Ask the Car People.SM


Article Comments: Small AWD SUVs Comparison

154 messages,  Last post on Mar 29, 2010 at 10:32 PM

You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda CX-7, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 16

#6 of 154 Comparo by navigator89

Aug 29, 2006 (2:58 pm)

I actually suggested a comparison test involving these SUVs and more on Karl's blog a few days ago, when he commented on the RDX. I'm glad the CX-7 took the gold, although I'm honestly suprised the Santa Fe didn't take 2nd. Guess the Toyota V6 was it's trump card.
 
Anyway my comparison test idea included those 3 plus more SUVs like the Ford Edge, Mitsubishi Outlander, Suzuki XL7, Saturn Outlook, all to be tested with the 3rd row and V6 engines. I like bigger comparison tests as the results are less predictable...more suspense awaits. I hope Edmunds can carry this out soon.

#7 of 154 Santa Fe may have lost in the "mature" category.. by ednardes

Aug 29, 2006 (4:33 pm)

...but the thought of having to drive a frumpy looking minivan(CX-7) or paying near $30k(I know what these really come to at the dealer) for what is supposed to be a cuteute (rav4), kinda makes me doubt these recommendations....

#8 of 154 Re: Santa Fe may have lost in the "mature" category.. [ednardes] by carlitos92

Aug 29, 2006 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: ednardes (Aug 29, 2006 4:33 pm)
Doubt all you want, but if the RAV4 was "supposed to be a cute ute," I doubt Toyota would have gone to the trouble of increasing its size so much and giving it the more truck-like schnoz.
 
And beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but calling the CX-7 a "frumpy looking minivan" is not going to gather too many supporters outside of the "Hyundai Santa Fe Fan Club."

#9 of 154 Re: Thankfully Hyundai didn't win [danf1] by nissan_rocks

Aug 30, 2006 (3:01 am)

Replying to: danf1 (Aug 29, 2006 12:49 pm)
Relax my friend, the Sonata was matched against 2 end of production cars with 4 cyl. In a re-match with the new Camry it's a different story. To boot have you seen the 07 Camry sales, no contest here at all. The Sonata is now lagging behind, even more so when the beautiful Altima comes out soon, ditto for the Accord.

#10 of 154 Re: Santa Fe may have lost in the "mature" category.. [ednardes] by wjbushsr

Aug 30, 2006 (5:02 am)

Replying to: ednardes (Aug 29, 2006 4:33 pm)
"...frumpy looking minivan..."
 
This from a guy who obviously likes driving a rolling brick!

#11 of 154 Cute Utes by tinycadon

Aug 30, 2006 (7:32 am)

Just hope all the guys in here arguing about looks and sizes of the CX-7 vs. * enter ute here * know that the CX-7 is a chick car, it's like getting all worked up about the VW Cabriolet vs. Miata!!! When Mazda 1st started advertising this vehicle they had a commercial where 2 guys are checking it out and one of them says: This guy is THE MAN!!! And then this tall skinny woman smiles at them and drives off. What a marketing blunder that was, totally turned me off to that car, and seeing how I haven't seen it since, it looks like the Mazda marketing folks got that one off the air VERY quickly. But the visual damage was done, this vehicle is the SUV equivalent to the VW Jetta. So when more of these vehicles start hitting the road, pay close attention to who's behind the wheel, doubt they'll be a lot of "testosterone" zipping around .

#12 of 154 Re: Cute Utes [tinycadon] by wjbushsr

Aug 30, 2006 (8:29 am)

Replying to: tinycadon (Aug 30, 2006 7:32 am)
At 6'3" and a Marine Corps Veteran, I'm hardly lacking testoterone.
If your intellect tells you not to buy a car simply because a TV commercial shows a woman driving, my guess is you're driving a Model T!
In the real adult world the only "chick" car is the one she went to the dealership and picked out and purchased for herself!
My wife would rather drive her Expedition than my CX-7!
 
As for me, I still enjoy my football, baseball, basketball but not soccer, I work in a refinery, and all of my bro's are impressed with the "zoom-zoom" my car has!

#13 of 154 Re: Cute Utes [tinycadon] by vbbuilt

Aug 30, 2006 (8:34 am)

Replying to: tinycadon (Aug 30, 2006 7:32 am)
In your case, that advertising worked. Because of that commercial, you're convinced that the CX7 is a chick car - your masculinity is threatened. That's as bad as my son's conviction that the 2006 Mustang is a chick car. Sheesh!
 
So, if Hummer started advertising that showed a blond fox driving an H3, you're going to call that a chick car, too?
 
If you really like a car, stop worrying about what other people think. If you're friends start ribbing you about a chick car, maybe it's time to re-evaluate those friends.
 
Masculinity starts with standing by your convictions - not being swayed by other people's opinions.

#14 of 154 Re: Cute Utes [tinycadon] by sssfegy

Aug 30, 2006 (9:25 am)

Replying to: tinycadon (Aug 30, 2006 7:32 am)
I wonder why would you take the time to write your opinion about marketing a vehicle you don't like?!!! Subaru has a 45% female buyers, would I not buy one because of that?!!! I wonder what you drive and I will tell you how many females have bought one! Very funny really, a guy car and a female car! And just so you know females give styling a higher priority than men, so everytime you see a good looking car don't buy it because you are a man! I am sure you drive something like an H1, or a quad cab diesel big monster, or better yet an Aztec!LOL

#15 of 154 "Chick" Cars by astegman

Aug 30, 2006 (9:50 am)

I came across a similar debate in the Lexus forum (I just returned my RX300 [end of lease] and have now purchased the CX-7). Back and forth, lots of posts about whether the RX is "only" for women or not. There were plenty of posts supporting both sides.
 
In general, it seems ridiculous - sure, a particular car may be marketed to appeal to women, but if a guy wanted to buy that car, I doubt any dealer would refuse his money! The opposite is true as well. It seems a waste of time to debate this issue; it's all in the potential driver's head; if a man feels the CX-7 is a car that only women should drive, so be it...we may think it's foolish but who can be bothered...let that guy buy some vehicle that validates his masculinity. There are plenty of choices!! Hey, the HUMMER ads, as dumb as they are, are at least catering to both - you can feel more like a "REAL MAN" or "get your girl on" just by driving that vehicle. Sad, but seemingly harmless.
 
Just wanted to add that I am female. Also, no one should have to justify their car purchase to anyone else, ever. It's your hard-earned money - you can use it however you please and not have to make excuses. All of us CX-7 owners/drivers should be thrilled with our cars - those who don't like the CX-7, that's fine, too. Just don't try to make us feel bad about it.

Messages Page 2 of 16

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement