2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Review
Price Estimate: $1,049 - $1,690





+42
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
- The 3.5-liter V6 is thirsty at the pump, soft suspension limits handling ability, no side curtain airbags.
What’s new
A new Limited trim level has been added, featuring leather seating, automatic climate control and a trip computer. The GLS gets an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Limited models can be equipped with an all-black monochromatic color scheme.
Edmunds says
The 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a consumer-friendly blend of space, comfort, features, performance and value that make it a compact SUV worth considering.
For sale near Fox River Grove, IL
19 listings
- Photos not available
- 175,000 miles
- No accidents, 5 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Cousin's Auto Sales (281 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 2500lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Springfield, OH
Get ready to hit the road in style with this sleek 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe in a vibrant blue hue. With all the bells and whistles you could ask for, thi...
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:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/21 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KM8SC73D86U035003
Stock: 035003
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 11-30-2023 - 159,346 miles
- No accidents, 4 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Vogler Ford Lincoln (313 mi away)
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 2500lb Towing Capaci...
- Audio and cruise con...
Close
Located in Carbondale, IL
Sensibility and practicality define the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe! It just arrived on our lot, and surely won't be here long! Top features include front b...
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: Yes
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (17 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KM8SC13D06U101833
Stock: 25B74B
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-30-2025
Vehicle overview
Introduced for the 2001 model year, the Hyundai Santa Fe cuts to the heart of what most American SUV buyers really want -- the ride and handling characteristics of a car melded with the styling and tall seating position of a truck. At the same time, it's big on value. While priced to match compact competitors like the Tribute and RAV4, the Santa Fe is based on Hyundai's previous-generation Sonata sedan platform, which means that it's technically a midsize SUV and accordingly offers more room for passengers and cargo.
Like other Hyundai vehicles, this one is packed with desirable standard features and comes with a strong standard warranty. And the Santa Fe's crash test scores have generally been very good. The Sante Fe is now in the sixth year of its model cycle, but Hyundai has made continual improvements over the years to keep it competitive among budget SUVs. Most significant among these was the arrival of a 3.5-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic transmission, a combination that vastly improved its acceleration. When equipped with all-wheel drive, this Hyundai SUV can handle well-groomed dirt roads, but it's not a serious off-roader like the Xterra or Sorento. However, we would certainly recommend the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe to the general consumer looking for a good deal on a family vehicle that doesn't have any serious faults.
Performance & mpg
The GLS model comes standard with a 2.7-liter V6 rated at 170 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque; it's paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Optional on the GLS and standard on the Limited is a 3.5-liter V6 good for 200 hp and 219 lb-ft of torque. This engine comes with a five-speed automatic. Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models are available on this Hyundai SUV. Although the smaller V6 is rated for up to 26 mpg on the highway, the 3.5-liter turns in poor fuel numbers for a small SUV application -- just 16-17 mpg in the city and 21-22 on the highway.
Safety
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control and side airbags (for front occupants) are standard on all models. In government crash tests, the Hyundai Santa Fe received four out of five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts and five stars for the front passenger. Side-impact testing resulted in a five-star rating for front- and rear-passenger protection. In frontal-offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Santa Fe received a "Good" rating (the highest possible); in IIHS side-impact testing, it earned an "Acceptable" rating (the second highest).
Driving
The 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe has just what most family-oriented buyers want: adequate power and a smooth, quiet ride. Its handling capabilities provoke little excitement but unless you're a driving enthusiast, you probably won't mind the soft setup. If you opt for an AWD Sante Fe, you'll have a bargain-priced, all-weather family vehicle.
Interior
Inside, the Hyundai Santa Fe offers reasonable accommodations for five and a 29.4-cubic-foot cargo bay; fold down the 60/40-split rear seats, and you get a generous 78 cubes. The cabin boasts a sharp two-tone color scheme and feels high in quality, as Hyundai has fitted it with low-gloss plastics and solid switchgear. The seats are comfortable, but legroom can be a bit tight for adults in back, and unlike the Equinox and CR-V, the Santa Fe doesn't offer fore/aft adjustment for its rear bench.
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe models
The four-door Hyundai Santa Fe is sold in GLS and Limited trims. Standard equipment on the GLS includes side airbags; air conditioning; power windows, mirrors and locks; a CD player; 16-inch alloy wheels; a full-size spare tire; an auto-dimming rearview mirror; and foglights. Options on the GLS include a power sunroof and a Monsoon sound system with an in-dash CD changer. The Monsoon stereo comes standard on the high-line Limited, along with automatic climate control, a power driver seat, leather upholstery, heated seats and a trip computer.
Compare 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

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Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A) 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 $3.42 per gallon for regular unleaded in Illinois.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
$217/mo for Santa Fe GLS
Santa Fe GLS
vs
$189/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Hyundai Santa Fe Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(71%)
4(23%)
3(0%)
2(4%)
1(2%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Best of the best
5 out of 5 starsRalph, 05/01/2009
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
We switched from Ford in 2002 and bought our first Santa Fe. Since then we have owned three and have loved every one. Only expenses have been regular maintenance and tires. Warranty has never been a problem with our dealer and all work has been done in a timely manner. I have also owned an Accent and now have an Elantra and would recommend any of them. Fuel economy on the Santa fe is 24 … to 27 on the road at freeway speeds. We have 67000 miles on it and never had any problems.
Great Reliable SUV
4.75 out of 5 starsnyl777, 07/30/2011
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
Driven 100000 plus miles on it already and planning to drive another 100000 on it for another 5 years. It drives good in Michigan road in winter on a virgin snow of up to 4 inches.
My second Hyundai
5 out of 5 starsPatsy, 06/14/2006
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
I traded my 2000 Elantra in for the Santa Fe. I wanted a safer vehicle and I know the Santa Fe has a 4 star crash test rating. It handles well in traffic and seems to get good gas mileage. I have only used one tank of gas in two weeks, but my commute is only 14 miles per day. If you are tall you may have to duck to get in but it seems like there is a lot of room once you are inside. … It is a very quiet and comfortable ride. It seems like there are no big blind spots when driving. The a/c cools the vehicle down in a hurry too. I also like the cup holders and little holder I can put my cell phone in. Much more luxurious than my Elantra was.
One of the best in it's class
4.88 out of 5 starsbahappy12, 08/19/2006
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 4A)
The Hyundai Santa Fe is second best in its class according to consumer reports magazine. It is rated second, right behind Honda CR-V. It is a little more roomy than the CR-V and better warranty overall. CR-V was also a little more expensive. Years ago, Hyundai was not rated very good, but they have made drastic improvements over the past few years.
2006 Santa Fe Highlights
GLS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,695 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $217/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 30.5 cu.ft. |
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 RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic 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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