2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Review
Price Estimate: $1,044 - $1,693





+35
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Reasonable price, strong warranty, roomy interior, long list of standard features, solid construction, good crash test scores.
Cons
- Underpowered with base engine, soft suspension limits handling ability.
What’s new
The 3.5-liter V6 is now standard on all LX models and optional for the GLS.
Edmunds says
Odd design elements aside, the Santa Fe offers a consumer-friendly blend of space, comfort, features, performance and value that make it a compact SUV worth considering.
For sale nearby
23 listings
- 218,000 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Sparks Auto Sales Etc (81 mi away)
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 2500lb Towing Capaci...
- Audio and cruise con...
Close
Located in Alexis, NC
Just arrived, 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.7L V6. This SUV runs strong and everything works as it should. State inspected and not a drop underneath. Like...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
20 Combined MPG (18 City/24 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KM8SC13D34U585834
Stock: 585834
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-05-2025- 185,725 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- A & J Used Cars (108 mi away)
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 2500lb Towing Capaci...
- Audio and cruise con...
Close
Located in Concord, NC
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (15 City/20 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KM8SC13E94U721280
Stock: 721280
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-17-2025
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.73 per gallon for regular unleaded in South Carolina.
Monthly estimates based on costs in South Carolina
$161/mo for Santa Fe Base
Santa Fe Base
vs
$158/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(81%)
4(13%)
3(3%)
2(2%)
1(1%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
160,000 miles and going strong
5 out of 5 starsA. Non, 11/25/2015
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe LX Fwd 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
This is the first car I have owned since brand new that has even come close to having over 150,000 miles on it and still runs. To date, other than preventative maintenance and normal wear and tear, I've had the following problems: At 40k miles, a torn CV joint boot (warranty repair); At 60k miles the timing belt required replacement per scheduled maintenance ($600 @ dealership, including … water pump and belt tensioner as precautionary replacements); At 130k miles replaced the timing belt, water pump and tensioner again a little late to schedule ($300 by family mechanic); At 152,000 miles the switch for the cruise control broke ($30 / 15 minute repair by myself); At 155,000 miles the alternator war replaced (2 hours, $275 parts/labor at a local shop). When you think about it, the alternator was really wear and tear as they do not last forever. And that's it. 160k miles and about $300 worth of repairs, $30 if you exclude the alternator.
I maintain it religiously and take care of little things before they become big things. We've gotten our money's worth from this vehicle and then some. We don't off-road it or mistreat it, but it is not pampered by any means.
Reliable, trouble free so far!
4.88 out of 5 starsmadmaxooohhh, 02/04/2013
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
I just turned 95,000 miles on my 2004 Santa Fe.
No problems so far except normal maintenance:
windshield wiper blades every 2 years, tires every 4 years-usually worn out by then, change oil every 6 months or 6-7000 miles for conventional or 7-10000 miles on synthetic.
I changed the transmission oil twice (drain and fill) at 40k miles, and again at 80k miles).
Oh, I changed both front … bulbs after one of the bulbs burned out at around 70k miles. Replaced front and rear brakes and rotors at 85k miles.
I will do the timing belt sometime soon. No problems! Best car I have owned so far.
I miss my santa fe
4.38 out of 5 starsjohnpa2006, 08/10/2012
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Built solid, I loved my Santa Fe.
engine purred like a kitten from mile zero all the way up to 142000 miles when I traded it in.
Bought in 2004, traded in 2008
I still regret trading it in to this day.
So many practical use reasons to own a Santa Fe.
Lived to tell about it!!!
5 out of 5 starsJana, 10/09/2008
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS AWD 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Recently my daughter and I were in an accident with my 2004 Santa Fe which I was the driver my daughter the passenger. 3 vehicles were involved all of which were totaled off. The driver of the vehicle which hit us lost control and landed on my Santa Fe and rolled off, literally tearing open the drivers side and pushing us into another vehicle which stopped us from rolling into … traffic.The accident reconstruction police team visited us at the hospital at which time they told us that had we been in any other vehicle the chances of the accident being fatal would have been much higher as the Santa Fe is designed to crumble around us in an accident and has the best accident ratings.Thank you Hyundai!
2004 Santa Fe Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $17,999 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $161/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 30.5 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Santa Fe include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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