Santa Fe owners - a few questions

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wratterus

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#272877 22-Jul-2020 08:58

Hi all, we're looking at changing from a ute + car to one SUV, and after narrowing things down to either a Pajero, Prado or Santa Fe, we're rather liking the look of the Sante Fe.

Looking at a 2014 - 2018 Sante Fe Elite Diesel, right now a low km example is a little out of the price range, but not by much. We could just sneak a higher KM one (around 150,000) in the current price range for example.

Just after anyone's thoughts on them - any DPF issues? Unusual servicing costs? Would buying a slightly higher km one be a silly option?

From all the looking I've done, reviews/comments are almost totally positive, which to be honest is unusual these days.

Keen to hear anyone's thoughts or other recommendations. Thanks!

cshwone

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#2526883 22-Jul-2020 09:12

I would add the Kia Sorento to your list.

http://www.nzautocar.co.nz/car-reviews-app/kia-sorento-long-term-review-report-three

From the same stable as the Santa Fe. I run a Sportage, the Sorento's little brother, and it's the most reliable and practical car I have ever owned

BlueShift

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#2526907 22-Jul-2020 10:03

I have the Santa Fe's little brother - the 2011 IX35 diesel elite. I recommend it, we've done a lot of kms in it and its been nothing but reliable. It drives well, tows without a problem, plenty of room for tall & wide people. Its done over 200,000 kms now and apart from regular servicing, we haven't had to do anything. The only thing I can find to niggle about it is the lack of Bluetooth in the stereo, but you're looking at newer models, so that's probably not an issue.

Loismustdye

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Trusted

#2526917 22-Jul-2020 10:29

We purchased my parents low km 2015 elite last year, love it.

One nitpick though is for the rear set of sets and access, would be far more user friendly if the middle row lifted up from the bottom rear of the seat as well to lift completely oput of the way to get in.

As someone mentined have a look at a Sorrento, come out of the same factory as Hyundai and ?might be slightly bigger inside.

My parents replaced with a new ssyangyong RExton for the added towing power, which if I was in the market for a new vehicle this would be my choice, very well spec'd for the price and has the aforementioned liftaway middle seats.

But yeah, the santé fe is a great car, we've got the elite spec model with full leather rardy rar, and certainly recommend it.

JimmyC

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#2527092 22-Jul-2020 13:37

Toyota Highlander? It's not a diesel but another super reliable 7 seat SUV. Had ours 6 years, 130k, not a single issue.

wratterus

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#2527097 22-Jul-2020 13:45

Did consider the highlander, lot of car for the money, but not a big fan of the petrol V6. What sort of economy do you get in yours?

JimmyC

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#2527156 22-Jul-2020 14:08

wratterus:

Did consider the highlander, lot of car for the money, but not a big fan of the petrol V6. What sort of economy do you get in yours?

Average 9.6L / 100k's the last 4000k's according to the onboard comp. I drive it more like a limo to get those figures, knowing that if I drive it like a sports car I'll be in for some pain at the pump for sure. The later models with 8 speed AT are better still.

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Grunta47

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#2527570 23-Jul-2020 08:54

The makeup of your 3 vehicles are interesting, as you have 2 4x4's and one SUV.

I haven't owned a Pajero, but people I know who have really liked them.

Prado was great....a big manly vehicle.....but a bit clunky on the road and expensive to run/maintain. In the top 3 of my favorite vehicles.

Have a Sante Fe at the moment and really like it. Its just that bit smaller than a Highlander or CX9, so its easier around town/parking. Relatively cheap to run but maintenance is a bit higher ($450-500 per 10k/km).

I dont think you should rule out the Highlander though. It would be fairly close to my favorite car. Unfortunately it got crashed into (written off), borrowed a Corolla for a few months and that swayed me to the smaller Santa Fe.

Running costs are much the same for Santa Fe and Highlander. I did a comparison (2018) with a number of vehicles and the Highlander was only $150 more per year once kms, maintenance and RUC's accounted for. With the price increase in RUCs the Santa Fe is now more expensive to run yearly, but not by much so wouldn't worry too much about it.

Good luck, always fun buying a new toy :-)

wratterus

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#2527573 23-Jul-2020 09:06

Thanks Grunta, yes we were originally looking at a 'proper' 4WD, which I still like the idea of, but thinking about the number of times it will actually get used properly, vs the wife having to drive it around town & park it etc has swayed us toward a smaller SUV.

Sounds like we had better have a proper look at a Highlander though.

Thanks everyone, this is exactly the sort of info we're after.

wratterus

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#2699107 28-Apr-2021 09:41

Update to this thread - we bought a 2016 Santa Fe DMII Limited Diesel. Only had it a week or so but so far absolutely love it. The trim/spec level on the limited is pretty outstanding.