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Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Santa Fe vs Jeep Liberty vs Ford Escape vs Saturn Vue

4940 messages,  Last post on Sep 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Liberty, Ford Escape, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Saturn VUE, SUV

#11 of 4940 Wrestling with Santa Fe/Tribute Decision by joinmi Dec 28, 2000 (3:00 pm)
I am down to deciding between Tribute and Santa Fe. I am looking for info on the 4WD systems. Tribute appears to really be an all wheel drive system that can be locked in to keep the power from shifting back to the front wheels. Is the Santa Fe system similar, or is it true full time 4-wheel drive. Also, for those with experience with the Tribute, I am wondering if the automatic transmission shift on the drive column is a constant annoyance or if you get used to it. The thing is so long I almost knocked the one I test drove out of gear trying to operate the radio. Input is appreciated.
#12 of 4940 Also torn between Sante Fe and Tribute by sliwinski1 Dec 30, 2000 (7:00 pm)
I'm glad to see there are other like minded people out there. As much as the Scoobie Forester was a great value, ride and AWD (it's awesome), I just couldn't get comfortable in the seat. My dog just barely fit (height-wise).   I finally found a Tribute, they're selling like mad in Chicago, and took a test drive. A Dx-V6. The seating was ok, but the driving in snow condition was a little sketchy. I'm a competent off-roader, and I know this vehicle is not for off-road, I have a Cherokee for that. But the tires are mediocre and the traction was mediocre. (No ABS) I did not get stuck, but slipped alot. I engaged the diff lock and it was a bit better. I did not get stuck but when I used the brakes, the sliding distance was not comforting. (Kudos to the Suby's AWD)   I then went and test drove the Santa Fe GLS for the second time and found that despite the sluggish start, which doesn't bother me, the handling was better in 6-8" deep snow covered road. The tires are better and I gave it a good slalom on a close by forest-preserve road. It slipped a little bit but it didn't worry me. The sporty feel was good and the road handling was good also. During the slalom test the vehicle did not rock or tip, like a cherokee does.   I'm somewhat apprehensive about the Hyundai name. But you know Honda and Toyota did't get off to a great start either in the U.S.   Although here's some food for thought. Look and touch (push) the front and rear bumpers, and front wheel panels of both Santa Fe and Tribute. All three features on the Tribute were soft and weak. I checked each on the Santa Fe and they were appreciably stonger. Now I'm no crash test scientist, but I suspect I'd put my money on the Sante Fe when the test results come out. (Can you tell I was on the web for too long looking at crash stats). No stats on the Sante Fe or Tribute yet.   My biggest obstacle right now with the Sante Fe is that the rear seats do not fold flat. My 110 lb. dog was not too happy about that, even though he fit just fine in the cargo area. (I've got two dogs).   Good reviews on the WEB for both.   I suspect I'll be making my decision after the first of the year. Replies to this message: metrowmn (Dec 08, 2004 1:20 pm)
#13 of 4940 Hmm... This topic interested me by kostamojen Dec 30, 2000 (8:32 pm)
Ive been out car window shoping as I always do but anyway, just 2 days ago, we were at the local Mazda/Subaru dealer (Yup, same place) and I sat in both the Forester and the Tribute again (I wanted a better look at the Tribute, and I always sit in all the cars on the lot )...   And anyway, after sitting in several other models (Protege, MPV, Impreza, Legacy) I then sat in the Tribute... I was horendusly suprised to find the interior pannels to be extremely flimsily put together... So I sat in another model, top of the line w/ leather this time... Same thing... Then another... Same thing... This bothered me tremendously. So then of course, i went and sat in the Forester... Nothing flimsy there. Lackluster maybe (tribute was more so IMO), but not flimsy. And considering the Recalls, perhaps the Tribute is a rather poor put together vehicle... And a couple months ago, I was able to check out the Santa Fe. Guess where? Maita Subaru/Hyandai where my mom got her Legacy GT Sedan I found the price of the Santa Fe apealing, especially for having a V6 + 4WD (Definatly the lowest price for that, Tribute/Escapes get in the $22k+ range, and the Rav4 w/ 4x4 = $21k plus, all with less features than the Santa Fe...) I was also suprized at the Hyandai build quality, definatly a step up for them. Hyandai also has their new DX something orether thats a rather upscale Sedan... I doubt we can consider the "new" Hyandai to be so... Lackluster, no?   Anyway, on to a more comprehesive comparison-   Looks: Definatly the Tribute wins this, with the bulbous Santa Fe coming in dead last... (PS, check out a black Forester S with a Spoiler... Thats pretty sweet looking!) Off-road ability: Not the forester... But none of these are major Off-roaders. ANY road maybe, but not off-the road (PS, Subaru's AWD is a big plus in "Real Life" conditions. Also note: Subaru's outstanding Rally racing reputation) Ground Clearance: This is pretty suprizing... 8.4 (higher trim Tributes), 8.1 (Santa Fe) and 7.5 (Forester)... Despite the Forester's small stature and lack of "view height" it still compromizes little in ride height (Also note: Outbacks have like 6.5 inch ground clearance, and the Impreza's have 5+ inch ground clearance... Go look under the car's if you have a chance, its neat) Quality: Subaru wins this one. Foresters have very good reliability, as do all current Subaru models. Tribute bottems this group, but I havent heard anything bad about the Santa Fe yet... Fuel Mileage: Subaru wins this one too, not by much though... (like 21/28 vs. 19/23 (SF v6) and 19/24 (Tri V6)) Warranty: Duh, Hyandai! On-road Performance: Forester... Better turning radius, lower center of gravity, and suprizingly good car-like handling put it at the top still... Despite the Tributes faster 0-60 time. Cargo room: 33.1 Tribute, 32 Forester, 30.5 Santa Fe Weight: 3200lbs Forester, 3400lbs Tribute (V6 4x4), 3700lbs Santa Fe (V6 4x4) Price: Santa fe wins this easy... V6+4wd for #21k... But the Forester is right there, minus the V6 (Note, Foresters boxer 4 = 165hp, its no slouch, and its rather light as well) Tribute takes 22k+ for the same ammenities. (Check Carpoint.com, its easier to tell than Edmunds)   Final Analysis: This one goes down to Personal Opinion purely... Best Price + V6 + Warranty for the Santa fe? Or, Better Reliability + Better Mileage + Proven Subaru AWD? Or More interior room + More HP + Higher ride height?   After going over these stats, the Santa Fe has re-caught my attention. But the Forester still holds the candle IMO... Tribute would easily be my favorite, if not for the shoddy build quality, uncomfortable interior, and very bad reliability problems so far...
#14 of 4940 I WAS torn between the Tribute and the Santa Fe... by doverly Dec 31, 2000 (7:15 am)
I had been following the Tribute on the Mazda web site for 9 months when they finally hit the dealerships. I was convinced it was the vehicle for me. Test drove it and loved it--except the gear shift lever drove me crazy--awkward and an eye sore. Couldn't get one ready built with my options, so I was holding out. Dealers said they were selling faster than they could get them, which is why they claim they had only a few. However, I wasn't seeing any out on the road. Then I came to Edmunds and read about all of the problems and stop sales, and I think this is the real reason they don't have any on the lots. I felt like the Mazda dealerships (I visited about 6)were very underhanded about the whole thing--never giving me a straight answer. I saw a commercial for the manta be (didn't even know it existed), went and tested it. At first I wasn't sure because I had been set on the Tribute for so long, I couldn't get out of that mind set. I bounced back and forth, testing both vehicles a multiple of times. The Mazda dealerships looked at me like I was speaking in Korean when I said I was also looking at the SantaFe. The ones who would admit that they knew what a Santa Fe was would only say "Well, the SantaFe doesn't compare to the Tribute!" (They could give me no substantiation for that claim). The Hyundai dealers were extremely professional and knew all about the Tribute and could tell me point by point what was better about their Santa Fe. Bottom line, I bought a Santa Fe over Thanksgiving weekend and I love it!! Several factors: I felt that the interior appointments on the Santa Fe were much better than Tribute--styling and attention to detail, more luxurious. The gear shift is on the floor, so it's not in the way. It came with heated seats, (don't laugh--if you live in a cold climate or you've ever ridden in a car that has them--they're a must!). Little things--the visors in the Mazda seemed cheap, mirrors didn't light up, they do on the SantaFe. I love the way the SantaFe rear hatch is so easy to open. Center arm rest in the back seat of the SantaFe. Hidden cargo storage compartment. 4 wheel drive automatically engages (I think on the Tribute you have to engage it yourself.) I could go on and on. All in all, I felt the Hyundai was sturdier, better built and was more stylish inside and out. The Tribute looks so plain and boxy to me now, so much like the CRV. I have 1700 miles on my SantaFe, no problems at all, and it drives beautifully. The engine starts off slowly when it's been sitting overnight in 20 degree temps, but it heats up fast and can really sail. I got the LX with heated seats, floor mats, roof rack rails, etc. for $24,400 out the door (DC area.-College Park Hyundai) Downside: no sun roof, although I can have one installed privately for $895 with lifetime warranty, and no cassette in radio. Don't count it out because it's a Hyundai, it defies any prior opinion you've had or heard before!! People who stop and ask me about it (and I have had MANY) "can't believe it's a Hyundai!" P.S. The rear seats DO fold down Sliwinski1, so there should be plenty of room for pooch (what made you think that they didn't?)
#15 of 4940 Tribute 4WD Switch by ruteger Jan 01, 2001 (1:51 am)
Under normal driving circumstances, the Tribute/Escape 4WD system engages exactly the same as the Forester/Santa Fe in that the computer automatically senses torque slippage and controls how the power is applied to which wheels. On dry pavement, the split is something like 90% drive to the front wheels/10% to the rear. The 4WD switch on the dash of the Tribute/Escape is for *locking* the 4WD into a 50/50 drive split. This is why the switch says 'LOCK' on it.   This is a nice feature to have if you get stuck because you can control how the traction is applied to all four wheels. If you don't have this, like on the Forester or Santa Fe, you can get stuck because traction will be applied by the computer to the wheel that is free. You'll sit and spin, just like an open differential 2WD car.   The only problem is exactly what's happening now. Uninformed consumers think that the switch on the dash is required to get 4WD on the Escape/Tribute. They're going to be locking the 4WD unnecessarily and it's going to cause damage to the system if it is engaged all the time, meaning warranty repairs. I can foresee Ford/Mazda eliminating the switch in the near future, and it's too bad, because it's a good feature to have.
#16 of 4940 Leaving the switch on by sliwinski1 Jan 01, 2001 (8:42 am)
Ruteger, you're right about the lock switch on the Tribute. When I test drove the Tribute, I knew about this feature. When I drove around their snow filled parking lot with the lock off, the Tribute struggled and slipped in the 5-7" of snow. Now I know this is not a off-road SUV, and I engaged the differential lock to get equal push from both axels. It still was slippy although it got me through without a problem. I also know that even the Cherokee with its low gear 4WD can get stuck. And you are right that if the uninformed consumer left the lock on they may cause problems. However, I have heard that uninformed consumers also leave their 4WD on in larger SUV's when their not supposed to. I guess the dealer should take some time to explain this.   I would like to say that probably all the people that have been posting here have done too much research (as I have) and are cautious and informed consumers.   Nonetheless, I still prefer the Santa Fe. No switch, no lock, but I won't be taking it in areas where I would get stuck. If I end up driving off a the side of a highway and can't get out. I suspect the Tribute wont be able to get out either... they both do not have low end range and torque is only good at high RPM's.
#17 of 4940 Leaving the switch on by sliwinski1 Jan 01, 2001 (8:45 am)
Ruteger, your right about the lock switch on the Tribute. When I test drove the Tribute, I knew about this feature. When I drove around their snow filled parking lot, the Tribute struggled and slipped in the 5-7" of snow. Now I know this is not a off-road SUV, and I engaged the differential lock to get equal push from both axels. It still was slippy although it got me through without a problem. I also know that even the Cherokee with its low gear 4WD can get stuck. And you are right that if the uninformed consumer left the lock on they may cause problems. However, I have heard that uninformed consumers also leave their 4WD on in larger SUV's when their not supposed to. I guess the dealer should take some time to explain this.   I would like to say that probably all the people that have been posting here have done too much research (as I have) and are cautious and informed consumers.   Nonetheless, I still prefer the Santa Fe. No switch, no lock, but I won't be taking it in areas where I would get stuck. If I end up driving off a the side of a highway and can't get out. I suspect the Tribute wont be able to get out either... they both do not have low end range and torque is only good at high RPM's.
#18 of 4940 Tribute 4WD Switch by pdebuse Jan 01, 2001 (6:54 pm)
Ruteger, to my understanding the Santa Fe has an option for an ABS/traction control that would provide a similar type of traction that the Escape/Tribute has without the switch. When a wheel slips it is detected and the brakes are applied to stop the slipage which transfers the torque to the other wheels that have traction. Kind of like a limited slip differential but done through the braking system.
#19 of 4940 Article comparing Escape to Santa Fe by ddeemo Jan 02, 2001 (6:25 am)
Here is an article comparing the Escape to the Santa Fe, note versions compared and prices are in Canadian Dollars. http://www.autonet.ca/WOW/Stories.cfm?storyID=1180
#20 of 4940 Subaru's AWD by kens Jan 02, 2001 (1:20 pm)
Actually, with automatic tranny Subarus, you can get the drivetrain split power 50/50 if the gear selector is in 1, 2 or Reverse.   Also, the manual tranny Subarus default power split is 50/50.

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