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Comments
Motor Trend has a review of the Compass in their September issue if you would like to get their take on it.
Synopsis: They seemed to like it, but didn't think traditional Jeep owners would buy into the idea.
Mike
My problem with Pacifica, too slow with the 3.5L, interior space quite small for such a big, heavy vehicle(4400lbs). More weight, worse gas mileage, and coming soon a bigger engine 4.0L, ...yup that'll fix everything, ha-ha-ha.
Thats what I like about new Santa Fe, 3800lb curb weight, gives you light, quick, agile, and 3500lb tow capacity. Nice style, useful interior space, efficient and decent priced to boot !
A very smart design from the Hyundai-American design team, in California! NICE going !
I challenge any U.S/[non-permissible content removed]/ German car company to match these specs for the new breed CUVs for "the new reality" high gas prices in N.America.
True, real off road capabilty requires higher weight, bigger engines, transfer cases, etc. WE all know that.
But, not for the typical anti mini-van crowd, thats really who we are, right !
So give me, your under 4000lb SUVs picks ! Over that, SORRY just a porker ! Pilot, ...oink, CRV: 500lb towing, sorry.
Honda: try again. Next up ....
Interesting exercise for this demographic of readers, I believe.
The only problem that I see with the SF as a minivan replacement is that it is too small with all 7 seats up. I'd like a little more room in the 3rd row and a little more storage behind the 3rd row. That is why I am really looking forward to learning more about the Veracruz. I think it will be more of a people mover than the SF, but it will probably be somewhat of a porker.
Highlander: 2WD 19/25 4WD 18/24
Santa Fe: 2WD 19/24 4WD 19/24
The Hyundai has 27hp and 4lb. ft. of torque on the Highlander, but the Highlander is faster (mostly because it is lighter).
We have a 2004 Highlander Limited AWD with the 3rd row seat. It is a pleasure to drive and is very comfortable. Unfortunately, my son drives it. I don't really want to get an identical vehicle for myself (variety is the spice of life) so the Santa Fe is my top choice right now. I'm replacing a 2000 Honda Odyssey. My wife just got an RX350, which we also love. We want a vehicle that has a 3rd row seat for those rare occasions when it's needed (we rarely use the third row in the Odyssey, but have grown to depend on it 4 or 5 times a year when getting together with family). Safety is my primary concern, tempered with reasonable mpg, nice ride, styling, and reliability. I don't want anything bigger than a Santa Fe/Highlander and don't want to spend much more than $30,000 unless it really gets me a lot more car. Once you get up to a loaded Santa Fe Limited, there really isn't all that much more car you can get other than bells and whistles (my apologies to the RX350).
Got a Corvette Z06 ?, then it would be perfect. IMHO !
We've decided that safety is our primary concern in vehicle selection, which is why I'm replacing the 2000 Odyssey (it otherwise runs perfectly). To me, a safe car weighs close to 4000 lbs, has electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and a "smart" AWD torque transfer system, has side and head protection airbags, lets you sit up higher (thereby raising your head well above truck bumper height), and performs well on crash tests. I'm encouraged by the perfect frontal crash test results on the Santa Fe. I'm hoping the side test will fare as well.
The real value in these vehicles is the GLS - Once you get to the limited with lots of options you are getting close to $30,000 which is a lot of money for any vehicle. A $22,000 vehicle will last just as long as the same vehicle at $30,000. Once you see the interior of the GLS with preferred package you won't feel like you are "on the cheap" compared to the limited. The leather seats are nice though. I thought very seriously about the limited but couldn't bring myself to pay $30,000 for a Hyundai. I am VERY HAPPY with the GLS and feel like I got a value.
I think the base limited (~$26,000) is not a bad deal either (my wife loves leather seats), but once you start piling on the extras above that, it gets expensive really quick.
Mike
Now, they have for a while offered a dealer-installed navi for certain current and past models: it is a system produced by Hyundai's Mobis company. It costs about $2000 -- I don't have a clue as to how well it works.... Sorry!
Mike
Splitting up, loosing the Bimmer 3series, gaining 1 Caravan and 1 beloved fishing boat. Same value.
The situation may be remedied soon by 1 Deep Blue Santa Fe pulling 1 Dark Blue trimmed Lund boat with Efficient Yamaha 4 stroke power, of course ;-)
FYI - speaking of trailer hitches, etc. My dealer threw in the hitch and harness along with installation for free. He hit the bottom on price but I wanted more so he said he could throw that in since it wouldn't show up in the sales price, etc. That alone was worth over $600. They want to sell these vehicles but you need to be ready to buy and be reasonable in your expectations. I personally don't think the deals will be any better in 6 months - maybe this time next year.
You may be right about the deals, not coming very soon, I'm sensing that as well.
I visited my local Toyota last night, based on this forum, didn't even have a Highlander for test drive.
Salesman says: This is how we do things here, rather smug actually. Me says: theres some new kids on the block now !
Specs:
2007 Santa Fe FWD Limited
- Platinum Sage with Black/Gray interior
- Premium Package
- Carpeted Floor Mats
- Cargo Cover
Dealer threw in a Leather/Fabric and Exterior Paint protection package application.
Deepwater Blue - Gray interior -
Floor Mats
Dealer installed mud guards, when available.
Protection pack - with pinstripe.
Traded an 05 Tuscon, so was about 2500 upside down but I worked them hard and went out the door at 1000 less than sticker.
AC seems to be very effective at quickly cooling the vehicle down. Here in the St. Louis, MO area, we have seen 100+ degree days yesterday and today.
Quiet, quiet, quiet cabin - City and Highway. Nice!
Really upscale look and feel. The interior trim feels rich
About 1/2 the pice of SUV's by Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes, et al.. but looks as good - better in my opinion.
Overall, it just feels right.
I'll give a better report after we've lived with it for several days.
JCS
Mike
I have yet to see any in the St. Louis, MO area.
JCS
As it has been said, interiors sell cars, and Hyundai did pretty well here. I loved the perforated light beige leather seats, it had most of the appropriate luxo' accessories, and the AC was strong. It looks nice, outclasses anything I've seen in it's price range- but is a step down in luxury and fit and finish from some of the high end SUVs such as the Touareg. It's missing memory seats.
It didn't have the acceleration of a Rav4 V6, but the sound, ride quality and interior is so far above the Rav4 they're not in the same class. And the accel of the 3.3L V6 was certainly more than adequate. It's amazing that the Rav4 can get that kinda' mpg with a 269hp 3.5L. a true work of engineering, in an otherwise chintzy feeling small SUV with a lousy interior. But I digress.
The rear seats were comfy, folded flat easily and there was a good use of interior space.
The on-road feel was solid and somewhat nimble. A good balance between comfort and handling- and fairly quiet. I was only able to get it up to 60mph or so on the roads I was travelling, but I'd love some feedback on how the vehicle feels at 75+mph. Certainly more of a road vehicle than off-road- but that's no surprise.
The roof rack was sturdy looking and I like the way the rear hatch opens easily with the handle. It would have been nice to have flip-up glass as well. A temporary spare is all you get. Does anyone know if there's room there for a real tire? It looked like there might be. I like that you get gas-charged lifters for the hood as well. No cheaping out (hear that Toyota?).
Loaded up it's nearing the $30K price range, which now puts it in competition with other nice mid-sized SUVs. The B9 Tribeca, Murano, Highlander. So the competition is fierce, but it's a competitor.
JCS
I got the Limited with no other options than the rear cargo cover. I had to pay for the mats separately.
As far as interior quality, (since morey000 mentioned it)I think it keeps up with the higher end competitors, I did not do much shopping around, but I did get into a few used MBs and BMWs, I was not impressed, I mean they have the luxurious feel to them, but the SF holds up pretty good against them. Granted you get more bells and whistles on the others, but hey, that is why you are paying 10-15k more. I think Hyundai is on the right track to be on the top 5 in the next 5 years as their goal is.
At 1000 miles, I still love this vehicle - alot of bang for the buck! My mixed driving MPG has been right around 24.5 mpg for the entire tank - this includes the drive up and down the mountain. This is measured by the onboard computer. I suspect manual MPG calculations will be a little less. I'm very happy with this especially knowing it will go up with time. These are great vehicles - go get one! :shades:
Mike
I did do one good stop from 55mph and didn't feel any problems. I thought the brake pressure was just about right. Perhaps another way to describe "spongyness" is "not grabby". So yes, you don't get a firm increase in pressure as you go deeper in the brakes, but for a non-professional driver, this could be a safer brake design, as you're less likely to lock them up. (ABS notwithstanding)
On the flip side- I wouldn't argue with edmunds' braking test results. I found the braking to be predictable and smooth, but not especially short. i.e. other cars can stop faster.
I'm going for another re-test drive tonight, so I can compare it back to back with the Subaru B9 Tribeca.
#1124 of 1127 Re: Test Drive Report [morey000] by mschelle Aug 03, 2006 (8:37 pm)
Replying to: morey000 (Aug 03, 2006 12:02 pm)
I was wondering what you thought about the braking. I loved the Tuscon until I found the brakes to be spongy and the braking was mentioned in the Edmunds review
I'm anxious to see how easy it is to get into that 3rd row. We rented a Buick Rendevous for 10 days recently. It was a very nice SUV, but no adult was willing to hop (literally) back into the 3rd row seat -- it was VERY difficult to climb into! I'm hoping Hyundai did a better job of providing access to that seat!
I'll keep you posted if I actually am able to test drive a Santa Fe with a 3rd row in the next week or so.
Linda
congrats on your SF purchase. I too am a Tucsonan as well and test drove a SF last night. Only in the mid-90's but yes, the AC was very good. (almost as good as my Chevy Blazer... which is really terrific. one thing that GM does very well)
Would you be willing to share what kind of mpg you're getting, and perhaps post over on the "purchase price and buying experience forum" if you got a decent deal (tough on a brand new model).
Mike
How far will a dealer do a dealer-trade,miles that is.And how far before he hits me up for a fee?
Also how far out does a dealer know whats coming from the factory.
I'm looking for a specfic color/colors,think it's going to be awhile before dealer finds what I want. :confuse:
Im in the Chicago area.
My husband went to the Iowa City dealership this morning. It took no time for a salesperson to come out and he and our son even took a test drive. My husband is 6'2" and our son 6'. My husband says there is plenty of room in the front and back. He test drove the limited and said the tires made a whining noise. Definitely the tires. Otherwise, it was quiet. I sure wish I could have looked at it more. I don't know what to do about this dealership. I am extremely upset with them. My husband says give them the benefit of the doubt. But, I really don't think they take women seriously.