2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited

The 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited (4-door SUV) presents as a well-equipped midsize crossover that blends everyday usability with above-average comfort features for the era. Under the hood it typically houses a 3.5-liter V6 producing around 200 horsepower and 219 lb-ft of torque when paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission in the FWD version, or slightly heavier AWD versions.

On the exterior, the Santa Fe Limited carries a clean, understated profile — neither overly rugged nor ultra-luxury. It measures roughly 177 inches in length and 72.7 inches in width, giving it a footprint manageable in suburban or urban settings while still delivering solid interior volume. With the independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes standard in Limited models, ride comfort and braking felt competitive for its day.

Stepping inside, the Limited trim upgrades many comfort and convenience features compared to base models. Leather-trimmed heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver seat, automatic climate control, and a premium sound system with CD changer were typical. Keyless entry, fog lights, auto-dimming mirrors, and alloy wheels were also part of the package. Seating is for five passengers and, although this model did not offer a third row in most U.S. versions, the five-seat layout delivers reasonable front and rear legroom (front ~41.6 inches, rear ~36.8 inches) and a cargo volume of around 30.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat.

On the road, the 3.5 L V6 offers adequate acceleration for everyday driving, though it is not sporty — 0–60 mph takes in the neighborhood of the 9-11 second range depending on drive train and condition. The Limited isn’t optimized for high fuel economy; FWD versions are rated at roughly 17 mpg city / 23 mpg highway. The ride is comfortable and well suited to family use, errands, commuting, and longer drives with moderate cargo loads.

In terms of practicality, the Santa Fe Limited serves well for families or individuals seeking a comfortable midsize SUV with premium touches. The leather, heated seats and other luxury-style amenities elevate it above the bare basics. Its towing capacity when properly equipped is about 3,000 lbs — enough for a trailer, boat or small camper — giving additional utility. On the downside, third-row seating isn’t available in most U.S. Limited trims of 2006, limiting its maximum passenger flexibility compared to larger SUVs.

Finally, for its age and segment, the Santa Fe Limited’s value lies in balancing usable space, comfort features and respectable engine power under the Hyundai badge. Prospective buyers should check maintenance history (particularly for V6 versions) and expect moderate running costs (fuel, tires, brakes) given its era and class. Overall, the 2006 Santa Fe Limited is a sensible midsize SUV choice with a comfortable cabin, premium touches for its time, and family-friendly utility.