Hyundai Santa Fe 2017 Vehicle Profile: Reliable 2.4L Mid-Size SUV with Balanced Features
Vehicle Overview: Market Position & Credibility
The Hyundai Santa Fe is Hyundai Motor's global mid-size SUV cornerstone, refined over multiple generations to earn a broad reputation for balanced space, equipment, and value. The 2017 model is a mid-cycle facelift of its generation, oriented toward versatile family use and buyers who care about space, balanced features, and cost of entry.
It competes directly with joint-venture mid-size SUVs such as the Edge and Tiguan L, positioned to deliver a balanced experience at a more pragmatic price. Its mature 2.4L naturally aspirated engine and 6AT combination, together with a rich suite of comfort and safety features, establishes a trustworthy, practical image in the market.
You can get a full look at the exterior and interior design of this model in the video below:
Core Specifications
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Item
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Specification
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Model
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Santa Fe 2017 2.4L Automatic 2WD Smart 5-seat
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Segment
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Mid-size SUV
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Fuel Type
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Petrol
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Launch
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2016.09
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Engine
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2.4L, 189 hp, L4
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Max Power
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139 kW (189 hp)
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Max Torque
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240 N·m
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Transmission
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6-speed automatic
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Dimensions
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4730 × 1880 × 1686 mm
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Body Style
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5-door, 5-seat SUV
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Wheelbase
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2700 mm
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Top Speed
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195 km/h
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Warranty
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5 years / 100,000 km
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60,000 km Maintenance Estimate
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approx. USD 1,400
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On the chassis side, the Santa Fe uses a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with a mature suspension system (MacPherson strut front), supplemented by rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, a panoramic sunroof, a leather multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and a PM2.5 filter — a balanced and generous comfort and safety package for its class.
Three Highlights & Three Caveats
Highlight 1: Spacious cabin and solid build quality at a strong value A 4730mm body with a 2700mm wheelbase and a 5-door, 5-seat layout delivers generous rear and trunk space, with interior materials and workmanship among the better contenders in its class of mid-size family SUVs.
Highlight 2: A 2.4L naturally aspirated engine with a 6AT — smooth, reliable, and affordable to maintain The 189-hp, 240N·m powertrain is smooth and durable. The naturally aspirated engine keeps long-term maintenance costs low and tends to be more trouble-free, while the mature 6-speed automatic is more dependable than a dual-clutch unit.
Highlight 3: Generous equipment, with safety and comfort fully covered Standard ESP, TCS, EBD, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control come alongside a reversing camera, panoramic sunroof, leather multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and a PM2.5 filter — living up to the "smart" trim name.
Caveat 1: Fuel consumption runs high, so budget it into ownership Paired with a mid-size SUV body, the 2.4L naturally aspirated engine returns higher urban fuel consumption, and long-term fuel spend should not be overlooked.
Caveat 2: Power is adequate, not thrilling With 189 hp against a curb weight near 1.7 tonnes, acceleration off the line and in the mid-range is serviceable at best; buyers seeking punch may be underwhelmed.
Caveat 3: Resale value and residual worth are average As a joint-venture mid-size SUV, the Santa Fe's resale value in its market lags similarly priced Japanese and German rivals, so depreciation on resale will be more noticeable.
Ownership Costs & Service
Warranty: A 5-year / 100,000 km whole-vehicle warranty is a genuinely competitive offer among joint-venture brands, with engine immobilizer and central locking standard.
Maintenance: The estimated 60,000 km maintenance cost is about USD 1,400. Naturally aspirated engines keep service simple, and the extensive dealer network makes long-term ownership manageable.
Fuel: As a 2.4L naturally aspirated mid-size SUV, urban fuel consumption tends to run higher. Measured against global average fuel prices, annual fuel spend for 20,000 km of driving is a significant part of ownership cost — evaluate it against your commute before buying.
Insurance & Taxes: Mid-size SUV annual road tax, mandatory liability insurance, and commercial insurance add a fixed yearly outlay to budget for.
Subsidies: As a petrol model, this vehicle does not qualify for new-energy vehicle purchase subsidies; purchase relies on standard registration taxes and dealer incentives.
Competitor Comparison: vs. Edge, Tiguan L, and Palisade
Among its rivals, the Santa Fe's biggest differentiators are its reliable naturally aspirated + 6AT combination and its balanced, generous equipment. The Edge wins on power with its 2.0T high output and strong torque; the Tiguan L leads on fuel economy with its 1.8T and lower NEDC figure, with steadier resale value; the Palisade is the imported full-size 7-seater with the highest space and performance specs, but a higher positioning and price.
For a buying decision: those who prioritize smoothness, reliability, balanced features, and value should choose the Santa Fe; buyers chasing power and driving excitement should lean toward the Edge; those worried about fuel and resale should focus on the Tiguan L; and buyers needing a big 7-seater with a larger budget should look at the Palisade.
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Dimension
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Santa Fe 2017 2.4L AWD? 2WD Smart 5-seat
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Edge 2017 2.0T 2WD 5-seat
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Tiguan L 2017 1.8T 2WD Luxury
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Palisade 2021 3.5L 2WD GL
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Segment
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Mid-size SUV
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Mid-size SUV
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Mid-size SUV
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Full-size SUV
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Engine
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2.4L 189hp L4
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2.0T 245hp L4
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1.8T 180hp L4
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3.5L 272hp V6
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Max Power
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139 kW
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180 kW
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132 kW
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200 kW
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Max Torque
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240 N·m
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350 N·m
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300 N·m
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330 N·m
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Transmission
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6AT
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6AT
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7DCT
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8AT
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Dimensions (mm)
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4730×1880×1686
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4878×1925×1734
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4712×1839×1673
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4980×1975×1775
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Seating
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5-door 5-seat
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5-door 5-seat
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5-door 5-seat
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5-door 7-seat
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Top Speed
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195km/h
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192km/h
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206km/h
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210km/h
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Sunroof
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Panoramic
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Panoramic
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Segmented
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Panoramic
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Cruise
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Standard
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Adaptive? Fixed
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Fixed
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Fixed
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Safety (ESP/TCS etc.)
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Standard
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Standard
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Standard
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Standard + Active
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Connectivity
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CarPlay/CarLife
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CarPlay/CarLife
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Navigation+CarPlay
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10.25" screen + OTA
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The Santa Fe wins with a reliable 2.4L naturally aspirated + 6AT combination and balanced equipment, ideal for pragmatic family buyers; the Edge is strongest on power; the Tiguan L has the best fuel economy and resale stability; and the Palisade offers the highest specs and a 7-seat option.
Expert Test Drive — Pros & Cons
Pros:
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Solid chassis with good body rigidity, stable at medium-high speeds, and reassuring on long journeys.
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The 2.4L + 6AT is smooth with crisp shift logic, comfortable for everyday commuting.
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Good suspension damping, with ride quality on paved roads close to more expensive models.
Areas to Improve:
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Acceleration is moderate; loaded or on inclines, the response feels weak.
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Engine noise at high rpm is noticeable, with middling NVH.
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Fuel consumption is higher, adding to household running costs in the city.
Real-World Scenarios:
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Urban commuting (20,000 km/year): higher urban fuel consumption, so fuel spend needs to be budgeted.
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Long highway trips: stable chassis and comfortable cruising, well suited to family road trips.
Real Owner Reviews
Positive (Space): Rear and trunk space are generous, with strong loading capacity for family use.
"The space is really big — three people sit comfortably in the back and the trunk has more than enough room for the kids' stuff."
Positive (Equipment): Well equipped, with the everyday comfort and safety features basically all present.
"At this price the equipment is generous — panoramic sunroof, leather wheel, and reversing camera are all there, very comfortable for daily driving."
Positive (Driving smoothness): The 6AT is smooth and reliable, and the car is hassle-free to drive.
"The gearbox is very smooth with no jerkiness — it's comfortable from start and at low speed, very suitable for the family."
Negative (Fuel): Fuel economy is high and urban running costs are noticeable.
"Urban fuel consumption is indeed high — a tank doesn't go very far, and the petrol bill is much bigger than I expected."
Negative (Power): Power is merely adequate, and it feels weak when loaded or during brisk acceleration.
"On the highway with a full load you have to press the accelerator early to overtake — the power is only adequate, not punchy."
References
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Global Petrol Prices. World Average Electricity Prices, USD / kWh. Retrieved from https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/electricity_prices
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IEA. Global EV Policy Explorer. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/global-ev-policy-explorer
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Hyundai official product information and configuration data
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YouTube video: SANTAFE 2017 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH9cLk5-Vt0)
