Today we’re celebrating a significant victory for the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe! It’s the most reliable option from that model year you can buy. So, if you see a used Hyundai Santa Fe with a reasonable price, go for it. You can trust that it will last for miles and miles. 

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is the most reliable SUV 

According to J.D. Power, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is the most reliable SUV from that model year. But why are we focusing on older vehicles instead of brand new models? Well, seeing how reliable a vehicle is can take time. 

The 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) measures the number of problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old vehicles. This study evaluated nearly 30,000 responses from owners of 2019 model-year vehicles. 

This study has been happening for 33 years! The VDS evaluates 184 specific problems experienced by 2019 vehicle owners. The issues fall into nine larger categories: climate, tech, interior, layout, comfort, driver assistance features, driving experience, powertrain, and exterior features. 

Is the 2019 Santa Fe worth buying? 

Yes, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is an excellent option to consider. It’s one incredibly reliable SUV that’s practical and loaded with standard features. The Santa Fe was redesigned as a two-row vehicle in 2019. The option with three rows is the Santa Fe XL. 

The standard engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder option with 185 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. You can opt for the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine for 235 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. 

According to Edmunds, with the base engine, the Santa Fe can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 9.1 seconds. The Santa Fe can reach 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds with the turbo. 

Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is available. The Hyundai Santa Fe can tow up to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped. That’s enough power for smaller campers and watercraft. 

The Santa Fe has responsive handling and light steering with confident brakes. It can feel like a sporty sedan instead of a larger SUV. However, the suspension is stiff, and impacts on the road can be felt. 

What are the biggest 2019 Santa Fe problems? 

Even though the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is the most dependable option, it’s not perfect. A few owners have reported problems with Car Complaints. There are 32 reports of engine trouble, making it the most common issue. But 32 is relatively low. 

Some owners experienced their engine losing power and only being able to drive at low speeds. Others found that their engine would suddenly stop in traffic. Also, a few people struggled with random acceleration. 

A few of the Hyundai Santa Fe models were fixed once the battery and battery cables were replaced. Others needed to have their transmissions recalibrated. Hyundai didn’t release a recall for any engine problems. 

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe only has six reports of engine trouble listed. This may indicate that Hyundai has corrected the issue. If you’re worried about potential engine trouble, review the history of used 2019 models before making your purchase. 

While it doesn’t have the smoothest ride or most robust towing capacity, the Hyundai Santa Fe is reliable, comfortable, and provides plenty of value. It’s a great used option to consider.