2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

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(4.6) 20 reviews
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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
Compare 2 Trims View Local Inventory
Key Specs
Our Take
Overview
Photos
Reviews
Safety & Recalls
Warranty & CPO
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Key Specs

of the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. Base trim shown.

Our Take

From the Cars.com Vehicle Test Team

The Good

  • Stylish, upscale interior
  • Turbo four-cylinder performance
  • Panoramic moonroof available
  • Under-floor storage

The Bad

  • Third-row comfort (Santa Fe)
  • Over-shoulder visibility
  • Subpar mileage

Notable Features of the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

  • Two-row Santa Fe Sport, three-row Santa Fe
  • Front- or all-wheel drive
  • Four-cylinder or V-6 engine
  • Hands-free power liftgate available
  • Blind spot warning system available
  • Ventilated front seats available

What Is the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is a six- or seven-seat three-row SUV that competes with the Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander and Kia Sorento. Trim levels include the SE and Limited, both of which come standard with front-wheel drive but are available with all-wheel drive. The two-row Santa Fe Sport is covered separately.

What's New on the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The base trim of the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is now the SE; it was previously known as the GLS. 

How Does the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Compare to Other SUVs?

In terms of versatility, the Santa Fe offers a generous 80.0 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. This is nevertheless outdone by the Chevrolet Traverse, which offers up to 116.3 cubic feet.

Like the Traverse, the Santa Fe is available only with a six-cylinder engine. Even so, an all-wheel-drive Santa Fe is EPA-rated 18/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined, which matches a V-6-equipped AWD Toyota Highlander. Without AWD, the Santa Fe is rated 18/25/21 mpg. An AWD Chevrolet Traverse falls behind both with 15/22/17 mpg city/highway/combined. Those whose primary concern is efficiency may want to consider a FWD Toyota Highlander with a four-cylinder power plant, which offers up to 20/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined. The Highlander Hybrid is also an option, which offers up to 27/28/28 mpg city/highway/combined.

What Features in the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Are Most Important?

Every Santa Fe comes equipped with a 290-horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6 engine that's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Significant standard features include seating for seven, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, a backup camera and driver-selectable steering modes. As with all new vehicles, the Santa Fe features antilock brakes, front airbags and an electronic stability system.

Significant available features include second-row captain's chairs (which lowers seating capacity to six), high-intensity-discharge headlights, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system with 8-inch touchscreen, a blind spot warning system, a 115-volt household power outlet and keyless entry with push-button start.

Should I Buy the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The Santa Fe is as clear a signal as any that Hyundai has evolved from a budget brand into a value brand. It offers a ton of amenities for the price, plus surprising versatility through the addition of subtle features such as under-floor storage. While its third row is a bit cramped and it doesn't lead its class in either interior space or mpg ratings, it does almost everything well. It's certainly worthy of your consideration.

Cars.com's Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com's long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don't accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com's advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.


2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Overview

by Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview

Hyundai sells the Santa Fe crossover SUV in two sizes: the two-row four-cylinder Santa Fe Sport and the three-row V-6 Santa ... Read More

Latest 2016 Santa Fe Stories

See all 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe articles >

Consumer Reviews

4.6
20 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.8)
Performance
(4.6)
Interior Design
(4.8)
Comfort
(4.6)
Reliability
(4.8)
Value For The Money
(4.8)

What Drivers Are Saying

(5.0)

Dependable and Classy

by MommaLeisure from Maryland on August 9, 2018

A lot of perks for an affordable price. Lots of leg room and storage from front to back. GREAT warranty and a very classy looking vehicle. (Mine is white with black leather interior) Read full review

(2.0)

All over the road and no pick up.

by Andrew Goldstein from Davie, Florida on June 27, 2018

Acceleration was horrible when getting on the highway. Interior was too small. I felt like my head was touching the ceiling. I am 6 foot tall, and felt cramped in this vehicle, especially in the back ... Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe currently has 2 recalls

IIHS Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

Based on 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe SE

IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal, or poor.

Front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/thigh
good
Lower leg/foot
marginal
Overall evaluation
marginal
Retraints and dummy kinematics
acceptable
Structure and safety cage
poor

Head Restraints and Seats

Dynamic Rating
good
Overall Rear
good
Seat Head/Restraint Geometry
good

Moderate overlap front

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Left Leg/Foot
good
Overall Front
good
Restraints
good
Right Leg/Foot
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Other

Roof Strength
good

Side

Driver Head Protection
good
Driver Head and Neck
good
Driver Pelvis/Leg
good
Driver Torso
good
Overall Side
good
Rear Passenger Head Protection
good
Rear Passenger Head and Neck
good
Rear Passenger Pelvis/Leg
good
Rear Passenger Torso
good
Structure/safety cage
good

Small Overlap Front - Driver Side

Chest
good
Head/Neck
good
Hip/Thigh
good
Lower Leg/Foot
marginal
Overall Evaluation
marginal
Restraints and Dummy Kinematics
acceptable
Structure and Safety Cage
poor
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers.

Manufacturer Warranties

Backed by Hyundai
New Car Program Benefits

  • Bumper-to-Bumper

    60 months / 60,000 miles

  • Roadside Assistance

    60 months / unlimited distance

Certified Pre-Owned Program Benefits

  • Maximum Age/Mileage

    Newer than 5 model years/less than 60,000 miles

  • Basic Warranty Terms

    5 years/60,000 miles (from remainder of original)

  • Powertrain warranty

    10 years/100,000 miles and 10 years/100,000 miles for hybrid/electric vechicle batteries.

  • Dealer Certification Required

    150-point inspection

  • Roadside Assistance

    Yes

  • View All Program Details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

See Warranty FAQs or visit the manufacturer's website .

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The Santa Fe received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker