Used Hyundai Santa Fe 2018-2024 review
Large, practical and good value, a Hyundai Santa Fe is a great alternative to the premium front-runners.
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What's the used Hyundai SANTA FE like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Mark Pearson & George Hill
Updated: 24 August 2026
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What's the used Hyundai SANTA FE like?
The Hyundai Santa Fe is aimed at those wanting a large SUV that has seven seats yet a reasonable price tag.
This fourth-generation model has a capacious interior, handsome exterior look and some upgraded tech compared with the previous-generation 2012-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Overview
Large, practical and good value, a used Hyundai Santa Fe is an affordable alternative to the usual premium front-runners.
Pros
- Huge boot
- Seven-seat practicality
- Well equipped
Cons
- Jiggly ride
- Heavy-ish steering
- Interior quality iffy in places
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Hyundai SANTA FE
2.0 CRTD 5dr
£595
Hyundai SANTA FE
2.2 CRTD CDX 4WD Euro 3 5dr (7 seat)
£1,000
Hyundai SANTA FE
2.2 CRDi Style Auto 4WD Euro 5 5dr (7 seat)
£1,295
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRDi Premium 4WD Euro 5 5dr (5 seat)
£1,350
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRTD CDX 4WD Euro 3 5dr (5 seat)
£1,595
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRDi Style 4WD Euro 5 5dr (7 seat)
£1,750
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRDi Style 4WD Euro 5 5dr (5 seat)
£1,795
Hyundai SANTA FE
2.2 CRDi Style Auto 4WD Euro 5 5dr (5 seat)
£1,850
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRDi Premium 4WD Euro 5 5dr (5 seat)
£1,990
See all available cars
See used cars for sale
Engines and performance: There was only one engine option when it arrived back in 2018: a 197bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel that received subtle upgrades over the previous-gen car in order to make it more efficient. With this engine, there is the option of front or four-wheel drive and a choice between a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
For the 2021 model year, Hyundai updated the Santa Fe with revised exterior styling and two new engine options: a regular 'self-charging' hybrid (HEV) and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Both utilise 1.6-litre petrol engines, with the HEV having a total power output of 227bhp and the PHEV 261bhp.
Ride and handling: On the road, the Santa Fe feels like a large and relatively heavy car, despite the healthy low-down torque of its diesel engine. There’s sometimes an annoying delay between putting your foot down and the car actually responding, especially away from a standstill after the stop/start system has cut the engine’s power, but on the whole it’s a tidy enough performer.
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It handles corners fairly well, too, though of course it’s no sports car. The steering is rather heavy, but there’s a good amount of grip available and the car's behaviour is predictable in most situations.
Around town, its ride can feel slightly agitated, though, and can be caught out by large potholes and ruts, although it does settle down at speed.
Interior and practicality: Inside, the Santa Fe has a good driving position, with plenty of adjustment in the steering wheel and seat. All versions come with full lumbar adjustment. The dashboard is logically laid out with clearly marked, well-spaced buttons and dials, making it really easy to use – even when you’re driving.
Visibility is good, especially to the front and sides, while the rear view is hampered slightly by the thick pillars, although all versions come with a reversing camera and parking sensors as standard.
Where the Santa Fe really scores is in interior space. The front is roomy and airy, with plenty of storage bins and spaces for odds and ends. The second-row seats are wonderfully spacious, too, with room for three abreast, while the two rearmost seats are big enough for moderate-sized adults for shorter journeys, and older children won’t complain. It’s easy to fold away or pull up those third-row seats, too, and the boot space left when they're down is vast.
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Fold the second-row seats down as well and you could house a baby elephant in there without too much trouble. The second-row seats slide back and forth and recline, so the whole Santa Fe experience is one of flexibility and immense practicality.
Trims and equipment: On pre-facelift cars, there are three trim levels: SE, Premium and Premium SE. Entry-level SE trim gets you a fair amount of kit, including 17in alloy wheels, a 7.0in infotainment touchscreen, automatic lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control and cruise control.
Mid-level Premium trim adds an 8.0in touchscreen with sat-nav, heated seats (front and back), a heated steering wheel and leather upholstery. Meanwhile, range-topping Premium SE adds such niceties as ventilated front seats and a panoramic roof.
On facelift cars, the trim levels were revised to Premium and Ultimate. Entry-level Premium is really well equipped and includes LED headlights, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, a 10.25in touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, a 10-speaker Krell sound system, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.
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Ultimate trim adds even more kit, including ventilated front seats, a head-up display, a 360-degree reversing camera and a panoramic glass sunroof.
Facelift: The Santa Fe 2021 was given a facelift in 2021, which introduced a new grille design, T-shaped LED daytime running lights, a heavily revised floating centre console (with a push-button gear selector) and a larger 10.25in touchscreen. The diesel engine was also dropped from the line-up, with hybrid and PHEV options being the main engine options. As mentioned previously, the trim levels were revised, too.
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"Previous Santa Fes never really did it for me, but this one seems so much more relaxed." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
Interested in buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.
Tips & Advice
How to test drive a car
There’s no substitute for a test drive in a new car. Take it on a variety of roads and surfaces to ensure it measures up.
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
What used Hyundai SANTA FE will I get for my budget?
You’ll need around £14,000 to get behind the wheel of the fourth-generation Santa Fe. For the money, expect a 2018 or 2019 example with high-mileage in a variety of trim levels. Spend £16,000 or more and you should be able to find an early car with more reasonable mileage.
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The updated 2021 Santa Fe costs a bit more, though largely in hybrid guise and for upwards of £20,000. Used PHEVs go for around £25,000 or more. For a later 2024 Santa Fe, have upwards of £29,000 to spend.
Check the value of a used Hyundai Santa Fe with What Car? Valuations
Find a used Hyundai Santa Fe for sale here
How much does cost to run a Hyundai SANTA FE?
MPG
The four-wheel-drive manual diesel model has a combined WLTP fuel economy figure of 41.5mpg, with the automatic dropping this to 39.8mpg. However, the larger wheels of Premium SE trim drop this to 38.7mpg.
For HEV models, 44.1mpg is the official average, whereas PHEV Santa Fe cars quote a rather unrealistic 173.7mpg. That said, although you're unlikely to return the PHEV's official average, it is still economical and cheap to run.
Road tax (VED)
All fourth-gen Santa Fes are registered after April 2017, so road tax will be £200 per year. For models costing more than £40,000 from new, owners will have to pay a £440-per-year supplement in years two to six on top of the standard rate for the vehicle.
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Servicing and insurance
Insurance costs are reasonable on the Santa Fe, and servicing plans that can help to pre-plan and spread costs are available as the car gets older.
Warranty
From new, every Santa Fe comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty that's transferable between owners. That’s better than what most rivals offer, with the exception of Kia, which covers you for up to seven years and 100,000 miles. While Toyota offers a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty, this is only if you service the car annually at an authorised Toyota dealer. Otherwise it has a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty.
Reliability
The Hyundai Santa Fe is recognised for its robust reliability, particularly among PHEV owners, according to our annual What Car? Reliability Survey.
The hybrid system, combining electric and petrol power, has been noted for its dependable operation, resulting in minimal dealership visits.
When services are needed, the majority of feedback regarding dealer interactions is positive, with many praising the responsiveness and helpfulness of staff. Most repairs are completed swiftly and typically under warranty, enhancing owner satisfaction. However, a small group of owners have experienced longer waits for parts and appointments, leading to some frustration.
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Discover more about the used Hyundai Santa Fe reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.
Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
Our recommendations
Which used Hyundai SANTA FE should I buy?
Engine
If you have the money, by all means take a good look at what HEV and PHEV examples are out there. Prices start higher than the diesels, but if you can afford it, it's worth it for the extra refinement and potential fuel savings.
However, the earlier 2.2-litre diesel cars are much more common (and available for much lower prices).
Specification
On pre-facelift models, SE has all you need, but you're more likely to find Premium or Premium SE models on forecourts, which are better equipped. Likewise, on facelift examples of the Santa Fe, top-spec Ultimate cars are more widespread than entry-level Premium models. Used prices for these are similar, too, making Ultimate our trim of choice.
Our favourite Hyundai Santa Fe: 1.6h T-GDi Ultimate
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Tips & Advice
Which smartphone integration should I have?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Hyundai SANTA FE?
The Kia Sorento is a close sibling of the Santa Fe. Underneath its butch bodywork is a strong 2.2 diesel, just like the Hyundai, and it seats seven in relative comfort. It’s spacious and practical, and if it’s not brilliant to drive, it is at least competent.
The Skoda Kodiaq is the firm’s first seven-seat car, and it’s spectacularly good in some areas. It’s good to drive, cheaper to run than most of the competition and comes with a solidly built and classy-feeling interior.
Interested in buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.
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How reliable is the Hyundai Santa Fe ?
Reliability rating: 100%
Hyundai Santa Fe
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Hyundai SANTA FE
2.0 CRTD 5dr
£595
Hyundai SANTA FE
2.2 CRTD CDX 4WD Euro 3 5dr (7 seat)
£1,000
Hyundai SANTA FE
2.2 CRDi Style Auto 4WD Euro 5 5dr (7 seat)
£1,295
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRDi Premium 4WD Euro 5 5dr (5 seat)
£1,350
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRTD CDX 4WD Euro 3 5dr (5 seat)
£1,595
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRDi Style 4WD Euro 5 5dr (7 seat)
£1,750
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRDi Style 4WD Euro 5 5dr (5 seat)
£1,795
Hyundai SANTA FE
2.2 CRDi Style Auto 4WD Euro 5 5dr (5 seat)
£1,850
Hyundai Santa Fe
2.2 CRDi Premium 4WD Euro 5 5dr (5 seat)
£1,990
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
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