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

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Comments

  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    Oh boy, you're gonna get some arguments on that comment! :P

    Yes, it's not 1985 anymore, but american car makers still haven't figured out how to make good cars. Yes, the fusion is doing well, but that's just a lonely, isolated example. The american buyer, by and large, has figured out that Toyota/Nissan/Honda/Mazda/Hyundai, as a group, far outstrip the American Big 3, in terms of reliability and quality. The numbers speak for themselves. Why do you think the American Big 3 are loosing their shirts in the market place? Hmmmm? It's because Toyota, who for the first time, dominates. It's quality and reliability. Period. And as for the Edge, look at the early figures...It's not doing so well.

    I rest my case.

    Vince. :shades:
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    The latest JD power 3 or 5 yr reliability survey will prove you wrong. I'll see if I can find it.

    The fusion is not a lonely, isolated case. All of the new Ford products introduced in the last 3 years have proven very reliable (Mustang, F150, Fusion, 500/Taurus). Same with GM. Not sure about Chrysler.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Here is the 2006 reliability rankings of 2003 models. Note that Nissan, Mazda and Hyundai rank far below Ford and Chevy and Mercury, Buick and Cadillac are beaten only by Lexus and are ahead of Toyota, Honda and Acura. And this is not initial quality or first year reliability - these are 3 year old cars. Add in the Fusion and 500 and remove the Taurus and Ford should be even higher on the 2009 survey.

    Welcome to 2007.

    http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/MostDependableCar.- aspx
  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    Now contrast that with Consumer Reports. MSN is heavily subsidized by advertising dollars and therefore, subject to those influences. CR, on the other hand, is not. I place full faith and credence in an independent testing organization that has decades of experience behind it. Take your pick.

    Vince.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Apparently you didn't read the article. That report came from JD Power, not MSN. Surely you don't think JD Power is biased, do you?
  • d_hyperd_hyper Member Posts: 130
    What a great piece of statistics that is: "The study gives all problems equal weight; the most common ones reported were wind noise and loud brakes.". :shades:
  • davesuvdavesuv Member Posts: 149
    I have no doubt that the domestic automakers are trying hard to increase their product reliability. The Japanese and Korean companies are likewise trying to further increase their statistics (look how rapidly Hyundai is rising). At this point in time, I don't think it's all that helpful for a consumer to lump all a manufacturers vehicles together and say, for example, that Toyota is better than GM. Each manufacturer has a range of vehicles, each with different strengths and weaknesses.

    Once I've decided on a particular class of car that I'm interested in (size, style, price, etc.), then I can research to see how the various models in this class compare in reliability. I have to take into account that vehicles are constantly being refined and may have a different reliability than a model 2 or 3 years ago. Of course, whatever the statistics say, it's difficult to ignore what my past experiences have been with various brands as well as those of friends and family. Sometimes it's impossible to stay objective.

    Finally, the reliability is just one factor in selecting a vehicle. I have to balance reliability with feature sets, looks, mileage/performance, safety, comfort, and pricing before I can arrive at my final decision (not necessarily weighted in that order). The car company that can give me the best complete "package" is the one that gets my business. While I grew up in a "Ford family" with my father working at Ford and us always having purchased Ford brands, the winning packages for me over the past 15 years have been supplied by non-domestic brands.

    The real winner is the consumer. Competition has caused cars today to be significantly better than those of just 10 years ago, regardless of brand.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Just because you don't like the results doesn't mean the survey is invalid.

    If they used weights then someone would just argue that the weights are wrong.

    The point here isn't that one brand is better than the other - only that the statement that domestic brands are much worse than the Japanese brands is absolutely not true anymore.
  • d_hyperd_hyper Member Posts: 130
    I thought I made it clear I don't like the criteria. Wind noise or 'loud brakes' has nothing to do with reliability. These things are usually there by design. Yes, people may like them or not, but it's like complaining about 'not enough power', or not meeting EPA numbers. This is not mechanical or electronics failure and shouldn't be counted at all. A better survey would count visits to the dealership to fix something. This one is superstitious at best. Although, I admit, Lexus must have a better sound deadening. ;)
  • chuck68516chuck68516 Member Posts: 195
    Americans are not buying Japanese/Korean cars because they are superior to American cars. They are buying them because they think they are getting a better price than they can get on the American counterpart. Having once owned a Honda, I would never buy another foreign vehicle. But if I were an average, dumb American buyer who sees that the Ford Edge is $33,0000 sticker priced and I see a Honda CR-V similarly equipped with a sticker price of $27,000, I would buy the Honda. Of course I am not an average, dumb American. I realize that Ford hasn't sold vehicles for MSRP for 15 plus years and I buy that better made higher quality Ford Edge for $26,700. I could list example after example of why MOST Americans think the foreign vehicles are "cheaper" priced. Add that to the fact that the foreign car companies can use inferior steel/aluminum/plastics to make the price even lower than what the Big 3 can/will do.

    Someone replied earlier that the reason they wouldn't buy a Ford Edge was that it was 500lbs heavier than a similar [non-permissible content removed] vehicle. To me, heavier equals sturdier, stronger materials, longer lasting. Basically the opposite of every [non-permissible content removed] vehicle I have ever sat in. What would you rather be driving when you get t-boned on the highway? My choice is always going to be the heavier vehicle.

    I have owned a Honda, 2 Pontiacs, 4 Fords, a Chevy and a Hummer H3. Which one do you think had the most problems? The HONDA!!!!! The frame by the drivers side rear wheel somehow decided to crack completely in half for no reason, the radio stopped working which required the whole dash to be pulled out to replace a $10 part resulting in $390 in labor, the power seat quit working TWICE, and my favorite, the horn decided to start honking on its own whenever it felt like it. My Pontiac Grand Prix rear window motor burned out, no biggie $50. No problems with the Chevy or Hummer. No problems on any of the Fords (Edge, F-150, Explorer, except Ranger (center cap of rear wheel fell off, Ford gave me a new one). Have any of you foreign vehicle enthusiasts ever even owned an American vehicle? You guys probably all own Mac's too.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    I understand your argument but that $33K Edge can't be purchased for less than $31K right now. No incentives.
  • carlitos92carlitos92 Member Posts: 458
    Do you really know people paying MSRP for Hondas? Maybe I should start up a car dealership! :P I mean, the $34K Acura RDX was selling for near invoice before it was even out for 6 months... same for the CX-7.

    "Add that to the fact that the foreign car companies can use inferior steel/aluminum/plastics to make the price even lower than what the Big 3 can/will do."

    :confuse: You got some kind of, you know, factual stuff to back that up, Sparky?

    FWIW, of all the cars I've owned, my '93 Civic was by FAR the best in terms of reliability, even in the face of heavy abuse: A real A+. I give my '76 Buick a C+, my '97 F-150 a B+, my '00 Jetta a D, and my '07 Mazda an A- so far... The '85 Cavalier that lived me for a while 15 years ago gets a triple F and middle finger. :P

    As far as weight, everybody has their own beliefs, but the way I look at it, savvy chassis engineering is JUST AS PROTECTIVE as sheer mass. I say Ford took the low road. ...If you've got a nut to crack, you could either use a chisel or a sledgehammer. One of those is easier to carry around, though.
  • chuck68516chuck68516 Member Posts: 195
    Do you want me to post a copy of my sales slip? MSRP 2007 Ford Edge FWD SEL Plus reverse sensing, 6 disc MP3, vista roof, Sirius, MSRP $32,690, price paid $267something. It CAN be done, I did it. The Honda dealer where I looked at CR-V's said "There is too much demand on the CR-V's, you would have to pay sticker." The CR-V I was looking at was #28,900 and didn't have reverse sensing system, memory seats, satellite radio, 6 disc MP3 etc, etc, etc.
  • chuck68516chuck68516 Member Posts: 195
    Do you really know people paying MSRP for Hondas? Maybe I should start up a car dealership! I mean, the $34K Acura RDX was selling for near invoice before it was even out for 6 months... same for the CX-7.

    Mazda makes the CX-7, FORD OWNS MAZDA.
  • chuck68516chuck68516 Member Posts: 195
    As far as weight, everybody has their own beliefs, but the way I look at it, savvy chassis engineering is JUST AS PROTECTIVE as sheer mass. I say Ford took the low road. ...If you've got a nut to crack, you could either use a chisel or a sledgehammer. One of those is easier to carry around, though.

    If you were the nut, would you rather be hit by the chisel or the sledgehammer? Do you think the sledgehammer even feels anything when he hits the nut?
  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    Mr. Kirby, see what you and I started? A shootin' match! :P

    Well, I'm gonna say for the record that you're right * I misread the article. You did well in figurin' out that the Big 3 have finally achieved parity and in some cases, surpassed America's competitors in terms of quality and reliability. Bravo!

    Vince.
  • vbbuiltvbbuilt Member Posts: 498
    * Did y'all think I was going to bow out so gracefully?

    Now, let's see, where's that bridge I was meaning to sell. Someone in Brooklyn just left me a voice mail....
  • chuck68516chuck68516 Member Posts: 195
    I test drove the Honda CR-V, Rav4, Santa Fe, Edge. The only one I liked was the Edge. The [non-permissible content removed] crap was all too expensive, too small, cheap looking. I am not from Osaka for Pete's sake, I am a corn-fed American (6'4" 210lbs).

    If people knew that the Ford really isn't $33,000 they would pick it over the [non-permissible content removed] crap. Our society is so engrained with the belief that foreign = good. We will all be speaking Chinese/Japanese/ within 20 years. Japan West here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • d_hyperd_hyper Member Posts: 130
    Just so you know, you are riding a corn-fed Mazda 6 wagon.
    Knowledge is power.

    Also, nothing is more patriotic than buying the best product out there, so the local brand makes improvements to survive in the global marketplace.
  • carlitos92carlitos92 Member Posts: 458
    "Mazda makes the CX-7, FORD OWNS MAZDA."

    So what? That's why I also mentioned another brand. Face it: Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti, and a host of other import brands AREN't owned by Yanks - and you can buy them for less than MSRP.

    BTW... when Ford owned Aston Martin, do you think you could've gotten a DB9 with a wicked 'Merican discount? :P
  • carlitos92carlitos92 Member Posts: 458
    C'mon now, Chucky. Posting a dissenting opinion is hardly "My Dad could beat up your Dad." If you look at it that way, then you kindof started it by saying "My Dad is the best, and all of your Dads are inferior and people are ignorant for liking them."

    And everyone who's disagreed with you had posted in this forum prior to you, so that hardly makes them trolls. But good luck making a point. Keep trying, and you'll get there eventually.

    And now I have that stupid song from the Edge commercials stuck in my head. Thanks fer nuthin'! ;)
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    MSRP $32,690, price paid $26,7 something. It CAN be done, I did it.

    Only with a $4000 trade-in. That's below dealer COST, much less dealer invoice. Dealers don't give vehicles away - especially the ones that are selling well.
  • goodegggoodegg Member Posts: 905
    I test drove the Honda CR-V, Rav4, Santa Fe, Edge. The only one I liked was the Edge. The [non-permissible content removed] crap was all too expensive, too small, cheap looking.

    The Santa Fe isn't Japanese. It does look a bit bloated to me. The CRV looks the best. The Edge is right there tho. Too bad Ford can't get over the hump with their interiors.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    Add in the Fusion and 500 and remove the Taurus and Ford should be even higher on the 2009 survey.

    So does that mean Hyundai will finish as one of the lead automakers in 2009 (since it finished 3rd place behind Porsche and Lexus in 06 IQS)?

    Just for the record, I believe both the Fusion/500 and overall Hyundai brand will likely perform well in the upcoming years but right now it's all speculation about the 2009 survey.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    I test drove the Honda CR-V, Rav4, Santa Fe, Edge. The only one I liked was the Edge. The [non-permissible content removed] crap was all too expensive, too small, cheap looking. I am not from Osaka for Pete's sake, I am a corn-fed American (6'4" 210lbs).

    If CR-V, RAV4, and Santa Fe are expensive, then so does the Edge. It's a great vehicle and all, but it does have the highest starting MSRP (comparable equipped, I believe Edge still has the highest MSRP).

    I have spent an extensive time in all four of these (and more). I would say the Santa Fe is the all around winner, between features, safety, warranty, look, styling, power, comfort, price and other combinations give the SF the lead in the group. My understanding the Santa Fe has been well-received and doing fantastic for Hyundai.

    By the way, these vehicles are not small as you stated. I had no problem sitting in the third row of the Santa Fe and RAV4, for example, (unfortunately Edge doesn't have one). Regardless, this is not a forum about country, race, etc but rather about vehicles vehicles, their attributes, features, comparisons, etc.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    The CRV looks the best.

    The outgoing model looked pretty good. I am just not sure about the front of the new model. A little better in real-life but by far no looker.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    The 2009 survey will be based on the 2006 models and we're halfway through the 3 yr reliability period. Given that the 06 Fusion and 500 have both been above average in reliability so far (with the Fusion way above average) I think it's a reasonable prediction.
  • d_hyperd_hyper Member Posts: 130
    Please, stop referring to it "reliability survey". It is a "wind-noise" survey.
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    It is a survey of reported "problems" which includes wind-noise. But it also includes mechanical failures and problems and driveability issues. It's an industry standard report. If you don't like it, call J.D. Power.
  • davesuvdavesuv Member Posts: 149
    This report would be more valuable to me if they provided more details, like what were the detailed findings for each category for each model. Is that detailed information available somewhere? I could not find it on the JD Power website. Is there even a listing of what categories the survey was divided up into or a copy of the actual survey they used?

    Also, rankings mean little if the results are so close together as to be statistically insignificant. What I'd really like to see from JD Powers is the numerical value for each car together with it's standard deviation.
  • piastpiast Member Posts: 269
    You must be one of those dumb corn-fed then. Is it something they adding to the corn?

    Edge is far behind competition in performance, fuel economy, price, fit and finish (check any car mag review in recent months. The only thing that helps is that it is based on Mazda (Japanese) platform. Still average dealer sells 3 (three) copies of it every month. Open your hood and honestly tell us how many parts "Made in the USA" do you see? How about yours TV, Video camera, watch, parts inside your computer? See it is all global now, some Ford models have 30% of parts made in the US, and on the other hand Toyota or Honda may have 60%. I don't care to whose rich pockets profit goes, thousands have jobs here assembling, selling and servicing those cars.
    And don't forget to call it crap next time some medical equipment (made in Japan) just saved somebody's life...
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    This is a comparison topic intended to discuss specific vehicles. It is not the place to debate political issues related to domestics versus imports.

    tidester, host
    SUVs and Smart Shopper
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    Must be something in the water. I can't remember seeing so many nasty posters in so many different forums at the same time.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    The 2009 survey will be based on the 2006 models

    So the 2009 survey will feature Porsche, Lexus, Hyundai as the top three most reliable nameplate?
  • akirbyakirby Member Posts: 8,062
    ?huh?
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    You guys probably all own Mac's too.

    Completely off the subject, but, I own 2 Mac's and use a PC at work, the Mac is superior in every way from reliability to being user friendly. The list really goes on and on. :P

    Japanese vehicles tend to be more reliable then American makes, especially in the long run. Their vehicles hold up better as a whole over a long period of time. American makes tend to fall apart, and become less "tight" or reliable. My family has owned numerous Fords with little to no problems, but didn't drive as well once they hit over 100,000 miles as the [non-permissible content removed] brands did. They also required more maintenance at the mileage as well. Where as owning a few Honda's, 1 Toyota, 1 Mitsu. They all felt very secure one hitting 100K. I currently own a Mazda with 30K, and drives like the day I bought it.
  • sidious6688sidious6688 Member Posts: 80
    This is the most ridiculous thread I've yet seen. There is one simple reason to buy foreign - ownership cost over time. If you factor depreciation, gas, taxes, maintenance, repairs etc, the comparison over multiple years of ownership is a joke. American cars costing thousands of dollars less than their competitors are actually much more expensive over time. All thing being equal, I'd love to buy American. However, I'm not about to subsidize a substandard product with my money. I simply cannot afford it, and would not want to promote mediocrity.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Our handy-dandy True Cost to Own tool will let you compare those factors for your potential new car out over 5 years.
  • markanmarkan Member Posts: 48
    My wife and I have spent some time test driving CUV's. We drove the RAV 4, Murano, Santa Fe, Edge, CX7, and Tribeca. All had pluses and minuses. We narrowed it down to the Edge and Tribeca based on the total package of comfort, style, and performance. This will be a tough choice!!!
  • dbp812dbp812 Member Posts: 2
    I have been test driving a Rav4 and a SF. I have always owned a Toyota but I find I really like the SF. My concern is that I don't know much about Hyundai.... reading reviews etc make it sound wonderful.... anyone disapointed that they purchased the SF?
  • gizzer777gizzer777 Member Posts: 335
    I have a 2007 SF SE model and love it. Used to drive Hondas and was also afraid of the OLD reputation Hyundai had. I also have a great hyundai dealer. So far I am not disappointed and I also test drove a rav 4. Noisy and Toyota and Honda's quality is not what they used to be...also like the long Hyundai warranty!

    Good luck on your decision
  • lv2drvlv2drv Member Posts: 132
    I love my SF :D ! Aware of their reputation, I checked with my brother-in-law who is a new car dealer. He says the SF would be a great purchase. They have made huge improvements. I tend to keep my cars for years, so the resale isn't a big issue for me. The fit and finish on my vehicle is great. I've not had the problems others have experienced. The blue lighting at night can be a problem for some. Some say it's too bright, but I'm ok with it. The car is smooth and quiet and I love the XM more than I thought I would. Even with gas prices higher, I sometimes find an excuse to drive somewhere :shades: ; with the sunroof open and the radio going!
  • mpuzachmpuzach Member Posts: 635
    I've had my Santa Fe Limited AWD for a month and couldn't be happier with it. Before buying, I looked at and test drove the Honda CR-V, Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, Chevy Equinox, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Highlander, Dodge Nitro, and the other 2 Hyundai SUVs (Veracruz and Tucson). I chose the Santa Fe because after carefully considering features, styling, driving experience, and warranty, I liked it the best. Notice that I did not mention price. While the Santa Fe is certainly priced attractively (and there are great deals to be had), this is a Hyundai that can stand on its own without having to add the "for the price" qualifier.

    I really wanted to like the CR-V since for not much more $$$ than I ended up paying for my Santa Fe I could have bought a top-end EX with leather and navigation. I test drove one that was perfectly equipped; on the day of the test drive I was ready to buy. As much as I wanted to like it, I didn't. It was under-powered, the interior felt very spartan, and I didn't like that the rear seats didn't fold flat. It's too bad since Honda seems to build vehicles of high quality but this one simply didn't do it for me.

    The other finalist was the Grand Cherokee Limited. What makes them so attractive is the huge discounts (largely affected by rebates) that are available on them. You can buy them at dealer invoice less a $4500 rebate; for that you get a V8 engine, AWD, leather, moon roof, heated seats, upgraded audio system, and tons of other great stuff. In addition, it's available with navigation; in fact, the Jeep nav unit can be dealer-installed in a non-nav vehicle for around $2000. Even though the non-nav Jeep I test drove would have cost me around $5000 more than what I paid for my Santa Fe, I came close to buying it. I really like the V8 (my other car is a 2005 Corvette - what can I say?) as well as the "macho factor" of the Jeep. In the end, though, the Santa Fe won out because it's more spacious (especially in the back seat and cargo areas), has a nicer interior (than a $40,000 Jeep!), and...get ready for this...it's more fun to drive. For me there was no denying it. Add to that the great Hyundai warranty and owner reviews compared to the Jeep's lousy warranty (3/36,000) and lukewarm reviews and the decision becomes even easier.

    I could tell similar stores about the Santa Fe's other competitors but you get the idea. While it's not perfect, it's very good. My list of niggles is short:

    Navigation is not available. This alone came close to being a deal breaker for me. It's rumored that Hyundai will be offering a factory nav unit on the 2008 model. If true, I'm hoping that I can buy the unit through my dealer's parts department and have it installed in my 2007; if that doesn't happen I may consider an aftermarket in-dash unit although I'm very hesitant to disrupt the stunning appearance of the dash is it currently is.

    Xenon headlights are not available. I've had them on my last 3 vehicles as well as on my current Corvette and they're fantastic.

    While the blue interior lighting is fantastic (it's very cool!), it's a little annoying that the switches for the moonroof, HomeLink, and outside mirrors aren't backlit. The good news is that everything else is nicely lit, including the front cupholders and the steering wheel buttons for the audio system and cruise control.

    I have just the base audio system. While it has XM and can play MP3 discs (both EXCELLENT features), sound quality is just "OK". The only way to get the upgraded Infinity system in the Limited is to get the Ultimate Package (moonroof, rear DVD entertainment system, 605-watt Infinity system, power front passenger seat, 115V power outlet). Since we have no kids and our back seat will rarely be occupied, we opted out of that and went with just the Premium Package (moonroof). I'm going out later today to look at and listen to speaker upgrades; that ought to solve the "problem".

    No auxiliary jack to connect MP3 player.

    Carpeted floor mats are optional? C'mon, Hyundai - stop being so cheap!

    The instruments look kind of goofy IMO. Maybe it's just the font but they look like they could have come out of an old Rambler!

    I'd like to see turn signal repeaters on the side mirrors or front fenders.

    The rear bumper-mounted lights don't do anything. On Santa Fes produced for other markets they serve as rear fog lamps - why not here?

    While the material used on the top of the dash and the tops of the doors looks good, it's hard plastic with no cushion to it. A little cushioning in the material would provide a higher-quality feel.

    That's pretty much it. The Santa Fe is so beautifully-designed and well-executed that it's tough to find many flaws. When I first looked at it I couldn't believe all of the features I saw on the Limited that I test drove:

    5-speed auto with Tiptronic
    HomeLink
    Auto-dimming inside mirror with electronic compass
    Electronic Stability Control
    Traction control
    Illuminated cup holders!
    XM radio and MP3 disc playback
    Driver's seat power lumbar adjustment
    Completely flat rear compartment storage, even when rear seats are down
    Huge underfloor storage (5-passenger models)
    Smooth, quiet, powerful V6 (3.3 liter)
    Dual exhaust outlets - looks very cool!
    Reclining rear seats!
    18" wheels
    Heated seats
    Dual zone automatic climate control
    Front fog lights
    Plenty of interior storage (including a useful compartment on top of the dash)

    You get the idea. I point these things out because some of them are easily missed during a short test drive. Bottom line: The Santa Fe is great! I highly recommend it. Good luck.
  • philmophilmo Member Posts: 77
    My perception of Hyundai is that they're really working hard to come up in the automotive food chain, and that their efforts are being noticed by the automotive press -- and customers.

    As I've posted in the past, if I had to buy a new SUV today to replace my 98 Grand Cherokee -- which needed $700 worth of rear-end work this week, so that time may be coming sooner than later -- that I'd get the Santa Fe. Now that the Veracruz is on the lots I'd look at that as well. Fortunately for me, just down the street are the Subaru folks where the formerly hideous Tribeca has had a nose job and may also be a candidate.

    My hard-chargin', low-rangin' Jeep days may be over but I still need to have a wide lift gate for a pontoon boat frame. The barn door on the Rav4 is a deal-breaker. The Santa Fe lift gate is at least 45 inches wide on a slight diagonal. Something you don't worry about when youre shopping for a car but makes life difficult when you're trying to get that big box home from Best Buy or Costco.
  • lv2drvlv2drv Member Posts: 132
    mzupach-I liked your post. It was very thorough and you brought up things I had forgotten about-and even some that aren't important to me; like the nav and audio. The one thing that struck me was the lack of xenon headlights. I would really liked to have had those but it wasn't a deal breaker. Do you think there will be aftermarket xenon headlight bulbs? I don't think I would like to replace the whole assembly, but if someone made bulbs, I'd be quick to buy them.
  • leeharvey418leeharvey418 Member Posts: 38
    It would be impossible for anyone to make a drop-in xenon 'bulb'. The thing to worry about with HID headlamps is how to get the high-voltage power to them. You could probably make a power supply that would work with the existing electrical system to power the HID lights, but I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for putting a warranty on the thing. Unless the power supply is integrated into the vehicle electronics from the beginning (or adaptability is designed in), adding xenon headlamps is asking for trouble.
  • pongspongs Member Posts: 14
    Here's a link for an aftermarket HID headlamps.

    http://www.koreanautoimports.com/store/index.php?cPath=31_27_51

    This might work.
  • chelentanochelentano Member Posts: 634
    I agree, Santa Fe is a better choice over RAV4, but SF is little short on features, if you'd compare it to Outlander. You've mentioned the Outlander... Not only the Outlander has both LED and Xenon lights, but Xenons also available in multiple colors. Add to it 6-speed auto w/paddle shifters, MP3 music server, Navigation, FAST-key, keyless ignition, iPod jack, bluethooth, split liftgate (none of these available on SF). You can check out its standing against RAV on this page
  • mpuzachmpuzach Member Posts: 635
    Admittedly, the Outlander is available with features that are not available on the Santa Fe. Xenons and navigation are especially attractive. While it's obviously a personal preference, I don't care for the Outlander's styling (in or out) though I'm sure a lot of people do. All factors considered, I'm pleased with my choice of Santa Fe Limited AWD.
  • chelentanochelentano Member Posts: 634
    >> All factors considered, I'm pleased with my choice of Santa Fe Limited AWD.

    The SF is an excellent SUV. Interior is especially nice. May I ask, how much did pay for it?
This discussion has been closed.

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