2010 Hyundai Santa Fe
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD/Limited, 4dr SUV FWD 2.4 Gl, 4dr SUV FWD 3.5 Gl/3.5 Gl Sport
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 184.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,686–4,118 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
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 37 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,118 lb (4dr SUV AWD/Limited).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 11% better than the 2010 SUV - average of 20.7 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2010
- Engines added: 2.4L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl
- Engines dropped: 2.7L 6-cyl and 3.3L 6-cyl
- Best combined MPG up from 20 to 23
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Santa Fe →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD/Limited | 184.3 in | 74.4 in | 70.9 in | 106.3 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 4,118 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV FWD 2.4 Gl | 184.3 in | 74.4 in | 70.9 in | 106.3 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,686 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr SUV FWD 3.5 Gl/3.5 Gl Sport | 184.3 in | 74.4 in | 70.9 in | 106.3 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,900 lb | 57/43 |
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 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | +11% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Santa Fe 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 23 | +11% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Santa Fe 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | +26% | $2,900 | 386 |
| Santa Fe 2WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | +6% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Santa Fe 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +20% | $3,050 | 404 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2010 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2010 Honda CR-V | 24 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2010 Toyota 4Runner | 20 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2010 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 17 |
| 2010 Toyota Highlander | 26 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
Recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V113000 · 1,712,336 vehicles
- Problem
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
- Risk
- Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Apr 28, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V261000 · 5,876 vehicles
- Problem
- HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 SANTA FE 2WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND 2.4L ENGINES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 5, 2010. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT MAY SUFFER FROM NOISE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR DUE TO A MISALIGNMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR. CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION LEADS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WHIRRING/WHINING NOISE AND CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
- Risk
- DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE OUTPUT GEAR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
Not every 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 46 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 31 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 89,897 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 2010 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 | 291 |
| 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 →