2019 Hyundai Santa Fe — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $28,674–$34,984
Fuel Economy 21 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,500/yr

Key Specifications — 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$28,674–$34,984

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.7/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.1/10. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.9/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.4/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.3/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $28,674–$34,984, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Santa Fe sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.6/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.

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 →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks #564 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 77% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $28,674 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 21%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Santa Fe Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.7 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting 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 (this review) 7.7/10$28,674
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 →

Pros & Cons — 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 21 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe (2 on record)

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.

Air bags / Side/window
11/10/2018 · 18V715000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. The Side Curtain Air Bag (SCAB) mounting bolts may interfere with and damage the air bags during deployment.
Trailer hitches
17/03/2023 · 23V181000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

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