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Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota RAV4 vs Mazda CX-7 vs Ford Edge

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Comments

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Daniel Pinkwater owns one, from hearing him talk on CarTalk a few years ago. He's a rather large man and the New Beetle seems to fit him (link). I don't actually know him of course, or any other male NB owners.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    My 16 yr old female neighbor has one and my 12 yr old daughter just adores it.

    Not making judgements, just stating facts..... :D
  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    "Never knew you to be such a Philosopher"

    You know it! Now, let's add some controversy and I'll get flamed for this one... :blush:

    Remember the former poster who stated that he felt the RAV4 was feminine? I think the REAL issue is he's more concerned with what his buddies think. After all, why would he make such a statement? His buddies think the RAV4 is feminine therefore, he has the same opinion. If he buys the RAV4, he'll get ribbed. Teased. Guilt by association. He doesn't want to be caught owning one. IT'S NOT BUTCH ENOUGH!

    Sorta of like when Arnold Schwarzenegger, accused the state legislature of being "girly-men", for not thinking like him.

    A REAL man doesn't care what others think. If I want to own a new VW Beetle, then by god, I'll own one!

    Now, I'm waiting for someone to say the CX-7 is feminine. Go ahead, say it!

    Ok ladies and gentlemen, there, I've said it. I've got a bullseye on my back...go ahead and flame me! I'm prepared! :shades:

    Vince.
  • carlitos92carlitos92 Member Posts: 458
    I think I can shift the bullseye, Vince. ;) Here are my uber-macho old-fart rules:

    Rule #1: If your car has fuel injection, a catalytic converter, or metric parts, it's a girlie car.

    Rule #2: If your car is not rear-wheel-drive, it's a girlie car. If it has all-wheel-drive, it's a truck.

    Rule #3: If you are not in England and wearing a tweed cap, and your car has a convertible top, it's a girlie car.

    Okay, that being said... I love my "girlie" CX-7, but I'd rather be under a shade tree working on a '67 Camaro than waiting in the Mazda service department lounge any day. I say the car industry has emasculated all of us guys by making our cars rolling computers that you have to have a college degree to take care of. They've turned us all into posers. Even my Vette-owning friends have a boutique they buy horsepower from. Bring back lap belts, vapor lock, and bias-ply tires, I say. John Wayne (and Arnie) would be proud. :D
  • arizonajoearizonajoe Member Posts: 123
    Look what I started! I leave for a few days and...

    Cars can very easily be masculine or feminine. They are often designed to appeal to one or the other. I never knew or saw a man driving the previous-generous RAV4. The new model looks less feminine, and is a car I would consider buying. It's a great value.

    On the spare tire cover...I was referring to the cover, not to the general feature of having a spare tire in back. The body-color cover really accentuates a cutesy feminine look. The salesman and I laughed at the dramatic change produced by merely removing the cover -- an exposed spare tire changes the look completely.
  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    "The RAV4 isn't bad, but it still has a slightly feminine look to it, especially with the spare tire cover. It's better than the previous generation, though."

    You stated the RAV4 has a slightly feminine look and then you bolstered your argument by mentioning the spare tire cover.

    I had owned the 2004 RAV4 and loved it, but not once considered it feminine. I bought it cuz consumer reports raved about it, it had all the features I wanted and it was priced right. It looked pretty decent, too.

    Now that you've chosen to rejoin the discussion (hiding huh?), can you tell me what makes a vehicle feminine vs masculine? My son says the current 2007 Mustang is a chick car. So, from one perspective, that makes the 2007 RAV4 and the Mustang similar. What features in a car distinguish it masculine vs feminine? Yes, I'm putting you on the spot. :shades:

    Brave enough to educate us all?

    :P

    Vince.
  • tinycadontinycadon Member Posts: 287
    It's impossible to specifically define what makes a car a 'chick car,' it's like pornography, I can't define it, but I know it when I see it! :blush:
  • cxrabbitcxrabbit Member Posts: 134
    LOL I love this discussion.

    Really, it's all pretty subjective. I liked the CX-7 because it seemed LESS girly to me than some of the other cross-overs out there. I kinda thought it had a "mean" look to it. It also always amazes me how the COLOR of the car can dramatically change how you see it. Silver (to me) just looked blah. The black (by it's nature) and the white (probably because of all the black accents) looked the least "girly".

    But of course, take that from me - a woman! :P
  • piastpiast Member Posts: 269
    Vince, which car does your cute pocket Chihuahua likes better, old RAV4 or new CX7?
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    bark and holler and leave gobs of their fur on RAV4 seats, on CRV seats and on my Kia Sportage cloth seats. And they do.

    I do think that pulling the cover off a RAV4 spare makes the little SUV look "harsher" than pulling the cover off of my Sportage's spare tire. Oh, yes, indeed. ;)

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    "Vince, which car does your cute pocket Chihuahua likes better, old RAV4 or new CX7?"

    CX-7, of course! :P

    V.
  • srangersranger Member Posts: 106
    It's impossible to specifically define what makes a car a 'chick car,' it's like pornography, I can't define it, but I know it when I see it!

    You nailed it buddy...

    In my opinion, All of these small SUV/CUV are nothing but cleverly disguised mini vans that men will drive.... Get over it...

    P.S. I personally think that smooth curving surfaces make a vehicle look more feminine that squared off sharp edge surfaces...Guess why...
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    "In my opinion, All of these small SUV/CUV are nothing but cleverly disguised mini vans that men will drive.... Get over it..."

    Show me a mini van that can keep pace with the CX-7/RAV 6/Santa 6 and I'll buy it! :)

    And in response to your Q, I give up, why?
  • mike1111mike1111 Member Posts: 93
    I've looked at them all and i like the Murano SL and the RAV4 V6 Limited the best.The Mazda was to small for a family of 4.The Honda seemed underpowerd.The Santa Fe looked nice but i busted my head getting into it and my head was pressing on the roof.I like the RAV4 but the seats are a little short in leg room.I'm leaning toward the Murano SL cause it's just so comfortable.I don't mind the CVT BUT it does sap the power on some stop and go driving.Passing in the Nissan is real quick.Still 5,000 more than a RAV4 is the only thing holding me back.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    What about the Edge?
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Do you think the Edge pricing is a little lofty?
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    No. It's cheaper than the Murano which is it's closest competition. It's not cheap but you get what you pay for.
  • philmophilmo Member Posts: 77
    The Murano price climbs quickly once you start adding the "I wants" over the "I needs". Also, how will you feel if a significant redesign shows up next summer? It certainly is due.
  • mike1111mike1111 Member Posts: 93
    You know i saw an edge at the Ford dealer and just drove past it.It does look ok but the reviews to date have'nt been glowing and i'm a little turned off by Ford at this time.Maybe i'll stop in this weekend and take a look at it up close
  • mike1111mike1111 Member Posts: 93
    I read that a redesign was upcoming but i like the look of the Murano as it is now so i'm not to worried about it.Whatever i end up buying i plan on keeping for awhile.I like the SL with Tourning package.MSRP is 36,000 but i'm gonna try to get one OTD for about 33,000 or 34,000.
  • cxrabbitcxrabbit Member Posts: 134
    It's interesting how it's all a matter of perspective. Like you I test drove a lot of them and my impressions of the CR-V were the same (underpower) and I hated the side-opening rear door on the Rav 4. But between the Murano and the CX-7 I prefered the Mazda. The Murano was nice but felt way too big for me and certainly didn't have the same sporty-feel handling. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice SUV, I just felt overwhelmed by it compared to the CX-7... and for my family of 4 the CX-7 was perfect, not too small at all.
  • srangersranger Member Posts: 106
    Show me a mini van that can keep pace with the CX-7/RAV 6/Santa 6 and I'll buy it!

    Since they are all mini-vans, I assume that the all of them can keep pace with themselves...

    As far as I know, there is no law that says a mini van can't be sporty.....?

    And in response to your Q, I give up, why?

    In my opinion, curves give a vehicle a feminine look because women usually have nicer curves than men. I think a Corvette for example looks feminine...

    P.S. I love the little CX-7... If it had a decent towing capacity ( i.e. my boat 2500lb boat ) I would buy one, but it is still a mini-van...
  • cxrabbitcxrabbit Member Posts: 134
    LOL a minivan? I don't think so. Call it that all you want if you think it looks like one but without the sliding doors or three rows of seats it can hardly be considered a minivan. Most people who've seen mine think it looks like a Lexus SUV. I don't know that I agree with THAT either, but I've heard it now from at least 4 different people.
  • srangersranger Member Posts: 106
    LOL a minivan? I don't think so. Call it that all you want if you think it looks like one but without the sliding doors or three rows of seats it can hardly be considered a minivan. Most people who've seen mine think it looks like a Lexus SUV. I don't know that I agree with THAT either, but I've heard it now from at least 4 different people.

    If it makes you happy to belive that, I see nothing wrong with it...
  • carlitos92carlitos92 Member Posts: 458
    If it makes you happy to belive that, I see nothing wrong with it...

    And I am not offended by your lack of education. Now, quit trying to stir stuff up. ;)
  • d_hyperd_hyper Member Posts: 130
    Some people may see a minivan in RX-8. No offence, of course. If anything, CX-7 can be considered a tall wagon, which it is.
  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    Since we've flogged this horse (Is it Feminine or Masculine), let's see how this flies...

    What is an SUV? What is a wagon? What is a van?

    One person inferred that the CX-7 is a Van.

    Another said the CX-7 is a wagon.

    And of course, the CX-7 is more akin to an SUV.

    So, what defines an SUV?

    Think back to the 70's when wagons were popular. How can the CX-7 look anything like a wagon?

    and the CX-7 looks like a mini-van? For real?

    Ok, ladies and gentlemen, define point by point, what is a van VS a wagon VS an SUV.

    Vince.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Edmunds has quickie definitions on the New Cars pages.

    SUV

    A vehicle that offers available four- or all-wheel-drive and raised ground clearance in combination with a two- or four-door wagon or convertible body

    Wagon

    A car with a wagon body configuration and a roofline that extends past the rear doors.

    Minivan

    A vehicle with a short hood and a box-shaped body enclosing a large cargo/passenger area.

    Crossovers are considered market segments on those pages but I suspect a little digging would turn up some definitions for them around here.
  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    "Edmunds has quickie definitions on the New Cars pages.

    SUV

    A vehicle that offers available four- or all-wheel-drive and raised ground clearance in combination with a two- or four-door wagon or convertible body

    Wagon

    A car with a wagon body configuration and a roofline that extends past the rear doors.

    Minivan

    A vehicle with a short hood and a box-shaped body enclosing a large cargo/passenger area.

    Crossovers are considered market segments on those pages but I suspect a little digging would turn up some definitions for them around here."


    Well, there you go! Matter settled! CX-7 is most closely aligned with the SUV!!!!

    Ok disagreers, speak up! :P
  • srangersranger Member Posts: 106
    For me it is simple:

    SUV

    Drivetrain - It must have 4 wheel drive, Locking Differential, Locking Hubs, a skid plate, and a low gear range. It also has to have enough engine and trans to tow 3500-5000lb. Any vehicle that can't tow at least 3500lb is NOT an SUV.

    Interior - Room for Five Adults and enclosed cargo area. A Removable bed cover over a crew cab type truck would be an acceptable definition...

    I stand firm in that these little so called "suv" without the proper drivetain are just mini vans ( possibly tall wagons ) that men will be caught dead driving...

    In short, a real SUV is what you use to tow the guy out of the woods that though he was driving an SUV...
  • d_hyperd_hyper Member Posts: 130
    Old habits die hard... What you described is a TRUCK :)
    There's no Sport in this type of the SUV.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    You forgot the braking requirement..... ;)
  • defreitasmdefreitasm Member Posts: 152
    I am talking from a handling perspective. Rugged might be a different comparison alltogether. I have put over 1000 miles on my CX7. I am very happy with it in the way it handles, accelerates, rides, and holds the road. Having said that, it is still not the driving machine that my Audi or VW is. My Jetta is the 2005 "New" Jetta 2.5
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    Absolutely. The CX-7 was never intended to compete with the likes of Audi or VW. Its an SUV. I had a TT. Killer handling. Miss the TT most.
  • carlitos92carlitos92 Member Posts: 458
    Well, that's cool. But for starters, the EPA, NHTSA, Edmunds, and as a rule - the car manufacturers - disagree with you. To each his own.

    The flip side of the coin is, I think the "real men" who drive the "real SUVs" you describe in an urban environment (or as commuter vehicles) either have a screw loose, or a trouser confidence problem.

    Personally, I gave up my 14 mpg F-150 4X4 when I finally realized I don't move house that often or work on a farm. Also, the post-apocalyptic nuclear winter I always bragged about being able to slog through in the thing never came. So I bought "a tall wagon" instead. ;)
  • srangersranger Member Posts: 106
    Well, that's cool. But for starters, the EPA, NHTSA, Edmunds, and as a rule - the car manufacturers - disagree with you. To each his own.

    The flip side of the coin is, I think the "real men" who drive the "real SUVs" you describe in an urban environment (or as commuter vehicles) either have a screw loose, or a trouser confidence problem.

    Personally, I gave up my 14 mpg F-150 4X4 when I finally realized I don't move house that often or work on a farm. Also, the post-apocalyptic nuclear winter I always bragged about being able to slog through in the thing never came. So I bought "a tall wagon" instead.


    I understand your desire to convience yourself that you really wanted to get rid of the truck...

    P.S. It's ok....
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    If your going to patronize someone you may want to consider spell checking your responses. That aside, well done. Very entertaining to read... ;)
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    If your going to patronize someone ...

    even spell check won't correct it to you're. ;)

    We may as well stick to the topic rather than pointlessly chiding each other over trivial spelling errors.

    tidester, host
  • fonefixerfonefixer Member Posts: 247
    Have about 4000 miles on a Cx-7 and like most everything about it except the MPG. Getting 16.5 mpg strictly in town driving.Except for gas cap replacement, seems to be a reliable machine.
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    Actually, you are quite right. An "SUV" by definition is a passenger vehicle with the tow capacity of a pick-up.

    However, if you read closely, you are in a thread that consists of "crossover SUV's" Crossover SUV's by definition uses a car design and components for lighter weight and better fuel economy.

    This new type of vehicle came about from the numerous complaints by consumers to the manufacturers about the undesirable "truck-like" ride and demands for a "car-like" ride.

    Mazda Tribute=SUV
    Mazda CX-7=crossover SUV
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    And the Tribute is not a crossover SUV how? :)

    Mazda Tribute=crossover SUV
    Mazda CX-7=crossover SUV


    fixed ;)
  • sssfegysssfegy Member Posts: 132
    The Tribute has a car frame(626) but a truck suspension, intended to be a softer ride, which does not make it a crossover. Somewhere in between!
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    It's not a crossover? So what is it? What's somewhere in between called?

    Is the Escape a crossover then? How about the Mariner?
  • pelican19pelican19 Member Posts: 323
    Tidester,

    These forums are for an exchange of information. Every now and then some of us enjoy a bit of fun. If you look back sranger was doing just that. I thought I would jump in. Again, just having a bit of fun no harm was intended.

    P.S.

    " CHIDING " Nice! Had to look that one up...:)
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Every now and then some of us enjoy a bit of fun.

    And so do some of the hosts. :)

    tidester, host
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    I apologize. I should have been a bit more clear.

    The Mazda Tribute v6 with the tow package has a tow cap. of 3500lbs. It also is a 4x4, not AWD. So, by the original definition of a "SUV", if we are to go by that (tow cap. of a truck in a passenger vehicle), the Tribute V6 w/tow is an "SUV".

    I am well aware of that platform the Tribute is based off of, basically making it a crossover SUV. As stupid as this whole thing sounds, the Tribute V6 w/tow is a "SUV", the other trim levels are "crossover SUV's", if you want to go by the definition of what an SUV and a crossover SUV is.

    My original point was to show how the CX-7 is a "crossover SUV" (which I happen to prefer), and how the Tribute can be considered an "SUV"

    Really stupid, I know. Just makes good debate :shades:
  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    So, let me get this straight. The Tribute V6 w/tow is an SUV but without, it's a crossover?

    So, using that same analogy, a CX-7 w/towing can be considered an SUV while a CX-7 without towing is a cross-over? :confuse:

    Vince. :shades:
  • sssfegysssfegy Member Posts: 132
    I do not agree with the definsion period! ;) To me the difference lays in suspension( resolutes into the hgh center of gravity)..that's why nobody cares about roll-overs in sedans...a truck is flaud! So anything with 3 stars or less on roll over testing, and even then there might be exceptions (I don't think the new Rav is a crossover..it still feels like a triuck in it's responses).
  • berniedgberniedg Member Posts: 54
    I think theres only 3 primary categories.
    Cars, vans, and trucks/suvs.
    The 4th is a hybrid called wagons/ crossovers.

    Cars handle well and get good gas mileage.
    Wagons/crossovers, can hold more luggage, and offer awd.
    Vans hold maximum amount of people and cargo space, a very useful box, or "living room" on wheels, but no full frame.
    Trucks are working vehicles, no more no less.
    SUVS are covered trucks, that still have min.3500lb towing with limited passenger compartment, due to high floor/ground clearance.

    The new crossovers are modified wagons, that sit higher off the road. I think they are useful for people who don't need trucks, but enjoy the truck image, however, they are no longer specialists. They dont accomplish the primary tasks, of cars, vans, or trucks exceedingly well. BUT then again I haven't tried the new Honda MDX.
    After testing a Cx7, try driving a BMW3-wagon. Thats the superior wagon !
  • chstr1chstr1 Member Posts: 3
    Yeah, I got me one of them; it's a Toyota Tundra pickup. My SUV is just that.....a utility vehicle. I love it, but try to take my truck away and you will wake up with something busted. ;);)
This discussion has been closed.