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SUVs Article Comments: Small AWD SUVs Comparison
151 messages, Last post on Mar 30, 2007 at 4:39 PM
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Article comments for Comparison Test: Small All-Wheel-Drive SUVs - We've gathered three such vehicles for this comparison: the all-new 2006 Toyota RAV4, the 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2007 Mazda CX-7. It'd be uncomplicated to call these three "mini SUVs," but when they're loosely based on midsize sedans Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata and Mazda 6, it'd be more correct to call them midsize crossovers. (more)
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Replying to: fonefixer (Oct 11, 2006 8:59 am) Vince. |
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I just got back after spending the day driving and evaluating small SUVs, and I have to say I came away overly impressed with the Santa Fe Limited. My heart has been set on the new Rav-4 since it debuted the new body style. I didn't think anything would dissuade me from the Rav. I love the looks and it has a great engine. So I began with the RAV, and I was really disappointed. I'm 5'10" and I felt cramped in the drivers seat. My legs were not stretched out to where I'd be comfortable for a long road trip. I have 3 kids and the back seat was entirely inadequate, as the 'middle' seat was hard, no cushion to it. The available 3rd bench is WORTHLESS. Disappointed, I went to Honda. Not a CRV fan, but the car has been getting rave reviews, so what the heck. I'm not sure what Honda was thinking, but I HATE the looks of the CRV. It reminds me of a turtle from the front. Just a bizarre shape, not sporty. Looks like someone squashed a minivan. I do not like the rear extended tail lights at all. The interior was better suited to my family than the RAV 4 but I wasn't thrilled with the lack of a V6 engine option. I'm not spending 25k on a car with that many negatives. Hyundai was next. I really like the styling of the new SF. Looks like a RAV 4 from front and a Lexus SUV in back. I test drove the Limited with Touring option and all the works. I am a Honda/Toyota guy and I'm admittedly biased from Hyundai's early years in the States. I am a member of JD Power and Associates and kept reading about how Hyundai's reliability and quality has been rapidly improving. Well after test driving the SF I believe it. The ride was quiet, even on the freeway at high speeds. Acceleration was excellent, with no slowdown on steep grades. I spun the car in a circle in the parking lot and the turn radius was tight and excellent. And best of all, the 3rd row bench had plenty of room for my two sons. My wife commented on how comfortable the 2nd row ride was. Overall we were both more than happy with the SF, and it shot to the top of our list of next vehicles. Never EVER thought I'd own a Hyundai, but after reading rave reviews from owners and professionals, as well as marks for high quality, I've been won over. After reading this article, I'm going to give the CX-7 a chance. However I don't see the option of a 3rd row seat, so chances are the CX-7 won't meet my needs. Too bad, looks like a fun vehicle. |
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Replying to: scion1969 (Dec 02, 2006 10:51 pm) Look up the reviews on edmunds.com and you'll also find other reviews by googling CX-9. Vince. |
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Replying to: scion1969 (Dec 02, 2006 10:51 pm) paddle shifters, navigation system, Xenon headlights, keyless start system and 650 W sound system. With the same safety features, more rear leg room(39.6in) and cargo room(39cu.ft) in Outlander with two rows of seats trim, same towing (both 3500lbs), same warranty it is coming down to personal taste. When compared to Rav4, except for straight line acceleration, Mitsu and CX7 are better in agility and handling, with better interiors, again Dec MT. There is one of many good Outlander reviews, this one from Cars.com "..The automatic transmission is almost as smooth as the new CR-V's, while the engine provides considerably more power. The combination is far superior to the RAV4 despite the Toyota's higher horsepower figure, and the Outlander is a better highway companion overall.... the Outlander handles steeply banked highway onramps with superb control and minimal body lean, giving the driver a sense of confidence not found in many SUVs — compact, car-based or otherwise. The ride was also car-like. Bumps were softly muted and road noise was minimal...Available with an optional manual four-wheel-drive system, the Outlander is one of the more affordable four-wheel-drive SUVs on the market, ... Surprisingly, the new Outlander seems to outclass its competitors on just about every front"
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Replying to: piast (Dec 03, 2006 1:31 pm) |
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Replying to: pelican19 (Dec 07, 2006 8:54 pm) XLS AWD Outlander at 25K come standard with 3rd row seat, 6 speed trany w. paddle shifters, intelligent keyless entry/ start system, etc. You will pay 28.8 K for above plus heated leather seats, sunroof, 650 W premium audio, and Xenon headlights. Fully loaded with navigation cost 30.615 AWD Limited Santa Fe with packages to match cost 30.8K (Touring + Premium), or 33.4K (Touring + Ultimate) but still without HID headlights, Navigation or FAST key. Are you sure I have missed something? Limited Santa Fe cost 27.9K.
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Autobytel 2007 Editors’ Choice Awards: Mid-size SUV of the Year: Hyundai Santa Fe (unanimous selection) SUV of the Year: Hyundai Santa Fe (unanimous selection)  http://www.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_- int/2305 |
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Autobytel 2007 Editors' Choice Award Best New Small SUV: Honda CR-V   
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Replying to: carfreak8 (Dec 08, 2006 3:18 pm) Here is a sample of other people opinion on AUTOBLOG: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/07/honda-opens-another-design-studio-in-cali/
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Replying to: piast (Dec 08, 2006 3:56 pm) OK, why are sales up so much. In the first month of availability, the CR-V had almost 20,000 sales (~95% increase), when they want to sell only 60,000 in the whole year. As for the comment about being designed for women, that is the freely expressed by Honda target buyer and that is how it has always been. Also, the exterior is an opinion thing, and obviously that is not hurting sales. There is one thing you can't dispute, the tire off the back of the car. As for the no V6 option, Honda's goal has always been to have fuel efficient cars, and that is exactly what it did. The interior in the CR-V is soooo much better than any of its competitors, such as the Rav4, Tucson/Sportage, Escape/Mariner/Tribute, Equinox/Torrent. It has very good in quality, fit and finish, materials, and ergonomics. but the exterior is just mix of strange lines, like put together from parts from different cars You want to talk about taking designs from other automakers, why don't you go look at the Hyundai Entourage/Sedona, Sonata, Azera (go look at my post a few days ago in the Santa Fe forum). I think the goal was to make one different than Element, and in that they delivered. If Honda did not want the two vehicles to look the same, they would not have designed the Element the way they did. The Element was introduced a year later (2003) than the second generation CR-V. All Honda wanted to do was make something not so boring and boxy, and they delivered that.
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