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 Jeep Wagoneer expensive to maintain?

The Wagoneer costs $784/year to maintain — exactly at the fullsize segment average. Repair frequency of 39% is just below the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 6 and major repair probability of 15% both match segment averages. Average across all ownership-cost metrics.

What is the best year for a Jeep Wagoneer?

The Wagoneer entered production in 2022. The 2024 model (36 complaints, 8/10 safety, 2 severe) is the strongest year on record, improving significantly from the 2022 launch year (181 complaints, 13 severe). The 2024+ range is the safest window for used buying.

How much does Jeep Wagoneer insurance cost?

Wagoneer insurance averages around $2,526/year — roughly $211/month.

Is the Jeep Wagoneer or Chevrolet Suburban cheaper to maintain?

The Wagoneer is cheaper to maintain by $160/year — $784 versus $944 for the Chevrolet Suburban. The Wagoneer also has significantly lower repair frequency (39% vs. 51%). Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The Wagoneer is the better maintenance value in this comparison.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Jeep Wagoneer?

Major repair probability and repair frequency are both at the fullsize class average. The 2022 launch year had 181 complaints and 13 severe issues — extended warranty is worth considering for used 2022-2023 models. For 2024 and newer, the risk profile is more moderate.

Hyundai Santa Fe vs Jeep Wagoneer

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

Buy the Jeep Wagoneer if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Jeep Wagoneer
Annual maintenance	$515winner	$784
5-year total cost	$2,575winner	$3,920
Reliability score	8 / 10winner	6 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	10%winner	15%
Cargo space	—	—
Starting price (new)	$35,050	—
Best years to buy	2011, 2018	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Jeep Wagoneer
RepairPal score	8 / 10winner	6 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	251.5	201.5winner
Years to avoid	2017, 2019, 2023	2022
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%winner	59.9%
Value retained · 5 yr	54.4%winner	53.8%
Value retained · 7 yr	42%	44.7%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Hyundai Santa Fe	Jeep Wagoneer
Engine	45.2%	29.9%winner
Electrical	5.1%winner	16.1%
ADAS	8.8%winner	16.4%
Brakes	5.7%winner	9.3%
Suspension	—winner	2.3%
Steering	4.5%winner	5.5%
Fuel system	2.0%	—winner
Tires/Wheels	2.3%	1.9%winner
Glass/Windows	2.9%	1.3%winner
Airbags	2.1%	1.6%winner
Lighting	1.2%	1.0%winner

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	Jeep Wagoneer
Avg annual premium	$2,430winner	$2,526

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Hyundai Santa Fe

$515/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Jeep Wagoneer

$784/yr maint · 6 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 →