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 Toyota 4Runner expensive to maintain?

The Toyota 4Runner averages $514 a year in maintenance. That is $59 below the midsize segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.4 times per year, in line with the midsize segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 8/10. Verdict: cheaper than average to keep on the road.

What is the best year for a Toyota 4Runner?

The weakest years by those same measures are 2018, 2023, and 2025 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: no standout year — any of the stronger years is a reasonable buy.

How much does Toyota 4Runner insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Toyota 4Runner averages $2,045 a year, about $170 a month (industry average). That is less than the midsize segment average of $2,455. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Toyota 4Runner or Jeep Grand Cherokee cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $514 a year on the Toyota 4Runner versus $666 on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Reliability scores are 8/10 and 7.0/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.4 versus 0.3 times per year. Verdict: the Toyota 4Runner is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Toyota 4Runner?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 13%, so roughly 87 in 100 owners will not face one — in line with the midsize segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 8/10. Verdict: optional — worth it only if you want predictable costs.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota 4Runner

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Toyota 4Runner to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Toyota 4Runner if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota 4Runner
Annual repairs	$515	$514winner
5-year repair cost	$2,575	$2,570winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$21,940	$12,424winner
Reliability score	8 / 10	8 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	10%winner	13%
Cargo space	79.6 cu ft	90.2 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$37,100winner	$43,500

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota 4Runner
RepairPal score	8 / 10	8 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	254.8	63.9winner
Strongest years	2011, 2015, 2016	2017, 2020, 2021
Weakest years	2013, 2017	2010, 2011, 2012
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%	93.3%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	54.4%	74.6%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	42%	64%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Toyota 4Runner
Engine	52.3%	6.0%winner
Electrical	5.1%winner	7.8%
ADAS	9.3%	5.0%winner
Brakes	5.6%winner	9.1%
Suspension	—winner	3.6%
Steering	4.4%winner	6.8%
Fuel system	2.0%winner	4.8%
Tires/Wheels	2.4%winner	3.1%
Glass/Windows	2.9%	—winner
Airbags	2.1%winner	32.5%

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	Toyota 4Runner
Avg annual premium	$2,430	$2,045winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Santa Fe

$515/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Toyota 4Runner

$514/yr maint · 8 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. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →