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Comments
But i thought a small suv was suppose to be about practicality, fair mpg, decent engine, looks, interior etc
Absolutely no comparison on any of those things other than their "sport" factor
The rav 4 edges out by having a good resale value, "lightness" factor, reliable engine, decently all around made and of course "toyota embelem"(costs 10 k of the car alone)
The cx7 is the athlectic one of the group but it has a nasty mpg rating, low practicality factor, decent overall package otherwise
There is no way in my books the cx7 nor rav 4 can hang with the santa fe in overall package. Interior, safety, practicality, imo looks, more than good enough engine, should cost more than it should factor(almost luxury league) all go to the santa fe.
There is no doubt overall consumer satisfaction will prove that the santa fe is the best small suv
Why would I buy a vehicle with the intention to sell it when I am tired of it? Why does resale matter at this point? Same as mpg if it is within hundreds of $ a year? I think sporty/ fun to drive is a very critical factor on safety and satissfaction (being able to control the car in emergencies and stopping when I need it to, and ofcourse looking forward to driving it would make me satissfied for a longer ownership interval, instead of going for value that you get tired of in a couple of years).
Suvs and sport in regards to performance(0-60 and handling) does not mix very well
suvs and sport in regards to capable to handle rough roads does though
Practicality in a suv sure it matters. Why can't you get the best of a minivan(75 percent of space) style, better fuel economy in one package?
My point is performance is fine to compare but why not do a all out comparison?? The santa fe would win
Even though a MZ6 is a awesome car, w/plently of power, etc, we wanted something 'different' and wanted to sit higher up, and we also felt a tiny bit cramped in the 6.
"Suvs and sport in regards to performance(0-60 and handling) does not mix very well"
Uh, I guess you better contact Porsche, Acura, and yes, even Mazda, and let them know, because whether you realize it or not, there IS a new breed of SUV out now, which actually puts the SPORT back into the mix of things. And btw, these new utes are handling the sport part quite well, and they handle that part MUCH better than the SF.
"Practicality in a suv sure it matters. Why can't you get the best of a minivan(75 percent of space) style, better fuel economy in one package?"
Because I wanted something different, looks sharp, handles well, is comfortable and most of all, FUN to drive.
"My point is performance is fine to compare but why not do a all out comparison?? The santa fe would win"
Umm, maybe in JYHO, but JMHO thinks the SF is too big for us. I must admit, when I first saw one in the showroom, I was really impressed! It's a BIG improvement over the prev gen. We didn't want something that big, and the biggest drawback with the SF were the brakes, 143ft vs CX-7's 123ft. In a panic stop you will be picking glass out of your eyeballs and teeth, because in a SF you will NOT be able to stop in time! 143ft UGH! Not safe at all in my book.
We got a CX-7 Sport last week, and absolutely love it! I'm glad you are happy w/your SF, more power to you, because that's what counts. But please! Your 'practical idealogies' do not fit for everyone.
I prefer driving with a smile on my face, and the Mazda succeeds in every way that we can think of. Thank you.
You have your opinion why the cx-7 is the suv choice , but in my books hyundai absolutely nailed what the top priority of an suv should be assembled and they started with comfort, quietness, interior luxury etc
On another note, i know the 07 CRV is not in this comparison. But honestly what is honda thinking? such an ugly suv(out and in), underpowered and priced at a premiun still. you must be crazy to buy it. I rather buy first any of these three suvs listed, even heck i rather buy a suzuki vitara first.
Maybe I missed it but I don't recall anyone making that claim.
tidester, host
...How about because it's not an SUV - it's a crossover, based on a car-like platform? :P
I wasn't talking about SUV's in general, I was talking about SPORT CUV/SUV's, (what part of Porsche, Acura and Mazda did you not understand?!). The Cayenne, RDX and CX-7 handle those curves better than some top sports cars. How blonde Are you, btw? Geesh.
I noticed you didn't comment on SF's 60-0 POOR stopping distance. You are ignoring a big part of the equation. That alone would keep me from a SF.
Again, I'm happy w/your SF choice, because you are happy w/your choice. I prefer better looks, handling, safety, much better brakes and a more prefered size, (for me).
You should give it a rest, because I think your logic is flawed.
YOU MUST BE SERIOUS
i have driven the cx7 and there is no way you could turn 90 degree corner at say 70 mph without worrying it will flip over etc.
You try with your cx7 and i'll rent a mazda 6 basic and you tell me which car can turn the corner faster and without worry.
Like i said sport and suv cuv whatever you call it is in my opinion once again not the best factor to buying one of these cars. I would be hard pressed to know, other than sport, other factors of these cars are not the reason why you have bought the cx 7. Its like saying i want to buy a m3 coupe for my family of 4.
The whole point of this thread goes back to the laughable comparison made by edmunds. Finding ridiculous flaws on suvs to rank them. Overall grading was never considered, and in addition to pricing the santa fe is the winner.(btw i don't have this suv, but test driven it twice)
and you also said:
"I wasn't talking about SUV's in general..."
It sure seemed like you were.
"i have driven the cx7 and there is no way you could turn 90 degree corner at say 70 mph without worrying it will flip over etc."
And why would you want to turn 90 degree at 70 mph? If you looked at the driving impressions from CX-7 drivers/owners, their FAVORITE part was the secure handling. And at Yahoo! auto reviews, there were several previous Mazda6 owners who said they thought the CX-7 handled BETTER than their 6. Btw, I'm not so sure that I'd want to drive ANY vehicle @ 90 degrees/70 mph. This discussion is bordering on the really ridiculous.
"Like i said sport and suv cuv whatever you call it is in my opinion once again not the best factor to buying one of these cars. I would be hard pressed to know, other than sport, other factors of these cars are not the reason why you have bought the cx 7. Its like saying i want to buy a m3 coupe for my family of 4."
I've already said why: It looks sharp, handles GREAT, the price was right, love all the features, it was the right size and the biggest factor of all was that it is FUN to drive! It met our needs, and we wanted something exciting, which the CX-7 definitely is.
You brought up a CRV in a previous post, well, that doesn't float my boat, but it sells, because it has a niche in the market, people like them for their own reasons. Same goes for the CX-7, same for the SF.
Today we followed a new SF after lunch today, it stills looks nice, but rather Boring to me, (yes, that's w/a capitol 'B'). But hey! Looks are subjective, and others might think it's beautiful. I think the CX-7 looks awesome just sitting still!
I think you like to argue for arguments sake, and this thread is starting to get rather old, (Hint: I'm blue-in-the-face here). I'm done w/you.
zoom-zoom. -c92
ZOOM ZOOM BABY! :shades:
Really? Funny I see lots of people do.
Hyundai products have improved dramatically since the early-to-mid 90s. The Santa Fe itself is a fantasic car all around and has proven a competent vehicle since first generation. The styling is great and the interior is certainly on par with rest of the class - elegantly designed and more premium than most of the class, including the RAV4 (not my word).
FWIW, both of Hyundai's current SUVs have had decent resale values since introduction (go look them up), contrary to your statement. Keep in mind, resale values don't change overnight, but they certainly have been on the rise for Hyundai.
Ford has a tendency to shift its focus on the interior refinements and sometimes forget to place as much attention on the drive train. A lot of Ford owners have been unhappy with the performance of their V6 and fwd combo, so it will remain to be seen if the Edge has the same bloodline as the other Fords, or if it really is something special like its distant cousin from the Far East.
Stay tooned
santa fe is clearly better than RAV4. santa fe should be compared to a new highlander(whenever it comes out) not rav4.
Let's seperate opinion from fact. There is more to a book than the cover. Having said that, I have to agree that the new S.F. is a really nice looking vehicle.
this is not an opinion but there is no doubt. The Rav 4 honestly is a weak suv in comparison. A nice progress from its older self but the santa fe outdid itself compared to its old self huge time.(leapfrogging most of the suvs in its class)
Thats what happens when u benchmark much higher priced suvs and want the best for your customers
The rav 4 definitely has the lighter feel, adds a slight better fuel mpg. But when you talk about overall package , luxury, design and the word "substance" the santa fe is described
Whats more funny is that i know alot of these writers from edmunds and car and driver are just as stunned and actually in denail this suv can be this good, so they must nitpick ridiculous things about this car compared to suvs worth so much more priced because of course this car must have some dna related to the old excell
magazines are just fine and have some interesting facts but in the end customer satisfaction surveys are the best indicators. The last 3 years no car company can beat hyundai cars in that
When I purchased the CX7 w/tech, neither RAV4 nor the Sante Fe offered Navigation System nor Satellite Radio. As of today, those facts are still true. I just re-confirmed those facts on the Toyota and Hyundai websites. RAV4 will offer SAT capability in Fall 2006. Hyundai website doesn't mention anything about SAT. Neither website mentions anything about NAV.
SAT and NAV were the deal breakers. Must "haves" in my book. Sure, you can go after-market, but the results are not the same as when they're offered as factory installed options. Mazda clearly saw where the market was heading. Still no regrets with my decision to buy the CX-7. :P
Vince.
Very Boring..and I pay the same money?!!!!!!!
However: was at the airport last weekend, and noticed a lady in a RAV4 pull over to the dropoff lane. Another car pulled in tight behind her, and she was a little mad that she couldn't swing the gate open all the way. And because it swings the wrong way, she was basically sticking out in the second lane traffic while trying to unload luggage.
Why in heck didn't they make the gate swing the other way? And, more importantly, why doesn't it swing up?
So as of now the RAV4 is off my list, unless they revise this whole gate thing in the second year model. Otherwise, it's a nice CUV overall.
Myself, I'm going with the Santa Fe. I'm not an aggressive driver and value a quiet comfortable ride over G-force in the turns. I also don't particularly like the looks of the Cx7, which is more station wagon than SUV. I'm sure the Cx7 is a beautiful vehicle to many. I think the RAV4 looks great, but the interior is not as nice as the Santa Fe in my biased opinion. Also, I must have both the third row seating plus heated front seats in my car, and the RAV4 does not offer this combination for some reason. I'm sure I could be very happy with any one of these, the Santa Fe just fits my needs the best.
Vince.
And by the way, if I was in the market for one, my pick would be the Santa Fe, why? Aside from the styling, which is completely subjective, the functional side of things, features and other neat items in the Santa Fe make it a worth pick
Good question. I was planning on buying a RAV4 with the third-row option when the CX-7 hit the market, and the Mazda's styling totally blew me away.
The CX-9, while in the same styling vein, just doesn't seem to have the same "wow" factor at all. Throw in what appears to be a nappy Ford V-6, and I wasn't compelled to wait for the bigger CUV.
FWIW, a friend of mine just bought a RAV4, and the third-row seat seems to eat up ALL the cargo space. That makes it useless for what I had planned to do, which is meet the inlaws at the airport with both their grandkids in tow. Sure everybody could fit, but where does their luggage go? If I had less to spend and wanted my CUV to be a drag-racer, I could do the Toyota with a V6, but for me, The CX-7 pushed all the right buttons...
Vince.
Remember, this is a Mazda thread, contrasting the RAV4 and Santa Fe. So my comments were appropriate for this thread.
Vince
Better looking than CX-7. Again, just my opinion.
JCS
Your comments were appropriate. Hopefully the goal of this thread and others is to disseminate information and varying viewpoints so as to help people select the best vehicle for their needs, whichever vehicle that may be. Posts that give facts or opinions backed up by facts and explanations are the ones I find most helpful.
And maybe it's a nappy MAZDA V-6... I stand corrected.
A qulity of the vehicle can be definied after several years of usage. With Toyota the quality is for granted. With Hyundai it is still a lottery.
Toyota recalls double: volume hurting quality?
You might want to look at the history of Japanese made vehicles (and other products for that matter).. Many years ago they were all considered crap-ola. I have fond memories of the the 70's Honda CVCC and my wife's Datsun B210 (now Nissan).
FWIW - I agree with you about time will prove quality. For me Hyundai is not a lottery. I also own a 2001 Elantra with over 100K. It has been problem free and still looks and runs great. My 2001 Taurus SEL with only 55K on it isn't fairing as well.
My 2 cents...
JCS
For now, I'm counting on all the efforts it's made with the 07 Santa Fe. Designed in California, engineered in Ann Arbor, MI, and built in Alabama in the newest, most automated auto plant in the nation that already ranks 3rd for build quality in spite of its recent opening. If any new vehicle has a chance of being done right, I think it should be this one. I still anticipate first model year problems, similar to what Toyota or Honda have with their new cars. I just can't pass up a chance to have the latest and greatest
Vince
Ford's website has extensive details and pricing. A quick glance reveals that feature for feature (as close as I could configure the Edge), the Ford comes out nearly 2 grand higher than comparably equipped CX7. Styling is OK, but it's not as sleek looking as the CX7. I'll be waiting to see the press reviews for the Edge and see the inevitable comparisons to the CX7. Consumer Reports is already making those comparisons.
Vince