The 2008 Santa Fe is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger sport-utility, available in 6 trims, ranging from the GLS to the Limited AWD.

Upon introduction, the GLS is equipped with a standard 2.7-liter, V6, 185-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The Limited AWD is equipped with a standard 3.3-liter, V6, 242-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2008 Santa Fe is a carryover from 2007.