[alok1008]

Originally Posted by acetrump

Hi Rogercharlie. Have been following this thread for ownership review of the Santa fe. Am thinking of buying one by trading off my ford endeavour 4x4. My concern however is the fuel efficiency city and highway. Could you share the FE figures. Thanks.

Hi. I have driven about 3000 kms. And getting an average of 12-13 already.

Happy with that esp. as a Fortuner gives around 9.

The car is great. Engine is really refined. Acceleration is nice, prompt, linear and quite exhilarating.

Plastic quality is nice too. Interiors spacious n comfortable.

My grouse will be only the screen size of the music system is way too small and a sun roof would had been nice and co driver seat is really sunk in.

But my real grouse is with the steering. It seems very tentative n does not exude a lot of confidence. Especially at lower speeds. I could use a few words like sluggish, inaccurate and inconsistent to express my observation.

Seems like the consistency of being hard and soft varies. So even if you are driving in the 'sports' mode, it becomes softer or harder at it's own free will. Its very disconcerting as when you are turning using a uniform amount of effort, the steering suddenly, for a split second, becomes softer so you feel you are turning more than you intended.

I have got it checkedup but difficult to explain to them. But clearly, the steering is not consistent.

Will take it again to a bigger service centre and explain to a senior mecanic. Will also drive a couple of more Santa Fes' to see if its only with my piece or a more inherent issue.

Shall keep you all posted.

[gungax]

Hi alok1008, I was getting 13 only with “Eco” mode on. Now I get 10 in city.
+1 on the steering issue. Brought it up with the Santa Fe specialist in Hyderabad. He could not give a solution for it. On highways it gets difficult to stay within the marked lanes. Also, on turns, it takes some work on the steering to keep the car on the line.
Internationally also this is the main problem with the car.

[akadam]

Originally Posted by gungax

Hi alok1008, I was getting 13 only with “Eco” mode on. Now I get 10 in city.
+1 on the steering issue. Brought it up with the Santa Fe specialist in Hyderabad. He could not give a solution for it. On highways it gets difficult to stay within the marked lanes. Also, on turns, it takes some work on the steering to keep the car on the line.
Internationally also this is the main problem with the car.

Great to hear ownership feedback (Thank you!)
I am very concerned with the steering issue (I will be ready to book one in 3-4 months). I know that a lot of people (internationally) had reported that the Elantra had a steering issue with pulling consistently to the left or right (link below).
I would like to know if the folks reporting the Santa Fe steering issue are experiencing something similar (if not, could you keep an eye out for this and let us know please?)

Google search results for Elantra steering issue: https://www.google.co.in/search?q=hy...sm=93&ie=UTF-8

[alok1008]

Hi Gungax. Actually my vehicle moves just fine on high speeds. And straight line is also not an issue.

Its in lower speeds. Best way to explain it would be to say that there is 'play' on the steering. That for a split second while turning, there is a disconnect between the steering n the wheel. There is a lag.

But my understanding is that such play is not mechanically possible on electronic or hydraulic steering systems. So i have no clue.

Am going to workshop tomorrow. Will share results.

Hope its rectified else, this is so disconcerting that i Will have to seriously consider selling it.

[gungax]

Originally Posted by alok1008

Hi Gungax. Actually my vehicle moves just fine on high speeds. And straight line is also not an issue.
Its in lower speeds. Best way to explain it would be to say that there is 'play' on the steering. That for a split second while turning, there is a disconnect between the steering n the wheel. There is a lag.
But my understanding is that such play is not mechanically possible on electronic or hydraulic steering systems. So i have no clue.

Just took the car out for a spin to see if my car has the same issue. If it does, then it is too small for me to notice.

Originally Posted by akadam

Great to hear ownership feedback (Thank you!)
I am very concerned with the steering issue (I will be ready to book one in 3-4 months). I know that a lot of people (internationally) had reported that the Elantra had a steering issue with pulling consistently to the left or right (link below).
I would like to know if the folks reporting the Santa Fe steering issue are experiencing something similar (if not, could you keep an eye out for this and let us know please?)

Hyundai cars are known to have bad steering. In the picture of my car below, to the left is the steering column. This is made of Teflon!
For many, the steering alone is a deal breaker. Personally I am fine with it. Please take a comprehensive test drive to see if you are OK with the steering.

To the right is the Turbocharger, Exhaust gas manifold and the Exhaust pipe. In my profession, we protect these with heat tolerant paint. (You can see examples of this in the emergency generators of an apartment complex or any mall). Hyundai service has informed me that if I paint these, they will no longer be in warranty!!

[akadam]

Originally Posted by gungax

Just took the car out for a spin to see if my car has the same issue. If it does, then it is too small for me to notice.



Hyundai cars are known to have bad steering. In the picture of my car below, to the left is the steering column. This is made of Teflon!
For many, the steering alone is a deal breaker. Personally I am fine with it. Please take a comprehensive test drive to see if you are OK with the steering.

To the right is the Turbocharger, Exhaust gas manifold and the Exhaust pipe. In my profession, we protect these with heat tolerant paint. (You can see examples of this in the emergency generators of an apartment complex or any mall). Hyundai service has informed me that if I paint these, they will no longer be in warranty!!
Attachment 1305346

Thanks gungax. I have done 1 TD in the SF that is in BLR...it was pulling to the left and I showed it to the person who brought the vehicle. After a lot of hemming and hawing, he said that this was the only TD car in Karnataka (don't know if that is true) and it goes through a lot of abuse, hence there might be a problem with alignment or something similar. Also, I drove my friends previous gen SF, which was also pulling to the left (showed it to him too). Hence, I don't know what the steering on a normal/new SF feels like :(

Previous to my Innova (current), I had a 2nd gen Scorpio and remember that its steering didn't weigh up at speed and what a stressful experience it was to drive it at speed on the highway. I really don't want to get into that space again.

If I can't get to the bottom of this steering issue with the SF, I guess it's back to the Toyota stable (Fortuner) for me :(

[Autolock123]

I observe the power and torque figures for Santa Fe are significantly higher than compared to its peers - Fortuner, Pajero Sport in spite of having a bigger engine.

May i request BHpians to give some insights on - Why are Fortuner and Pajero shy of power and torque figures when compared to Santa Fe?

[gungax]

Originally Posted by akadam

Thanks gungax. I have done 1 TD in the SF that is in BLR...it was pulling to the left and I showed it to the person who brought the vehicle. After a lot of hemming and hawing, he said that this was the only TD car in Karnataka (don't know if that is true) and it goes through a lot of abuse, hence there might be a problem with alignment or something similar. Also, I drove my friends previous gen SF, which was also pulling to the left (showed it to him too). Hence, I don't know what the steering on a normal/new SF feels like :(
Previous to my Innova (current), I had a 2nd gen Scorpio and remember that its steering didn't weigh up at speed and what a stressful experience it was to drive it at speed on the highway. I really don't want to get into that space again.
If I can't get to the bottom of this steering issue with the SF, I guess it's back to the Toyota stable (Fortuner) for me :(

Steering pulling to the left is also reported by Guderian in the official review. Hyundai i10, i20 and Elantra are also prone to steering issues. I am not sure if use of Teflon (Type of plastic) is part of the problem.
In any case Santa Fe is not designed to take abuse like the Scorpio or Innova. I am very carful with my car over rough roads. (No change is driving style, before this only had sedans.)
Recently I passed through Bangalore and used the “Nice Road”. The limitations of the soft suspension showed up only on this road. The rear started bouncing and I had to reduce speed. Fortunately no one was sitting behind.

[akadam]

Originally Posted by alok1008

Hi Gungax. Actually my vehicle moves just fine on high speeds. And straight line is also not an issue.

Its in lower speeds. Best way to explain it would be to say that there is 'play' on the steering. That for a split second while turning, there is a disconnect between the steering n the wheel. There is a lag.

But my understanding is that such play is not mechanically possible on electronic or hydraulic steering systems. So i have no clue.

Am going to workshop tomorrow. Will share results.

Hope its rectified else, this is so disconcerting that i Will have to seriously consider selling it.

Hi Alok1008 - Any word from your service manager on the steering issue? Were they able to rectify the problem?

[sandeepsankhla]

Good review.
I own a Santa Fe 2014 for the last few months and have driven about 6000 odd Kms. I have the manual version.
First things first I love the car and have no repent buying it.
Pros and Cons:

Pros:
Engine is very smooth
Pickup is very swift and powerful all the way up high speeds
Brakes are powerful but like any ABS if you are holding brakes on a bad road it will be ineffective
Speakers are very good

Cons:
The music system screen is small so I replaced it with Caska screen and it works brilliantly and looks too good
Tyres are H grade so I got them changed to Perilli Y grade which is 255. They look awesome and grips very good. You can expect to lose some mileage by doing this but I think it is worth
In very high speed in you brake hard on curving road the car losses balance as this is a manual version I drive and it does not have eps and traction control. I plan to get them fixed in my car if possible.


General information -
I get 11kmpl on average considering the change in tyres I think they are decent numbers.

I own 2 Fortuners as well and I can confidently say without a doubt SanteFe is better in all comparison with Firtuner except if you want to use your car for Off-roading .. On tar Sante Fe can make the X3 and ML rethink the need to spend as SanteFe in performance is not far behind. In fact in looks it is far better than X3.
I am getting my car fitted with tyre pressure monitoring system of Caska and front camera through AV input of my Caska music system

[akadam]

Originally Posted by sandeepsankhla

Good review.
I own a Santa Fe 2014 for the last few months and have driven about 6000 odd Kms. I have the manual version.
==========
I am getting my car fitted with tyre pressure monitoring system of Caska and front camera through AV input of my Caska music systemAttachment 1309310

Thanks for the feedback sandeepsankhla. From your post, it does not look like you are experiencing any steering related issues. Any feedback on the steering (please see feedback from others a few posts further up)?

[sandeepsankhla]

Nope I am not facing any steering issues. On highway I recommend using the sports mode in steering for better grip.

Only complain is lack of esp and traction control system in manual version that is felt since the car loses balance if u brake on curving roads at high speeds very easily.

[Manuuj]

Originally Posted by sandeepsankhla

Good review.
I
Cons:
The music system screen is small so I replaced it with Caska screen and it works brilliantly and looks too good
I am getting my car fitted with tyre pressure monitoring system of Caska and front camera through AV input of my Caska music systemAttachment 1309310

I own a Fortuner and am looking at the Santa Fe AT4x4 for my father. Would u please post a few pics of the upgraded screen and system as this is a major flaw in the Santa Fe i felt.

At almost 33 Lacs onroad and that tiny screen dont seem to match up.

[rogercharlie]

Have been driving my Santa Fe for the last six months, and have no issues with the steering. I keep the steering selection on "normal" mode all the time.

Would love to see a picture of the Caska screen!

[akadam]

Thanks sandeepsankhla and rogercharlie for feedback on the steering.
Looks like this might be an issue with some specific pieces and not all of them. I can't seem to think of another explanation.
One related question: Do you use your vehicles on fairly rough/broken roads on a regular basis? Maybe that has something to do with degrading steering.
Sorry folks, just trying my best to root-cause this before committing to the SF. Not sure how else to be certain. Any ideas/suggestions would be a big help.