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Harsh ride & Stiff suspension - 2013 Santa Fe Sport

48K views 79 replies 55 participants last post by  lancer3000gt 
#1 ·
Didn't notice this on the test drive, but as soon as I started living with my Santa Fe (about 3-4 weeks now) I can't believe how harsh and rough the ride is. Very very uncompromising over all road irregularities - even those you can't even really see. Does anyone else have this issue with their 2013 Santa Fe Sport?

It's so bad I've been searching for aftermarket struts and shocks to replace what must be garbage OEM parts - but nothing seems to be available for it yet.

I have talked to the dealer and Hyundai American and they both just say "that's how it is". I am going to go back to the dealer and demand (nicely) to ride another Santa Fe and mine back-to-back with someone from the dealership to see what's what.

Other than getting any satisfaction or results this way, I am looking at taking a huge hit by trading this in on some other vehicle that rides better.

I have read reviews that say how nice and smooth the ride is on these, so I don't know if they were reviews that Hyundai paid for, or if I just got a dog. I had also read that the Kia Sorrento gives a rougher ride, and I test drove one yesterday and it is quite a bit smoother and softer than my Santa Fe.

Please comment on your Santa Fe's suspension action and ride quality.

Thank you!!!
 
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#2 ·
Did you check the tire pressure, most said it came out of the dealership at 44psi, go down to 35, see how it feel. I know recommended psi is 32-33, but I like it at 35-36.
 
#7 ·
Check my signature, don't have one yet, would if my wife was working, she got something but is waiting for a background check, anyway, since I have to wait, I want to wait for the 2014 model to be announced to see if anything changes for the better, I'd like to have cooled seats, HID's and paddle shifters.
 
#4 ·
Sorry to hear that you are so unhappy...Speaking for myself, I`m totally happy with the way my 2.0T FWD rides...It corners extemely well, and although it doesn`t "soak up" some severe road imperfections, it certainly rides light-years better than my Rav-4,...Forester, and Explorer of years past, and is on par with my Altima...

My `72 Vette Stingray is another story though..LOL...
 
#5 ·
I also have no problem with the "ride" of my Santa Fe. It is an improvement over my previous vehicle for sure. There is a difference with the smoothness of the rides between the 2.4L and the 2.0T. I did like the ride better in the 2.4L but choose the 2.0T when purchased.

I can only say that maybe you have something wrong cause mine rides great.
 
#6 ·
Well I'm doubtful that the OEM components are junk. Yes the rear end can get a bit choppy on irregular road services - if you look at the rear suspension design it's pretty compact to allow for more room for cargo in the back.
I drove a number of these CUVs and some are sprung tighter than others and some feature a very soft ride - the toyota higlander is a good example - but all in all there has to be trade-offs between ride and handling and a couple of test reviews pointed out the suspension in particular the rear could get a bit choppy over rougher services. Definately lots of choices out there though.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I test drove 3 Santa Fe's on Friday and thought that they rode very nice. One of them I took down a really rough road and did notice some rear end chop but I did not find that unexpected considering the condition of the road. In fact, the wife commented on how quiet the SF was, and this is comparing it to a $45,000 Buick Enclave.

Edit... I see you live in MA. The roads out there are horrible so I am not surprised by your result. Also, if you have the 2.0T version with the 19" rims, that rides a little rougher than the 2.4 with the 17" rims.
 
#9 ·
Yeah, I forgot to mention that my 2013 is a base 2.4 FWD.

And you're right, our roads here in MA are horrible.

Based on what everyone here is saying, I must go back to the dealer and ride another Santa Fe and compare to mine. Mine is a truly terribly rough and harsh ride.
 
#10 ·
Mine rides great and am amazed the amount of control and dampning that occurs when going over bumps. Checked out other CUVs and this one is at least as good and in many, much better. The 2.4 model does feel more compliant than the 2.O with the low profile type tires.
 
#12 ·
Usually it is the opposite due to the low profile tires on the 2.0, and as I am aware the suspension is the same on both. The 2.4 has a larger depth tire and as such may be able to absorb more road irregularities. At least that is the way it is supposed to work and what I have personally found.
 
#13 ·
Yeah, I'm also surprised to hear that the ride was harsher on the 2.4 than the 2.0 - given the 2.4 has the higher sidewall tires. Again, all this leads me to believe there may be something wrong with workmanship or parts on my particular vehicle.
 
#14 ·
Another question is have you driven far enough to really warm the vehicle up?

The temp in the last month has been colder than it has been in over a year.

Shocks don't work as good in cold weather along with the ground & road freezing up could make for a rough ride.

Like others have said test drive another one at the dealer. Only way you will know for sure.
 
#15 ·
I've found the ride of my 2.4L to be on the stiff side. A by-product of this is when I'm hauling cargo of any sort (tools, groceries, etc) in the back seat or rear area. They tend to rattle when going over what appears to the eye to be a relatively nice road. Of course, the quiet cabin makes these noises more noticable.
 
#20 ·
How new is your vehicle / how many miles does it have on it? Mine has approx 600mi on it.. and while it is a bit stiff at times, I know it is not close to being broken in yet. Also, since the SF has gotten a bit sportier in design, I would imagine that the aftermarket companies will be coming out with some upgraded suspension components.. thoughts? A new set of progressive springs would work wonders with these 19" wheels.
 
#22 ·
Reppu,
i got a santa fe sport 3.3 , this is one you guys dont get in the US, believe me i would have loved to have the 2.0t but its not delivered to my country. on this side the suspension is on the soft side, totally the opposite of what u are complaining about. Seems santa fes have different dispositions depending on the country, but i cant understand why on the hard side in the US and on the soft side in Peru where we need a stiffer suspension because of the geography of the country.
any advise on aftermarket suspension?
 
#23 ·
No complaints about the ride. I've had the SFS 2.0. For about 6 weeks. In fact it rides better than I thought considering I was coming from the 111 in. wheelbase Equinox.

We also have a Acura TL (06). The turn radius is short in the SFS making it very easy to get around in small area.
 
#24 ·
I had a 2009 Chevy Avalanche, it had air ride suspension. I agree that the sf rides a little harder than my avalanche, but the truck cost 60k. But my sf is a little stiffer, agreeing the back end is a little light, but uncomfortable in no way!
 
#27 ·
The Equinox has a 6" longer wheelbase which should make the ride less harsh. This is probably something that Hyundai should consider to improve on the ride. If anyone has driven a modern pick-up like the F-150 it is rather amazing how it soaks up the bumps. (I owned one) But it has a 126" wheelbase a full 20" longer than the Sport. The larger model has 4" longer wheelbase so should have a smoother ride.
 
#28 · (Edited)
The Equinox has a 6" longer wheelbase which should make the ride less harsh. This is probably something that Hyundai should consider to improve on the ride.
I did not consider the ride in the Terrain any less harsh than the Santa Fe on our drive, maybe even the opposite.

It would be hard for them "to improve on the ride" by lengthening the vehicle with out a major re-design. Won't happen now that the LWB is out.
 
#29 ·
I couldn't believe the title of this thread when I saw it... I have to disagree as my ride with the SFS 2.0T AWD is great. My last vehicle was a Jeep Gr Cherokee. Although it had a good drive... It was still rougher then the SFS.
 
#30 ·
Didn't notice this on the test drive, but as soon as I started living with my Santa Fe (about 3-4 weeks now) I can't believe how harsh and rough the ride is. Very very uncompromising over all road irregularities - even those you can't even really see. Does anyone else have this issue with their 2013 Santa Fe Sport?
I've spent the last two years in a 3.7 RSpec Genesis Coupe. My new Santa Fe Sport 2.0T is as smooth as butter compared to the Genesis.
 
#32 ·
I have the AWD 2.0T limited and its my 2nd vehicle with low profile tires. The other is Toyota Corolla Sport which I still have. The Hyundai is miles smoother then the Toyota but the Toyota handles much better which isn't surprising; a sedan will always out handle a non modded SUV.

Compared to the Toyota Camry, the SF is much rougher riding but not to the point of being uncomfortable. The SF is still a nice riding vehicle and is amazingly quiet for a vehicle of this ilk.
 
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