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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $32,975–$40,231 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe S 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 7.5/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $32,975–$40,231, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Santa Fe S sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.4/10 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 S 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 →
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe S 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 $32,975 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 9%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe S scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.7 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $39,959 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $38,795 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $37,630 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $36,466 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $35,302 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $34,138 | Read review → |
| 2019 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $32,975 | |
| 2018 | 7.7/10 | $31,811 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $30,647 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $29,483 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $28,319 | Read review → |
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.
