What is the best year for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Avoid 2013-2014 (604 and 492 complaints) and especially 2017 (929 complaints), which coincides with the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Santa Fe (158 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) is the strongest mature used pick. The current generation is consistent: 2024 (121, 8/10, 11 severe) and 2025 (112, 8/10, 6 severe) are solid options for buyers wanting newer.

How much does Hyundai Santa Fe insurance cost?

Santa Fe insurance averages about $2,430/year — roughly $203/month.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is cheaper to maintain by $86/year — $429 versus $515 for the Santa Fe. Note the RAV4 is a compact SUV while the Santa Fe is a midsize, so they serve somewhat different buyers. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability (10%); the Santa Fe has a slightly lower repair frequency (24% vs. 26%). The cost gap is real, but so is the size difference.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Major repair probability of 10% and repair frequency of 24% are both well below midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't needed for 2021 and newer. For used models in the 2013-2014 and 2017 range, the documented engine recall history makes coverage worth taking seriously.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek expensive to maintain?

At $492/year the Crosstrek sits just $26 above the subcompact segment average of $466 — essentially at par on sticker cost. Where it distinguishes itself is frequency: a 13% repair rate versus the segment average of 20% means fewer unscheduled shop visits per year. Combined with a 7% major repair probability (below the 9% class average) and a 9/10 reliability score, it's a strong long-term ownership choice.

What is the best year for a Subaru Crosstrek?

The 2023 Crosstrek stands out with only 32 complaints, a 10/10 NHTSA safety score, and just 4 severe issues — the cleanest year in its recent history. Avoid the 2019 model, which had 276 complaints. The 2023–2025 window represents the most refined version currently available on the used market.

How much does Subaru Crosstrek insurance cost?

The Crosstrek averages about $1,968/year to insure — roughly $164/month — making it one of the more affordable subcompact SUVs to insure. Its strong safety ratings and low theft profile keep rates competitive across most driver profiles.

Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Honda HR-V cheaper to maintain?

The HR-V is cheaper by about $191/year — $301 versus $492 for the Crosstrek. The HR-V also leads on reliability (10 vs. 9) and major repair probability (5% vs. 7%). The Crosstrek's counterargument is standard AWD, which the HR-V doesn't offer — a meaningful difference depending on where and how you drive.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Subaru Crosstrek?

Probably not. A 7% major repair probability and 13% repair frequency both sit below the subcompact segment average, and a 9/10 reliability score puts it in low-risk territory. If buying a 2019 model used, some coverage is worth considering given elevated complaints that year — otherwise, self-insuring makes more financial sense.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Subaru Crosstrek

Two midsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Subaru Crosstrek — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Subaru Crosstrek
Annual maintenance	$515	$492winner
5-year total cost	$2,575	$2,460winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	10%	7%winner
Cargo space	—	54.7 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$35,050	$27,600winner
Best years to buy	2011, 2018	2021

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Subaru Crosstrek
RepairPal score	8 / 10	9 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	251.5	74.9winner
Years to avoid	2017, 2019, 2023	2018, 2019, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%	90.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	54.4%	71.2%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	42%	59.5%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Subaru Crosstrek
Engine	45.2%	10.7%winner
Electrical	5.1%winner	10.1%
ADAS	8.8%winner	10.4%
Brakes	5.7%	1.6%winner
Suspension	—winner	1.0%
Steering	4.5%	3.1%winner
Fuel system	2.0%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	2.3%	2.2%winner
Glass/Windows	2.9%winner	33.0%
Airbags	2.1%	1.4%winner
Lighting	1.2%winner	2.5%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Subaru Crosstrek
Avg annual premium	$2,430	$1,968winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Santa Fe

$515/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Subaru Crosstrek

$492/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Santa Fe averages $515/year in maintenance — $58 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40%. Major repair probability of 10% is well below the 13% norm. Reliability score of 8 is above the midsize average of 7. It outperforms the segment average on every ownership-cost metric.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →