2014 Santa Fe – Anyone here swear by using premium gas even though it calls for regular?

Hey all, I’ve got a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe — the long-wheelbase version with the third row. I know it’s designed to run on 87 octane regular unleaded, and that’s what I’ve always put in it.

But I’ve got a buddy who’s a mechanic and insists that because of the higher compression in the engine, I should be using premium gas to avoid buildup on the injectors over time. He claims it keeps things cleaner and runs better long-term.

For context, I’m not a mechanic, but I spent a lot of time working summers with my dad, who was. He always told me premium is a waste unless the engine specifically requires it. And from what I understand, this vehicle doesn’t.

So I’m curious — are there any Santa Fe owners (or techs in general) who choose to run premium in this car anyway? Have you noticed any real-world improvements in performance, longevity, or injector cleanliness? Or is it just throwing money away?

Appreciate any input

Posted Jul 6, 2025, 7:29 PM UTC

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