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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $19,430–$22,924 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10, while Technology at 6.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.8/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.4/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $19,430–$22,924, 13 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Santa Fe sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. At 7.1/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 13 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe sits in the middle of the field. Until its performance and technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks #1814 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 26% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $19,430 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 46%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $25k →
Across the Santa Fe model years we've scored, the 2013 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.0/10 | $34,747 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $34,747 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $33,735 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $32,722 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $31,710 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $30,698 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $29,686 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $28,674 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.7/10 | $27,662 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.7/10 | $26,650 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $25,638 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $24,626 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Latches/locks/linkages / Hood / Latch 05/06/2017 · 17V358000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched… |
|---|---|
| Power train / Axle assembly / Axle shaft 12/08/2013 · 13V355000 | Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module 22/09/2023 · 23V651000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.1/10 overall, ranking #1814 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 26% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $19,430 and ranges up to $22,924 across trims (MSRP when new). At 13 MPG, expect roughly $4,038/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
