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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

#3277 of 4940 Mini-SUV's by big_guy Oct 17, 2002 (1:43 pm)
I find it intersting that these comparison boards for the mini SUV's that the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Kia Sportage are never mentioned. Granted, these are older designs, but the topic always comes up that the only "true" SUV's of these mini utes are Jeep Liberty and the Izuzu Rodeo. Both the Suzuki and Kia are ladder on frame construction with low range transfer cases. Not that I am touting these vehicles but I just find it interesting that they are typically excluded from discussions concerning Mini-Suv's.
#3278 of 4940 by diploid Oct 17, 2002 (2:03 pm)
A lot of the time, the discussion revolves around ownership as well. The newer models are the ones that are generally being discussed.   ateixeira- I noticed the Sorento's less than bargain-basement pricing as well. On the other hand, the redesigned Sportage should be the real messiah. Rumor is that the current Sportage will be phased out, and then return a few years later; sort of like a biblical epiphany.
#3279 of 4940 Go with AWD by kernick Oct 17, 2002 (5:14 pm)
I know the Subie is AWD, but I don't know about the others. I say this because if you're mainly on the road and in bad weather, that's the way to go. If you want an offroad vehicle, unless you like throwing money away, get an older truck for a few thousand, and customize it. Buying a $20K-$25K vehicle and getting it dented and scratched seems ridiculous to me. I own a '00 Silverado Z71 - for towing and cargo, not offroad, a '96 Impreza Outback (my winter beater) and an '01 Firebird Formula. I saw you folks discussing gas and mpg. I alternate between 87 and 93 octane Shell gas (also have the Chase credit card)in my Firebird, 5.7L V-8; no pinging (manual said it can run on 87); and consistently get mid-20's - this is an auto, not the 6-speed. My Impreza gets maybe 2 mpg better. I guess arodynamics, engine rpm, and the AWD kill the mileage of the 2.2L in the Impreza.
#3280 of 4940 Korean vehicles by scape2 Oct 17, 2002 (5:16 pm)
have actually improved in quality over the years. What makes them so inexpensive is they are dumping them here in the U.S. Besides when you pay someone $2 an hour vs $25 an hour you can sell your cars for less, right? Sorento has a large engine but no guts to pull the weight around. Face it, the Hyundias/Kia lines sell because they are inexpensive. A dealer by me has a Kia lot and its packed with those Rio sedans, I'm not kidding, hundreds of them! He advertises, 99 dollars down 149 a month for these...
#3281 of 4940 by diploid Oct 17, 2002 (5:56 pm)
"Sorento has a large engine but no guts to pull the weight around."   I wouldn't say it has no guts, but that 3.5L V-6 could crank out more ponies than it currently does. Nissan can crank out 240hp and 265 lb-ft using the same displacement in the Pathfinder (which the Sorento boldly lists as one of its competitor).
#3282 of 4940 by p0926 Oct 18, 2002 (4:41 am)
scape2- Your point about Korean labor being cheaper is valid but it's been a number of years since the average Korean automobile worker made $2 an hour. FYI: Your bias towards Ford wouldn't be quite so noticeable if you avoided such exaggerations.   -Frank P.
#3283 of 4940 scape2 by dindak Oct 18, 2002 (4:45 am)
You are probably right. I really think Korea is dumping cars here. I know Korea used to have MFN status which meant no duties either, not sure if that is still the case. The people who buy them are generally people that would have bought used but can afford new if they go Kia. I also see alot of students driving them.   I know they are better but I don't trust them for the long haul. My old 91 Cavalier held together for 7-8 years and was still going strong when I sold her. I see alot of 4-5 year old Korean cars on the road with rust and that is scary.
#3284 of 4940 warranty by anonymous02 Oct 18, 2002 (6:00 am)
What is the warranty on the Sorento?   Does it cover body/rust?
#3285 of 4940 by ateixeira Oct 18, 2002 (7:00 am)
The Zooks sell in tiny numbers. Forester alone (which isn't even a very high volume model) outsells the Vitara, Grand Vitara, and XL7 combined.   If you include Trackers that's not the case, but Chevy has about a billion dealerships. OK, slighty exxageration.   The Sportage is quite old and isn't it being phased out anyway?   scape: go drive a the Sorento or a Sedona. That 3.5l engine doesn't make a lot of power on paper, but it offers some very satifying torque at low rpm. It moves the Sedona just fine, actually.   Kia's warranty is very comprehensive. I'm sure they used galvanized steel now, so looking at a decade old Kia or Hyundai isn't really a fair indication of how a new model will hold up.   -juice
#3286 of 4940 p0926 by scape2 Oct 18, 2002 (7:20 am)
Its the truth my friend. Ok, I'll bump Korean labor up to $5 an hour if it make you feel better. Facts are facts, You are sending your money over seas, putting a worker that makes less money to work. How is this Ford bias?? Its the truth.. Korean unions are every bit as strong and fanatic about keeping work at home as our unions here in the U.S. Hyundia is building a new plant in Alabama, did you hear about the strikes and outrage in Korea?? My personal feelings are I try to buy North American, whether it be Honda/Toyota/Ford or soon Hyundia..

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