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Used 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Change Vehicle

The Santa Fe Sport is a stylish and well-equipped two-row mid-sized SUV comparable in size to the Chevrolet Equinox and Ford Edge. It has much to recommend it, as well as a couple of annoying shortcomings that prevent it from scoring higher than it does in our SUV Ratings. The Sport comes with lots of features for the money. It's also roomy, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and stylish.
Alerts
There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2017
Used 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
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Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit,
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
NA
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
NA
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
NA
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
NA
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and ESC standard. Side and head protection air bags standard.
Road Test

The Santa Fe Sport is a stylish and well-equipped two-row mid-sized SUV comparable in size to the Chevrolet Equinox and Ford Edge. It has much to recommend it, as well as a couple of annoying shortcomings that prevent it from scoring higher than it does in our SUV Ratings.

The Sport comes with lots of features for the money. It's also roomy, comfortable, fuel-efficient, and stylish. The ride is composed, and the cabin is relatively quiet. The base 190-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine provides ample motivation. Combining this with the very smooth and responsive six-speed automatic transmission returned a very good 23 mpg overall. The interior has a high-quality look and feel; it's not exactly luxurious but well made and nicely finished.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
AWD , Front
Warranty

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
4-door SUV
Transmissions Available
  • 6-speed Automatic
Engines Available
  • 2-liter 4 turbo (264 hp)
  • 2.4-liter 4 (190 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

What Owners Say

Fuel cap

"Check engine light illuminated due to bad fuel cap seal. Hyundai dealership from which we obtained this vehicle downplayed need for immediate attention "unless the light starts flashing." They were also not surprised by the problem. They had already changed several fuel caps for the same reason"

Anonymous, NY (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"When I am putting gas into my car, the nozzle keeps clicking off, even when I'm holding it"

Anonymous, CA (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Fuel pump

"Fll valve recall. Resulted in numerous returns to dealer because of gasoline smell. They opened and replaced access panel and o ring gaskets to fix. Took weeks for gas smell to subside"

Anonymous, FL (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

CD player

"When playing a CD, if you stop the engine then restart the CD defaukts to the beginning each time. CD should start where left off when engine was stopped. Replacement unit does the same. My opinion... Hyundai has cheapened up the electronics responsible for this feature"

Edward H., NJ (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Ultimate 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Speakers

"Rear Bass speaker failed within first month"

Anonymous, BC (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Engine computer

"Car almost stalls when turning corners. Almost completely loses power"

Anonymous, UT (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Ultimate 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Oil leaks

"Rear axle seal left side"

Anonymous, NY (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Ultimate 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Shocks or struts

"I was driving to discover that my entire rear passenger side wheel base was loose. The dealership where it was serviced 2 days prior must have done it and didn't tell me"

Anonymous, TX (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Ultimate 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Wheel bearings

"LF WHEEL BEARING BECAME NOISEY . WAS REPLACED@ ABOUT 8500 MI"

Anonymous, NC (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

What Owners Say

Alternator

"There was a recall on a loose bolt on the Alternator, I took it in on the 7200 mileage and they fixed it. I did not even know about it until I made the online appointment"

Robert C., MN (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Ultimate 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)
Starter

"A few months buying the car, it developed an intermittent issue where both the push button start and the remote start would not work at all. After a period of waiting the car would be able to start again. The time to wait was never the same and it was very unpredictable on when it would decide not to start"

Derek S., AB (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

What Owners Say

"Engine was making a whirring sound at 9998 miles starting around 1500 rpm. Dealer says the engine has an internal failure and currently are waiting for a replacement engine"

William K., NC (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

What Owners Say

Thermostat

"In winter the engine temp dropped then came back up. This happened a few times but the dealer couldn't find the problem They made a note of it for the future"

Robert K., IL (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Ultimate 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

What Owners Say

Transmission computer

"While Making a turn the car will not accelerate . The traction control light comes on. Dealer unable to repair"

Anonymous, NJ (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Exterior lights (other than headlights)

"Led running lights, one led not working when delivered. Module replaced"

Anonymous, NY (2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T 2.0-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

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