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CR-V vs Santa Fe

106 messages,  Last post on Feb 12, 2012 at 8:55 PM

You are in the Hyundai Santa Fe Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Car Comparisons, SUV

Messages Page 9 of 12

#73 of 106 Re: Why is everyone [stevedebi] by joe97

Aug 28, 2007 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: stevedebi (Aug 28, 2007 10:02 am)
It's not really fair to compare fuel economy between I4 (CR-V) and V6 (Santa Fe) but I can tell you both do well in that category.
 
By the way, the Santa Fe is larger:
 
Passenger Volume: CR-V 100.9 / Santa Fe 108.3
Maximum Cargo Volume: CR-V 72.9 / Santa Fe 78.2
 
On Honda's website, they list Tuscon as one of its competitors on the Compare Vehicles section - fyi

#74 of 106 Re: Why is everyone [joe97] by stevecar

Aug 28, 2007 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: joe97 (Aug 28, 2007 12:00 pm)
My mistake on the passenger volume. I still feel they are both good coices and personal preference will play a part.
As far as fuel economy, some people want better mpg, while others would like to have more highway power. I think the only reason I was comparing the CRV to the Sante Fe to begin with was that they were both new models, while the Tuscon was older.

#75 of 106 Re: Why is everyone [joe97] by ejonavin

Aug 28, 2007 (2:19 pm)

Replying to: joe97 (Aug 28, 2007 12:00 pm)
If you don't fold down the 2nd row, the CR-V actually has a tad bit more room behind the 2nd row. Something to consider if you have young children with baby seats, and therefor won't be folding down the 2nd row.

#76 of 106 Re: Why is everyone [stevecar] by kdahlquist

Aug 28, 2007 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: stevecar (Aug 28, 2007 1:25 pm)
The CR-V and the Tucson are comparable vehicles; the Santa Fe is considerably larger, and competes against the Pilot.
 
For example, the CR-V and Tucson have essentially the same wheelbase (103.1 for the CR-V vs. 103.5 for the Tucson), which the Santa Fe's is longer (106.3). The CR-V and Tucson are the same width (71.6 and 72.1) while the Santa Fe is wider (74.4). The CR-V and Tucson have almost identical curb weights (3549 and 3548) while the Santa Fe is heavier (4022). Front and rear shoulder room are, likewise, identical in the CR-V and the Tucson, while the Santa Fe is larger. The CR-V and Tucson are both 5-passenger vehicles, whereas the Santa Fe can seat 7. The CR-V and Tucson have similar horsepower availability (max of 166 for the CR-V and 173 for the Tucson), whereas the Santa Fe is a lot more powerful (242 hp).
 
About the only place that the Santa Fe and CR-V are directly comparable is the price tag. A loaded CR-V will cost about the same as a loaded Santa Fe, while the Tucson will be $2-4,000 less.

#77 of 106 Re: Why is everyone [kdahlquist] by nortsr1

Aug 29, 2007 (6:22 am)

Replying to: kdahlquist (Aug 28, 2007 7:24 pm)
I asked that same question originally and got shot down.

#78 of 106 Re: Why is everyone [nortsr1] by stevecar

Aug 29, 2007 (10:19 am)

Replying to: nortsr1 (Aug 29, 2007 6:22 am)
As I said before, I started the thread when I had been shopping or both last winter. IMO the Sante Fe was a similar price as the CRV. Both cars were newly changed, while the Tuscon was out a few years. Actually, you are correct. The comparison should be Tuscon vs. CRV.

#79 of 106 Re: Why is everyone [stevecar] by nortsr1

Aug 29, 2007 (11:45 am)

Replying to: stevecar (Aug 29, 2007 10:19 am)
Thanks, stevecar, I sort of thought they (the CRV and Tuscon) were more of the same size to compare than against the SantaFe.
               NORTSR

#80 of 106 Why not by ejonavin

Aug 29, 2007 (6:32 pm)

Tucson has about 1/2 the cargo space as the CR-V. Santa Fe has more similar utility. For this reason alone, the Tucson doesn't even make my short list that includes CR-V and Santa Fe.
 
I'm reading and posting in this thread because I'm curious what others think of two, and to see if there are any non-obvious things to consider that's not easily seen by a quick test drive.

#81 of 106 Re: Why not [ejonavin] by mpuzach

Aug 29, 2007 (10:14 pm)

Replying to: ejonavin (Aug 29, 2007 6:32 pm)
I looked closely at the CR-V EX AWD with leather and navigation and actually took it for a test drive. On paper it looked like the ideal small SUV for my wife and me:
 
  • Honda quality

  • Overall nice appointments

  • Available navigation (not common in this class)

  • Leather seating (heated)

  • Ideal size for our needs

    •  
    In short, I went into the test drive wanting to be impressed with the CR-V. Unfortunately, I wasn't. It was boring to drive. (It's tough to articulate exactly what was missing. Steering was numb, engine was on the anemic side, acceleration was weak.) I felt like I was driving a tired appliance. Admittedly, the navigation was nice but it didn't make up for the fact that the CR-V was just plain dull. I also didn't care for the fact that the rear (2nd row) seats don't fold flat; they fold forward and rest against the front seat backs. The arrangement is nowhere near as tidy as the Santa Fe's flat-folding 2nd row seats. Another thing is the CR-V's gear shifter - it's mounted at the bottom of the center stack rather than on the console. It's no big deal, I suppose, but just didn't care for it.
     
    We ended up buying a Santa Fe Limited AWD and I couldn't be happier with it. The only thing it gives up to the CR-V IMO is the lack of an available navigation system. (Even that will be corrected later in the 2008 model year.) With its 242 hp V6 (compared with the Honda's 166 hp I-4), power driver's seat, 18" wheels (vs. the Honda's 17"), dual zone electronic climate control, HomeLink, front fog lights, and auto-dimming inside mirror, it was a simple choice. Add to that the very cool blue interior lighting (including the front cup holder!), illuminated steering wheel audio and cruise control buttons (also in blue), and the best warranty in the business.
     
    In fairness, the CR-V has some things that are missing on the Santa Fe e.g. a flip-up liftgate window, engine immobilizer, rearview camera (on navigation-equipped models), rear reading lights, multi-disc CD changer (in-dash), MP3 input, RDS, and a memory card slot. These are all cool features but IMO not enough to make the total package as desirable as the Santa Fe.
     
    We've had our Santa Fe Limited AWD with Premium Package (power moonroof) for 3.5 months and couldn't be happier with it. It's remarkably enjoyable to drive. I'm impressed by a lot of things on the Santa Fe but I think the most impressive part is the outstanding drive train. It's smooth, powerful, and whisper-quiet. The entire vehicle is well-built; it reeks of quality. I'm sure a few issues will crop up over time but it definitely looks as though Hyundai has done their homework with the Santa Fe.

    #82 of 106 Re: Why not [mpuzach] by stevedebi

    Aug 30, 2007 (2:01 pm)

    Replying to: mpuzach (Aug 29, 2007 10:14 pm)
    "The only thing it gives up to the CR-V IMO is the lack of an available navigation system."
     
    And about 20% less MPG (23 highway vs. 27 highway). I had a 2003 CR-V, which would actually produce around 30 MPG at 65 MPH (pure highway), and that was with only a 4 speed and AWD. The current CR-V has a 5 speed and is available with FWD in the higher trim models. In town, one cannot really expect better than 22 MPG (with very careful driving).
     
    The CR-V is not really a competitor of the Santa Fe; it is being compared simply because Honda did such a good job of packaging a lot of interior space into a small exterior. But the Santa Fe is designed to compete with the Honda Pilot (which, BTW, gets almost exactly the same MPG).
     
    Honda and Hyundai have very different engineering standards; they have different expectations for the engines and the ride. It is a matter of preference which one is preferred.
     
    Congrats on your purchase!

    Messages Page 9 of 12

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