Verdict
B
Large SUV · South Korea · 2000-Present
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Santa Fe — spec data and generation history.
Years
2000-Present
Generations
5
Segment
Large SUV
Hyundai's seven-seat workhorse — SM (2000–2006) was the soft-roader original; CM (2006–2012) was the first credible Discovery alternative with a proper diesel; DM (2012–2018) refined the formula; TM (2018–2024) added hybrid and PHEV options; MX5 (2024–Present) is the angular Land Rover Defender-alike redesign with full hybrid and PHEV. The latest is the most distinctive Hyundai in the range and one of the most usable seven-seaters under $100k.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
DM 2012-2018 → TM 2018-2024
BHP +18 bhp
Torque +40 Nm
0–60 mph −1.0 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +8 mpg
TM 2018-2024 → MX5 2024-Present
BHP +10 bhp
Torque +30 Nm
0–60 mph −0.4 s
Top speed 0
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2000-2006
SM
→
2.7 V6 — 173 bhp, 0-62 in 11.7s.
Verdict
C
BHP
173
0–60
11.7 s
Top
116 mph
MPG
20 mpg
Used
$1,000-$3,800
- + Cheap to buy
- + 4WD as standard
- − Rusts hard on UK cars
- − Cabin plastics dated
2006-2012
CM
→
2.2 CRDi — 153 bhp, 0-62 in 10.9s.
Verdict
B
BHP
153
0–60
10.9 s
Top
118 mph
MPG
31 mpg
Used
$2,500-$8,300
- + Seven-seat option introduced
- + Decent diesel torque
- − Diesel injector failures
- − Steering rack leaks
2012-2018
DM
→
2.2 CRDi — 197 bhp, 0-62 in 9.4s.
Verdict
B
BHP
197
0–60
9.4 s
Top
124 mph
MPG
34 mpg
Used
$7,000-$19,000
- + Cabin big step on
- + Refined diesel
- − Heavy and softly sprung
- − No hybrid yet
2018-2024
TM
→
1.6 T-GDi PHEV — 261 bhp combined, 0-62 in 8.8s.
Verdict
B
BHP
261
0–60
8.8 s
Top
117 mph
MPG
142 mpg
Used
$23,000-$53,000
- + Hybrid and PHEV added
- + Cabin tech catches up
- − 8DCT shudder on hybrid
- − PHEV early battery faults
2024-Present
MX5
→
1.6 T-GDi PHEV — 252 bhp combined, 0-62 in 8.8s.
Verdict
A
BHP
252
0–60
8.8 s
Top
117 mph
MPG
147 mpg
Used
$53,000-$79,000
- + Distinctive angular styling
- + Best cabin Hyundai has ever made
- − Touch-heavy controls
- − PHEV range modest
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2000-2006 · SM
- Rear axle rust on UK cars
- 4AT slow to shift
- 2.0 CRDi turbo failures
2006-2012 · CM
- Diesel injector failure
- Steering rack leaks
- Reverse light switch
2012-2018 · DM
- Theta II engine recall (US-heavy, UK rare)
- DPF on diesel short journeys
- Air-con condenser
2018-2024 · TM
- 8DCT shudder on hybrid
- PHEV battery cell faults early
- Touchscreen reboots
2024-Present · MX5
- Software updates needed at launch
- Boot rattle on early cars
- Some plastics inside lower than price suggests
Rivals
Kia Sorento · Skoda Kodiaq · Land Rover Discovery Sport · Peugeot 5008