2009 Hyundai Santa Fe

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Photos & Videos

Performance - What the Auto Press Says

The Santa Fe provides acceptable performance, but it doesn't stand out. For 2009, the SE and Limited models get cross rails and a standard trailer prep that allows them to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

• "Good ride and handling; overall driving experience is class competitive; eager acceleration with the V-6." -- Car and Driver
• "Pleasant and competent, if less sporty, precise, or car-like than the Nissan Murano or Honda Pilot. The tight turning radius aids close-quarters maneuvering." -- Consumer Guide
• "Smaller crossover SUVs like the Mazda CX-7 and Mitsubishi Outlander are sportier and more rewarding to drive hard, though the Santa Fe's handling is certainly composed and can actually be fun at times. The trade-off is that the ride can be very busy on the highway on models with the larger wheels. During normal driving, the brake pedal feels about right, but can get soft during hard braking." -- Edmunds

Acceleration and Power

The 2009 Santa Fe comes with either a 2.7-liter V6 engine with a five-speed manual transmission, or a 3.3-liter V6 with five-speed automatic transmission. The smaller engine makes 185 horsepower and 183 pound-feet of torque, while the larger V6 makes 242 horsepower and 226 pound-feet of torque. Most reviewers find that the bigger engine suits the weight of the SUV better than the 2.7-liter engine. According to the EPA, the base 2WD model with the smaller engine achieves 17/24 mpg city/highway.

• "No manual-transmission or AWD models have been made available for testing. The GLS with the 2.7-liter V6 is slow to build speed and loses steam going up moderate grades. The 3.3-liter V6 gives other models adequate pep and is the better all-around choice. In Consumer Guide testing, a 2WD Limited did 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds." -- Consumer Guide
• "A slightly sluggish 2.7-liter, 185-hp V6 inhabits the GLS. Paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, its 17/24 mpg delights some owners and disappoints others. The much peppier 3.5-liter V6 puts out 242 hp with the same fuel economy numbers." -- Car Gurus
• "The 3.3 V6 provides lively acceleration in the city and good passing on highways, with a responsive automatic transmission. But the Santa Fe is appreciably slower with the smaller V6 because it's fairly heavy at 3,727 to 3,945 pounds." -- MSN
• "The Shiftronic automatic transmission responds quickly to manual gear selections making driving on curvy roads an almost sporty experience." -- Kelley Blue Book

Handling and Braking

One of the major improvements in the recently redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe is the handling, which most find both smooth and comfortable.

• "Small bumps are smothered well, regardless of tire size. Large bumps induce uncomfortable bounce and sideways rocking, plus some minor vibration through the floor and steering column." -- Consumer Guide
• "[A]s is the trend in SUVs and crossovers, the Santa Fe is built using unibody construction for a car-like ride and more responsive handling. The benefit for consumers, of course, is refinement. Bumps and road blemishes are isolated from the cabin by the frame and suspension, dissipating jolts so that passengers remain comfortable." -- Autobytel
• "The all-new unibody chassis has been specifically tuned for better on-road handling, and our test drive bore that out. Better balance from the front- and all-wheel-drive models is a significant improvement over the previous gen, due in large part to a crisper steering response." -- Motor Trend
• "The Hyundai Santa Fe is a unibody SUV made for tackling the urban jungle, not braving the actual jungle." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Braking is a little on the long side however, with emergency stops from 60 averaging 135 feet." -- Motor Week