I have to say I really enjoy driving the SF. It has just over 1200kms on it now, about 800 more than I thought it would, but I had to do 2 trips out of town for sudden family stuff.

A couple of things I've noticed that will have it being returned to the dealership...

Condensation/moisture inside the lens of the rear brake light in the the spoiler on the hatch.

Really irritating rattle in the sunroof when it's open. Can't really hear it with the radio on, but it's there. Not really sure if there would be anything they can do to eliminate it.

In the couple of tanks of gas, 23-25 mpg (Imperial Gallons) which is better than I thought. On the last trip, the display was showing me 11.8 litres per 100kms. It's higher now as I'm back to in town driving.

Bit disappointed that the Limited doesn't have auto headlights but the sensor is on the dash.

Hopefully my side rails are in and I can get them installed soon. It goes to Krown this week for the first of it's annual rust proof treatments.

Wife is upset cos I"m parking at the back of lots again.. trying to keep that first "ding" from happenning as long as I can... lol

Those are great things to hear (that you like it and are patiently working the initial nitpicks out with the dealer), and here's hoping you can go a few months before the first ding!


I'm also into my second week of ownership with about 2000kms on the counter already and getting used to having a bigger car. (Previously owned Subaru Outbacks...)

Although I live in Toronto, my SF is a US-model Limited. (I'm a yank on a temporary work assignment up here...) My Limited has auto-headlamps, but... no daytime running lights. I guess that's the trade off, and to be honest I'd prefer DRLs.

My nits to pick have been that there is a "click" in the dash once I first get underway (like a loud switch for the ABS or ESC or something) and a slow initial shift from 1-2, but otherwise the drivetrain is smooth and capable and averaging 24.5 mpg (mostly highway, of course). No rattle in the sunroof and no misting in the taillights, but there is the characteristic low hum from the Infinity stereo's tweeters at minimal volumes. Oh, and I'm patiently waiting for the XM trial to expire and an XM-line iPod adapter to be available for this stereo.

Also, my tires were waaay overpressured from the factory (40 psi) and I noticed it in my kidneys the first time I went on the highway. I took it to the dealer the next day and they lowered them all to 32 psi. While this took about 2mpg from the avg., the ride is so much quieter and more comfortable... I'll gladly pay for the gas to save my butt the abuse!

The things I really am starting to like are the quiet ride, the power when merging or passing (nice 3.3L), and the easy ergonomics of all the controls. Well, except that the auto-climate AC system is a bit confusing when you go from "auto" to "auto w/ manual override" (by adjusting the fan speed or whtever) and the AC is still on but the button light is off. (If I press "off" first and then set the fan speed and hit the AC button, the light goes on.) However, I once had an Audi Q7 as a rental upgrade, and it's giant dial and LCD-screen AC controls were horribly confusing, ineffective, and downright dangerous with the amount of time spent staring at the interface while driving to just adjust something like which vents are blowing. Plus, the "auto" system didn't do crap on the Audi.

Yeah, I think that's the best thing I can say: the Santa Fe Limited compares favorably to the Audi Q7 I drove for a week last year... but with better gas mileage and easier controls. We'll see how they compare in the snow this winter...

This post has been edited by mbanas: Aug 5 2008, 09:55 AM

My US model Limited does have auto headlights - I wonder why they left that feature off of the Canadian model? If the sensor is already there, I wonder if it would be as simple as getting a US model switch?

Not sure if that would work.. I do know my Father in Law picked up a new 2007 Sonata about 6 weeks ago.. he has the 4cyl and it has auto lights. I'm not even sure if it's a feature I'd use!

On Canadian model you can keep the light swith at ON and when you turn off the engine, the light will go off automaticaly. Since you you need daylight in canada, you can leave the lights swith at ON forever :-)

I think its the same for the american models too, if you have the limited model and keep it on "On" it will turn them off after a few seconds after the engine is off. Happened to me, when i left it on "on" overnight and i noticed the lights were off.

Happen to anyone else on a limited?

The wife let you get the rails or did you tell her they threw them in? :bwekk:

The SE and Limited here in the US get autoheadlights and they are available on the GLS as part of a package. I never touch my headlight switch as I leave them on auto but I find it has to be almost dark for them to go on. My Sonata was the same way.

Hehe.. the rails go on Friday when it's at the dealership...lol

Tomorrow is the Krown rust proofing.. best there is IMHO and I'm having a paint sealer put on.

This post has been edited by Pinto_Siftbean: Aug 5 2008, 09:08 PM

Hi Pinto. I also have a Hyundai Santa Fe Limited here in Toronto and I also have the condensation in my rear high mount LED stop light. It has gotten worse since I have picked up the truck, and not helped by this so called "summer" of ours with constant rain. They have agreed to replace it. Couple of other issues to resolve for me are the misaligned drivers door (doesn't sit flush with body) and a rattle coming from inside the rear tailgate. I also have the annoying high pitched sound coming from the stereo, it only happens when the car is running, turn it off and it goes away. Turn up the volume and it just masks the hum. This is apparently a very common problem with no known fix (at least none that I know of).

Mbanas, that is SO weird, my tires were 40lbs too when I picked it up, WAY to high! How could this been considered acceptable when the sticker on the car says 30? Perhaps they were extra inflated for shipping? I also have had to learn the subtle details of the HVAC. Like you the A/C is very misleading, I have also found it to come on if I just turn the fan on to get some general outside venting. It has now become a habit for me to hit the AC button to turn it on then off to make sure its really off.

However I love the truck and I am getting great mileage for its size, about 11.5L/100k and about 580km a tank. Nothing compared to my old civic but for an SUV I will take it any day!

Hey torscotty,

Just got back from the dealership.. they have ordered a new replacement lens for the rear tail light.. no problems. We also test drove together to find that **** rattle. Roads were wet today and raining so we couldn't hear the **** thing.. of course, dryer on the way home and I heard it.

Side rails are installed and because the work order is still "open", they let me leave without paying for them! One bill when they can close the work order with the brake lens replacement.. no charge for that of course.

I picked up mine from Barrie...

All four tires were also inflated to 40 psi. A quick call to dealer found that they "should" have been set to the recommended 30 psi.

Makes you wonder how completet the dealer pre check is that may or may not be done.

Hmmm.....Should I go check the oil??

Hehe... I checked my oil :D I also prefer a bit stiffer ride.. my tires are a bit higher than what the door says

The pressure is set high for shipping and when the vehicle is sitting on the lot. So the tires wont develop flat spots from sitting in the same location for longer periods of time. Personally I have them at 35 psi as I think 30 is too low for a vehicle this size. I also have the auto headlights and at times they tend to go on a little later then needed. One idea was to cut a small piece of tint to put over the light sensor. This will trick it into thinking its darker and turn the lights on sooner. I'm glad your enjoying you vehicle, its a nice machine overall.

This post has been edited by i360: Aug 8 2008, 11:32 AM

The rattle that seems to be coming from the sunroof, is there an interior piece that covers the sunroof from the inside? Does the rattle happen with this open and closed? I know of a Sonata that had the interior cover a little loose and would rattle sometimes. Not a big deal, just annoying. But will help the dealer find the problem with small details.

The tires are inflated to 40 psi during shipping, but dealers should be doing a predelivery inspection, part of which the tire pressure should be set. Also, they brakes should have been lubricated, which they likely skipped. My tip, ask for the PDI certificate filled out by the mechanic...customer copy is yellow. If they missed changing tire pressure, they likely didn't do all the work recommended....The dealership has no problem taking your money, they should be doing the work they are required to do.

Well, the mechanic who rode with me said there was a small metal clip on the motor in the Sonata roofs that would sometimes rattle up inside the cover.. their solution was to bend it back away from the metal piece it was hitting. We'll see what happens here.. once I can get them to hear it.

Hi Pinto. Did you ever get your high mount LED brake light fixed with the condensation problem? When the dealer replaced it, did that solve the problem?

I am taking my FE into the dealer in a couple of weeks for them to replace mine.

Yep.. the light is all fixed... very small and minor nick near the top of the light on the plastic body trim piece.. it's actually not too bad. Took about 90 mins start to finish. So far no more condensation and I've run it threw a couple of touchless washes and have done a hand wash with nothing getting in.

I still need to get the sunfroof looked for an annoying rattle at and I'm pretty sure I need the back hatch shimmed a bit.. nothing major. Haven't really put enough miles on it to shake anything else loose.. less than 3000kms on the SF.