Hyundai Santa Fe. 4x4

[Campbell]

Seems that £5k can buy a premium spec, good condition towing vehicle. Any test pilots out there?

 

[fiatf130]

What age?

 

[Campbell]

What age?

2006 to 2011

 

[fiatf130]

I have 2014 one. No complaints. Think it's the same engine as the older ones. 7 seats have self levelling rear suspension so don't squat with a heavy load on which is good. Mines 2.5 ton tow rating which isn't bad.

 

[HarryB97]

When I did my trailer test and training I used one. It’s average and does what it says on the tin, it’s no disco though.

 

[fiatf130]

When I did my trailer test and training I used one. It’s average and does what it says on the tin, it’s no disco though.

Yes no disco but not price tag to match either! Well specced for reasonable price, better reliability, cheaper tax, better fuel economy etc. If you don't need to tow more than 2.5 tons why would you need a disco?

 

[hally]

Are they a similar vehicle to the Kia Sorento as we had one of those for a few years , very reliable but that’s the only compliment I would give it.

 

[jamesy]

Bought a cheap 53 plate Santa Fe as farm run about. Loved it but the head gasket went on it. Have a swb shogun now which is more rugged but the Santa Fe was a nice nimble thing on or off road

 

[farmerdan7618]

Engine might not be your friend, balance shaft belt went on my wife's and smashed the engine. Common problem apparently, this was a 2003 version.
Nice to drive though.

 

[Yale]

When I did my trailer test and training I used one. It’s average and does what it says on the tin, it’s no disco though.

Yes no Disco,probably more reliable.

 

[kiwi pom]

My wife's had a few as a work vehicle, they have got steadily better with each model upgrade to the stage where the latest ones are a good vehicle, although badge snobs may not agree.
No real problems with any of them but the oldest one - 2007 I think- It did have random things like door locks failing after 150,000 K's, the newer ones are much better in my opinion.
Never really did any towing with it.

 

[Campbell]

2500kg towing will be enough, but I see the auto's are lower rated for towing than the manuals. There are plenty to choose from after a few hours searching t'internet. New models have five year unlimited mileage warranty....

 

[Robt]

Sure you don’t mean a terracan?

 

[Kildare]

Prefer a Mercedes or bmwx5

 

[Directdebit]

Got a 2016 one here,comes with a good tool kit,which comes in handy if you need to stop and sort a land rover!!!

 

[Campbell]

Santa Fe 2006 to 2012.

 

[kiwi pom]

Prefer a Mercedes or bmwx5

Don't prefer the price of such things though.

Got a 2016 one here,comes with a good tool kit,which comes in handy if you need to stop and sort a land rover!!!

I'm always amazed at the list of problems people seem to have with them, then the finish by saying "great vehicle though"
Unreliable, expensive junk like that doesn't work round here.

 

[jamesy]

Wouldn’t dream of having an x5 as farm truck. We’ve one as family car (53plate) and is fine for that but if I used it on farm it’d be ruined in no time

 

[Robert]

I've had a 2010 manual for 6 years and its just ground to a halt requiring a whole new fuel system at ~ 80,000 miles (uneconomic repair). Think i've been unlucky ref the engine looking at some high mileage examples. Elsewhere it hasn't cost a lot to run and is comfy but i would say running between yards on farm tracks has left it very "rattlely" but kept passing its MOT no bother. Constant short journeys off road = 25mpg on computer. Can tow 2.5 tonne though need well balanced trailer so as not to pull it right down at the back without fettling the suspension. Interesting to hear about the self levelling rear suspension above on newer ones. I'm probably moving to a pick up, otherwise as someone else commented: if you don't need to tow more than 2.5t its definitely worth a look.....

 

[Kildare]

Wouldn’t dream of having an x5 as farm truck. We’ve one as family car (53plate) and is fine for that but if I used it on farm it’d be ruined in no time

Would a older one not be good enough for the farm. Great power for towing. I see lots of 12 year old x5 and ml in use. There used to be loads of kia and hundai sold here but you would seldom see one older than 11 years old on the road.