DecodedCars2006 Hyundai Santa Fe
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD /Gl AWD/Gls, 4dr SUV AWD /Gls 3.5 AWD, 4dr SUV FWD Gl/Gl V6
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 177.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,494–3,946 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe is a SUV - offered with 3 engines (2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,752 lb (4dr SUV AWD /Gl AWD/Gls).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 9% better than the 2006 SUV - average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Santa Fe — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Santa Fe →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD /Gl AWD/Gls | 177.2 in | 71.7 in | 66.1 in | 103.1 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,752 lb | 58/42 |
| 4dr SUV AWD /Gls 3.5 AWD | 177.2 in | 71.7 in | 66.1 in | 103.1 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,946 lb | 58/42 |
| 4dr SUV FWD Gl/Gl V6 | 177.2 in | 71.7 in | 66.1 in | 103.1 in | 60.6 / 60.6 in | 3,494 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe 2WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +9% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Santa Fe 2WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | +9% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Santa Fe 2WD | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | +4% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Santa Fe 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -2% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Santa Fe 4WD | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | +6% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Santa Fe 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | 0% | $3,950 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2006 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2006 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Toyota Highlander | 27 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
Recalls (1)
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs · Jul 18, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V435000 · 271,773 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model Year 2001-2006 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from March 31, 2000, through February 15, 2006, that are registered and operated, or which were originally sold and registered, in the following 20 Âsalt belt" states and the District of Columbia: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The affected vehicles may experience front coil spring corrosion from road salt, causing the coil spring to fracture and make contact with the tire.
- Risk
- If the front coil spring fractures due to corrosion it could cause the coil spring to make contact with the tire, possibly puncturing the tire and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the coil spring, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 124.
Not every 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 15 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 7 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Suspension — 6 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 125,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Santa Fe years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Santa Fe | 36 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Santa Fe | 36 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 58 |
| 2025 Santa Fe | 36 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 240 |
| 2024 Santa Fe | 36 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 191 |
| 2023 Santa Fe | 34 | 188.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 290 |
| 2022 Santa Fe | 34 | 188.6 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 265 |
| 2021 Santa Fe | 34 | 188.6 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 187 |
| 2020 Santa Fe | 25 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 218 |
| 2019 Santa Fe | 25 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 229 |
| 2018 Santa Fe | 24 | 184.6 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 432 |
| 2017 Santa Fe | 24 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 7 | 1,327 |
| 2016 Santa Fe | 23 | 184.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 306 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →