18/24 miles to the gallon isn’t terrible for a 2008 mid-size SUV with a V6 engine, but an i4 option would have been nice to have.
- Value 8/10 – The Santa Fe is really good in some areas, merely serviceable in others, but priced to move, with the Kelley Blue Book fair market range starting at around $5,500.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Consumer Reports named the 2008 Santa Fe a “good SUV.” They liked the spacious interior and optional third row, and they found the cabin to be well-appointed. They liked the responsive handling and the broad engine lineup, but noted that fuel economy could be better.
Kelley Blue Book named the 2008 Santa Fe as possibly the best value SUV available for its model year. They remarked on Hyundai’s tendency to improve the quality of a given vehicle bit by bit over the years, but they note that the automaker’s budget-car reputation may turn some drivers off.
Edmunds added to the consensus in praising the Santa Fe’s spacious, well-designed interior. They also liked the SUV’s crash test scores, competitive pricing, and optional third row. They note that the vehicle is a bit dull to drive, though, with an underwhelming feel in the transmission and the handling.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe has generated 519 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than a third of these are for issues with the fuel system, with drivers reporting faulty fuel level sensors.
68 airbag complaints point to warning lights staying illuminated for no apparent reason. There have been two airbag recalls, one for a broken clock spring contact assembly in 2011, and one for glitches in the occupant sensors in 2012, but complaints persist as late as 2022.
A number of drivers have reported the vehicle stalling out and losing power while in motion, often while making a turn. A handful of complaints pointing to power steering loss may be related to this issue, but, at present, there may not be enough data to make a comprehensive diagnosis without word from the NHTSA.
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe has been recalled 6 times, which is within the median range for an SUV of this age.
How Long Will the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Last?
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe should last at least 200,000 miles with adequate care. It’s not unusual to see a Santa Fe with 250,000 miles or more on the odometer, but if you’re accounting for the previous owner’s driving and maintenance habits you have to estimate on the low end.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $454, which is on the lower end for a used SUV. New powertrain control modules are the most expensive common repair, starting at around $1,428. New timing chain tensioners and liftgate pulldown motors aren’t far behind, at $1,076 and $1,031, respectively.
It has been very reliable. There was a recall several years ago, but it was handled quickly and without any hassle.
Yes, we have had very few mechanical problems and have just done recommended maintenance and tires since we bought it new.
It has had problems with the fuel pump and a current issue where when I pump gas it hesitates to start but it is probably due to it being a 2008 and needing parts to be replaced. Overall it's a good car.
The only problems it has is that it eats gas, and that the steering wheel shakes whenever I brake my car.
As I said before, my car was pre owned, so I wouldn't know any actual problems but so far there has been plenty small things but it is only because of the condition I bought it in previously.
Yes it is very reliable. I have not had any problems with it at all. I have never had it break down or anything.
It does not have any problems. I travel hundreds of miles a few times a year and since I have had the car it never gave me ANY problems from the trips I would take.
My check engine light came on and it was something in my gas tank. It’s going to cost me 400$-500$ to fix but it only affects my gas gage and I'm using my trip button on my dash. I've fixed a ball joint and now something else needs fixed it’s going to cost me around 200$ to fix.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2008 Santa Fe ranges from adequate to impressive. You’ve got an MP3 player as a standard feature in the base model, and the high-end Limited includes a 10-speaker Infinity Logic 7 sound system.
Safety technology in the 2008 Santa Fe is good for the model year. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are both included as standard features.
Is the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Value?
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe is priced fairly. An entry-level GLS typically sells for around $6,010, while a high-end Limited usually goes for around $6,951. There are cheaper SUVs out there, but the Santa Fe offers solid value at a fair price.
Low maintenance costs are a big selling point here. The SUV should cost less than forty bucks a month to keep running, and that ain’t bad for a vehicle from 2008.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe is available in three trim levels, from the base GLS to the high-end Limited edition.
With the entry-level GLS you’re getting:
- Anti-lock brakes and traction control
- CD/MP3 player
- Remote keyless entry
- Manual air conditioning
- Cloth seating
The mid-range SE adds:
- Heated mirrors
- Premium cloth seating
- Leather wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls
The top-of-the-line Limited features all that, plus:
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
- Sliding/tilting sunroof
- Leather seating
- Heated front seats
- Infinity Logic 7 sound system with 10 speakers and 6-disc CD changer
- 8-way power-adjust driver seat
What Engines Come In the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The GLS model 2008 Santa Fe comes packed with a 2.7L V6 engine delivering 185 horsepower and 183 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front/all wheel drive, and it averages 18/24 miles to the gallon.
- SE and Limited edition Santa Fes are equipped with a 3.3L V6 engine delivering 242 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in front/all wheel drive, and it averages 17/24 miles to the gallon. Note that the Santa Fe isn’t really rated for towing, as no matter which engine you go with your capacity taps out at 1,650 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2008 Santa Fe is one of the most comfortable SUVs in its price range. There are bigger SUVs out there, but the Santa Fe stretches 55 inches across at the hip with space for an optional third row in the back. The interior trim quality is better than you might expect of a Hyundai, and the suspension rides nice and smooth.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
With the seats up you’ve got about 34 cubic feet of storage space in the 2008 Santa Fe, or 78 cubic feet with the seats down. This is enough space for a dozen medium suitcases in the back, and you could make small furniture hauls with the seating area.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe was the second model year in the SUV’s 2nd Generation, running from 2007 to 2012.
2006: New exterior colors were added for 2006, including Merlot, Canyon Red, and Dark Emerald Green.
2007: The Santa Fe was rebuilt from top to bottom for 2008. The biggest change was the SUV’s shift from compact to mid-size.
2008: Sunroof sand Infinity sound systems were made added to the Limited edition in 2008.
2009: 2009 saw the addition of an iPod plug-in option.
2010: The 2010 Santa Fe saw a new engine lineup, featuring a 2.4L inline-four and a 3.5L V6, paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission for superior fuel economy.
How Does the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Compare to the Competition?
The Honda CR-V is, year after year, the gold standard in smaller crossover SUVs. This is as true in 2008 as it is almost any other year. The CR-V may cost a little more if you’re looking for a high-end trim with all the fixings, but the SUV pays off in the long run, generally outlasting the competition by well over 50,000 miles.
For 2008, the Chevrolet Equinox is comparable to the Santa Fe in more ways than not, delivering roughly the same performance at the same price, but it’s about five inches tighter at the hip, and a few suitcases short in the cargo department.
If you have the option of buying a 2008 Honda CR-V, that’s usually the smartest option. But, if you can find a Santa Fe in good condition at a good price, don’t pass it up.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes. I have had no issues in all the time that I have owned it. I try to follow the regular maintenance schedule and I am not a crazy driver and it has held up very well.
Yes, it is a very reliable car. We have grandchildren and travel often and it has performed well in town and on trips. We have plenty of room and it is comfortable.
Yes, it is a good vehicle and has had a few issues BC it is older but for the most part it is a very reliable and attractive car.
Yes it is. My only complaint is that I go through gas very quickly. I sometimes run out of gas before the end of the week and have to spend another $10 on top of the $30 I spent in the start of the week.
Yes it is but I got mines already pre used so it manages and it works fine for me. I like how tall it makes me feel because I do not like the feeling of being on the floor. It has a sunroof which is nice to have during the summer time and feeling the heat on your head and shoulders.
Yes it is a really good vehicle. It drives really well with good turning and good gas mileage. Four wheel drive
Yes I love it! Very spacious and does well on gas. The maintenance is really easy to deal with because car places always have their pieces in stock.
Hyundai Santa-Fe is only my second vehicle ever. I've had it for a year and a half with like 170,000 miles and I absolutely love it!!