The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe lasts around 250,000 miles with some minor battery drain and engine sensor issues reported. At $21,675 to $29,875, it’s a good value for a midsize SUV with a very luxurious cabin and a long warranty.
Is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Hyundai Santa Fe since it offers a lot of technology along with a nice interior. Owner reviews praise the long warranty, low ownership costs, along with the comfortable seats.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are more luxurious than other midsize SUVs, the seats are comfortable, and there’s decent cargo space for its size.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread problems on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. Avoid models form 2007–2014 which have a lot of engine problems. Models form 2015–2022 are more dependable choices.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is worse than other midsize SUVs from both of the four-cylinder engine choices.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Santa Fe is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, rearview camera, along with lane keep assist. Optional upgrades include blind spot monitoring as well as a head-up display.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 25 MPG, giving 470 miles of range from the 18.8 gallon tank. Gas costs are $37 cheaper than average, at $174 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is cheaper than many competitors while still offering a lot of technology, making it a good value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offers more luxurious features than other midsize SUVs in its price range, with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Hyundai Santa Fe at 4.5/5, praising the standard safety technology, but doesn’t like the lower fuel economy.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Santa Fe a 4.6/5, enjoying the quiet interior, but owners don’t like the weak standard engine.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe include excessive battery drain, hesitation while accelerating, along with the rear A/C not blowing. Overall, these problems are similar to some of the other midsize SUVs on the market, with average repair costs as it ages.
Excessive battery drain is the most widespread complaint from 2020 Santa Fe owners in the first 1,500 miles. There are a lot of electrical accessories in the Hyundai Santa Fe which sometimes continue to draw power while the vehicle is off, draining the battery. Diagnosing the source of the excessive battery drain costs around $150, and fixing it can cost $20 to $200.
Hesitation, while accelerating, is another problem mentioned by owners of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, at around 6,000 miles. Usually the source of the problem is with the mass air flow sensor, which becomes dirty and fails. Replacing the sensor costs roughly $200, depending on local labor rates. Often when it fails early in the ownership experience, it’s replaced for free under Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
The rear A/C not blowing has also shown up on some Santa Fe models in the first 1,000 miles. Usually the problem is simply caused by a disconnected piece of ductwork from the front A/C compressor to the rear vents. Usually this is repaired under warranty. If something damages the duct work out of warranty, it’s around $250 to fix.
There is one recall on the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, which is better than some other midsize SUVs its age. The recall is for the windshield glue failing. Hyundai will remove and reinstall the windshield on affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe can last around 250,000 miles, which is around 50,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other midsize SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $480 per year.
As a used 2020 Santa Fe reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the liftgate struts for $300, a variable valve timing control solenoid costing $400, along with the EGR valve which costs around $650.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is excellent in the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe with a standard 7-inch touchscreen which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen along with a premium Infinity stereo system.
Standard safety technology is fantastic, offering driver assistance features such as:
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control
- Driver attention Monitor
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Lane keep assist
- Rearview camera
Optional advanced features available on higher end models include:
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Blind spot monitoring
- Safe exist assist
- Rear parking sensors
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Blind spot camera
- Head-up display
Is the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other SUVs while still offering a nice interior. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $21,675 to $29,875, making it less than a Honda Pilot or Subaru Outback. When new, the price range was $28,380 to $39,198. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs, losing around 8% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Santa Fe?
There are three different models of the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered from the base SE model up to the more luxurious Limited. The Santa Fe comes standard with front-wheel drive and has optional all-wheel drive available.
SE is the entry-level model with:
- Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- Noise-Reducing Windshield
- Reclining Rear Seats
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
SEL is a step up, adding:
- Push-Button Start
- Leather Upholstery
- Heated Front Seats
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Hands-Free Liftgate
- Optional Panoramic Sunroof
Limited is the flagship model which has:
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Heated Rear Seats
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- 8-Inch Touchscreen Display
- Heated Steering Wheel
- 12-Speaker Infinity Sound System
What Engines Come In the Hyundai Santa Fe?
- The base engine is a relatively weak 2.4L 4-cylinder which makes 185 horsepower while getting up to 25 MPG. It comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
- An available upgrade is the stronger 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder, which produces 235 horsepower at up to 23 MPG. This engine also has an eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance is okay, taking around 8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is a comfortable midsize SUV, with supportive and well-cushioned seats that offer good comfort even on long drives. According to owner feedback, the Santa Fe’s interior is spacious and well-appointed, with plenty of room in both the front and rear seats. The second row offers ample legroom and headroom, making it a great choice for families with taller passengers.
In terms of ride comfort, the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a smooth and composed ride, even on rough roads. The suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and road imperfections, keeping the ride quiet and comfortable. Wind and road noise are well-controlled, and the cabin is generally quiet and serene.
How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Have?
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is a midsize SUV with a spacious interior that offers ample storage space for your gear. The cargo area behind the second-row seats has a total volume of 35.9 cubic feet, which is enough to accommodate a couple of large suitcases or several smaller bags, depending on how you pack.
If you need more space for longer items like skis or lumber, you can fold down the second-row seats to increase the cargo volume to 71.3 cubic feet. The rear seats fold flat, creating a large and uninterrupted cargo space that can accommodate bulky items with ease. Additionally, the rear seatbacks are adjustable, allowing you to choose between a balance of passenger and cargo space.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fourth generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe was launched for the 2019 model year.
2015: Hands-free power liftgate added, smoother suspension.
2016: GLS model renamed to the SE model
2017: Small exterior styling changes, standard 7-inch touchscreen stereo system, optional adaptive cruise control
2018: Limited model removed from the lineup.
2019: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new styling, engine choices, and technology.
2020: Improved blind-spot monitoring system, ultimate model removed from the lineup.
2021: Minor exterior styling changes, new Calligraphy model, upgraded engines available.
How Does the Hyundai Santa Fe Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe is a very good midsize SUV offering a lot of luxury for the money paired with one of the longest warranties in the industry, which helps it earn our recommendation.
The Hyundai Tucson is a smaller SUV from Hyundai which is around $5,000 less. Steering is more responsive in the Hyundai Tucson, while the Hyundai Santa Fe offers more passenger room. We recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe since the extra practicality is worth the cost.
The Kia Sorento is another midsize SUV which is around $2,000 less. Both the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe are built on the same platform. The Hyundai Santa Fe offers more luxury, while the Kia Sorento has a sportier driving experience. We recommend the Hyundai Santa Fe since the interior is nicer, although it’s worth test driving both to see which you prefer since they are so similar.