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Hyundai Santa Fe vs Toyota RAV4 vs Mazda CX7 vs Ford Edge

811 messages,  Last post on Sep 15, 2008 at 10:40 AM

You are in the Mazda CX-7 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-7, Ford Edge, Honda CR-V, SUV

Messages Page 81 of 82

#799 of 811 EPA annual fuel costs by ateixeira

Sep 11, 2008 (1:44 pm)

While we're at it, let's look them up...
 
EPA assumes both turbos will be using Premium and that it costs 24 cents more than Regular, and they estimate annual fuel costs for AWD models at....
 
RAV4 V6: $2,670 (on Regular)
Forester XT: $2,842 (on Premium)
Ford Edge V6: $3,119 (on Regular)
Mazda CX7: $3,319 (on Premium)
 
So with that handicap the Mazda takes a serious hit, but the Forester is fuel efficient enough that it will still save you hundreds per year on gas compared to the V6 Edge AWD even if you do use premium fuel.
 
Of course, the fuel miser of the group is the RAV4 V6. I have that powertrain in my Sienna, and the engine is a gem. The transmission is only so-so. I do beat EPA numbers easily in my van, too.
 
I believe above I had suggested a RAV4 V6 and a Forester XT as alternatives, so I'll stick to my guns and say you should try those.
 
We ended up with a Forester Limited, not the turbo, and that thing has been great on fuel. It's no turbo but performance is more than adequate. EPA says it'll cost $2553 per year to fuel up, just for reference.

#800 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [ateixeira] by akirby

Sep 11, 2008 (8:47 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 11, 2008 1:32 pm)
It all depends on how they were tested. If they recommend premium then they were probably tested with premium. If they recommend regular but say premium is optional then the numbers are probably correct for 87 octane.

#801 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [akirby] by ateixeira

Sep 12, 2008 (9:16 am)

Replying to: akirby (Sep 11, 2008 8:47 pm)
The EPA uses the recommended fuel, so for the numbers above both turbos burn premium fuel. The site says so specifically, even estimating prices for the fuel.
 
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm

#802 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [ateixeira] by akirby

Sep 12, 2008 (9:21 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 12, 2008 9:16 am)
So if you run regular the knock sensor will be forced to retard the timing to compensate which will reduce power and fuel economy slightly from the advertised figures achieved on premium.

#803 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [akirby] by ateixeira

Sep 12, 2008 (9:38 am)

Replying to: akirby (Sep 12, 2008 9:21 am)
Yeah, but probably not much.
 
When Subaru's H6 came out and they recommended premium, it made 212hp on 93 octane. Subaru stated the power output with 87 octane was 208hp.
 
Not all that significant.
 
It might be a tad more with a turbo, but both the CX7 and F-XT have plenty of power, so I doubt they'll feel slow at all.

#804 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [ateixeira] by akirby

Sep 12, 2008 (11:04 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 12, 2008 9:38 am)
It's not the power difference - that's minimal and would hardly be noticed except under WOT. Fuel economy would also be lower by 1-2 mpg in most cases.

#805 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [akirby] by ateixeira

Sep 15, 2008 (8:42 am)

Replying to: akirby (Sep 12, 2008 11:04 am)
Dunno about 2mpg, but I'm sure it would drop a bit.
 
Any how, even if you put premium in the Forester you will save hundreds per year on fuel costs vs. the Edge V6, so the price of gas shouldn't stop anyone from getting one.

#806 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [ateixeira] by thegraduate

Sep 15, 2008 (8:53 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 15, 2008 8:42 am)
Any how, even if you put premium in the Forester you will save hundreds per year on fuel costs vs. the Edge V6, so the price of gas shouldn't stop anyone from getting one.
 
That's what happens when the Ford weighs approximately* 700 lbs more than the Subaru. They're just in different classes altogether. The Edge is more Tribeca-sized.

#807 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [thegraduate] by ateixeira

Sep 15, 2008 (8:55 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Sep 15, 2008 8:53 am)
True, but the Tribeca offers a 3rd row.
 
Also, inside, besides width, the Forester doesn't really sacrifice much useable space.
 
The Forester is a lot more space efficient than the Tribeca, FWIW.

#808 of 811 Re: I'm really interested in the Mazda cx7 -torn between that and an Edge [ateixeira] by thegraduate

Sep 15, 2008 (8:57 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 15, 2008 8:55 am)
Ok, a Murano competitor then.
 
The Edge is really roomy (and I know roomy, at 6'5"), and three across do actually fit in relative comfort in the third row.

Messages Page 81 of 82

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