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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $20,300–$25,394 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.2/10, the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10, while Technology at 6.5/10 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. Reliability comes in at 7.4/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 7.6/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.8/10 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 6.5/10 — 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 $20,300–$25,394, 14 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Santa Fe sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. Value lands at 7.4/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 12 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance and technology scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
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 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $20,300 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 44%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Santa Fe model years we've scored, the 2014 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… |
|---|---|
| Tires / Sidewall 16/12/2013 · 13V624000 | Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2014 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with P235/65R17 103T Continental Crosscontact LX tires. The tires may have a damaged sidewall. |
| 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.
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