Shawn,
Here is my Hyundai story. I own a 2003(.5) Santa FE LX 3.5L 4wd with 16,636 miles on it. It has everything the factory had to offer plus anything and everything the dealer could install on it.
Readers digest version: I Love it!!!!!
Long version;
Prior to owning this "mid" size SUV I have only owned American V8s.
(2001 Cadillac DTS, 2000 Dodge Durango SLT 5.9L with EVERYTHING Plus some, 2001 Mustang GT Convertible.
I came to the realization I did not need the Durango and it's capabilities any longer. It was killing me in gas. On avg 12mpg and $425 monthly (before gas was $2.00/gallon)
I looked, reviewed, questioned, researched and drove multiple times every "mid" size SUV out there for almost 8 months. Highlander, Xtera, Pilot, Saturn Vue (what a POS that was), Kia and etc..
I eventually chose the Santa FE for these reasons in this order, Features, Quality, Price, Warranty
What is Hyundai service like?
Has been excellent. I only needed them once so far. I have the Monsoon 6 disc In dash 200 watt system. The Head Unit got stuck one day shuffling through the CDs in it. (I had no CDs in it that had paper labels.)
Ride?
Excellent. Amazed at the handling. Was incredible this past winter on the ICE and Snow.
Interior?
Sweet, seats are very comfortable, fully automatic climate control.
Power?
3.5L is peppy
Maintenance especially? (but then again 10/100,000 - helps a bunch $-wise)
You can have it serviced anywhere, just keep records. Minor stuff do it yourself or go to the local guy. Major milestones etc.. go to Hyundai
AWD?
Only one issue with it. When it is cool/cold out while driving it for the first time between 5-10 mph the transmission makes a bang and the truck surges forward a bit. It is the AWD synching up.. I have talked to a few people and they have the same symptom. One of the auto mags also called this out while I was researching it.
Noisy?
Not really. On the highway you get a bit more road noise than with some of the other vehicles. However, for me this isn't really an issue as I always have the sun roof open and the 200watts cranked.
To summarise, any vehicle can have some things done better. The Santa FE doesn't have daylight driving lights or auto/dusk sensor for the lights. This bugs me especially as this would only add a few dollars.
I can't name anything else.
Regards,
Bob