Hyundai Santa Fe 2000–2004 car dimensions: 4500 mm long, 1820 mm wide and 1730 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,643 kg. Braked towing is 2,300 kg.
Air conditioning is standard across the range. Automatic climate control is fitted on the LX. Cruise control is standard on GLS and LX, and available via package on the base model. The cabin offers five seats with cloth trim as standard and leather on the LX, plus power windows, locks and heated mirrors. No advanced electronic driver aids appear in the equipment lists.
Luggage capacity is 850 litres with the rear seats up and 2100 litres with them folded. The 60/40 split-folding rear bench and available cargo cover or net support everyday loads.
Braked towing capacity reaches 2300 kg on automatic V6 models and is lower on the four-cylinder manual. Unbraked towing is rated at 750 kg. A tow hitch is available as an accessory.
The cabin feels roomy and practical with 101 cubic feet of passenger volume, supportive front bucket seats that include an 8-way driver seat with lumbar adjustment, and a 60/40 split reclining rear bench. Air conditioning is standard across the range, with fully automatic climate control on the LX. Higher grades add leather surfaces and heated front seats. Large glass area, multiple storage spots, cupholders, power windows and an overhead console with map lights keep daily use simple and comfortable.
Fuel economy EPA-rated around 18 city/25 hwy for the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and lower for V6 models.
Service intervals include oil and filter changes with scheduled maintenance starting at 7,500-mile or 6-month marks. some markets list 15,000 km/12-month minor services.
IIHS moderate-overlap front crash test rated Good. NHTSA frontal ratings 5 stars driver/4 stars passenger on tested 2002 4x4 models. Euro NCAP 4 stars.
Standard safety kit includes dual front airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters, four-wheel disc brakes, child-proof rear door locks and child-seat anchors. side-impact airbags standard from 2003. ABS and traction control standard on LX or optional.
Fuel use varies by engine. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder returns the higher EPA figures near 18 city and 25 highway. The 2.7-liter and later 3.5-liter V6 models return lower combined numbers in the mid-to-high teens depending on drivetrain and conditions.
Servicing follows the factory schedule with oil and filter service as the core item. Intervals begin at 7,500 miles or six months under normal use, with more frequent attention under severe conditions. Timing belt and other major items appear later in the schedule. The original warranty package covered five years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and ten years/100,000 miles on the powertrain plus roadside assistance.
Safety equipment centers on dual front airbags with pretensioners, four-wheel discs and child restraints as standard. Side airbags arrived as standard in 2003. ABS with traction control is standard on the LX and optional on lower grades. Crash tests from the period show a Good IIHS moderate-overlap result, strong NHTSA frontal scores on the tested model and a four-star Euro NCAP rating.
Living with the car means relying on the long warranty coverage when new and following the published maintenance chart. Independent suspension and available full-time 4WD support everyday road use. Keep up with fluid checks, tire rotation and the timing-belt interval to maintain reliability as the vehicle ages.
Length 4500 mm, Width 1820 mm, Height 1730 mm, Wheelbase 2620 mm (Santa Fe 2000–2004)
Sources: manufacturer data, Hyundai Santa Fe Car Brochure, autoevolution.com and auto-data.net.