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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 11

#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!

    #83 of 106 Re: Why not [stevedebi] by drwoodr

    Aug 30, 2007 (4:27 pm)

    Replying to: stevedebi (Aug 30, 2007 2:01 pm)
    RE: "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."
     
    I think what makes people compare the two is price. As many others did, we also started out looking at the CRV, but when we saw how much more you can get with the Santa Fe for less money, it was a no-brainer.

    #84 of 106 CRV Quality? by zeb

    Sep 05, 2007 (1:26 pm)

    I was considering a CRV also, but I went to some of the forum boards/user reviews and it seemed like it was nothing but bad experiences - anyone else see this?

    #85 of 106 Re: CRV Quality? [zeb] by steve_ HOST

    Sep 05, 2007 (2:24 pm)

    Replying to: zeb (Sep 05, 2007 1:26 pm)
    People tend to post more when there's a problem so take that into account. The consumer ratings at the top show that both the CR-V and Santa Fe are close in customer satisfaction (but you have to read those too - some people rate their car before they peel the Monroney sticker off the window).

    #86 of 106 Re: CRV Quality? [zeb] by dtstof

    Sep 05, 2007 (7:55 pm)

    Replying to: zeb (Sep 05, 2007 1:26 pm)
    I have a 2007 and have had zero problems. I get 25 MPG in real world driving(everyday mix with no air cond). I've got the 2wd model with leather. My tires track true and the engine has plenty of power. Everything works like it is supposed to. It is comfortable and roomy. Try out the rear seat. You can fit real adults comfortably(thigh support & leg room). This is only my second auto transmission in 38 years of driving, and it works great. I love the button for instant power and slowing. I'm sure there are thousands of others with the same opinion. People post problems on the forum. There is nothing wrong with that. All info(good or bad) is GOOD info, in my opinion.

    #87 of 106 Re: Why not [drwoodr] by hermanh

    Sep 06, 2007 (2:30 am)

    Replying to: drwoodr (Aug 30, 2007 4:27 pm)
    My wife initially wanted the CR-V but after checking out the Santa Fe decided to go with the Hyundai. If the CR-V offered a power driver seat we probably would have gone with the Honda, but they're both great small sport utes and I think that they are definitely competing for many of the same customers. They were in our case at least.

    #88 of 106 Re: Why not [hermanh] by thegraduate

    Sep 11, 2007 (9:57 am)

    Replying to: hermanh (Sep 06, 2007 2:30 am)
    If the CR-V offered a power driver seat we probably would have gone with the Honda
     
    For 2008, they do, along with dual climate control, the uplevel stereo w/o having to get NAVI, and a rearview camera with the NAVI. These are a few of the changes made for 2008
     
    http://www.hondanews.com/categories/842/releases/4135

    #89 of 106 CRV vs. Hyundai by danprtr

    Sep 11, 2008 (2:51 pm)

    The CRV is a really nice car with great mileage (for it's size) a nice ride and Honda durability baked in.
     
    We just bought a Santa Fe Limited while they were clearing out the '08's. We feel we paid 2 to 3 (000) less than the Honda and received many interior upgrades. Most important for my wife (primary driver) were the power drivers seat (I don't get that one but she constantly pointed it out), higher driving position (liked that about the old minivan), Good handling and tight turning radius (hated those about the old minivan), and larger size without feeling it when driving.
     
    If the CRV and Santa Fe were the same price, it'd be a toss up for us and depend on whether we wanted to go bigger or smaller on size. However, the money we saved will buy a lot gas over the next few years and we don't feel we skimped to save a few bucks, quite the contrary.

    #90 of 106 Re: CRV vs. Hyundai [danprtr] by illinialuminco

    Dec 23, 2008 (8:49 pm)

    Replying to: danprtr (Sep 11, 2008 2:51 pm)
    Have owned an '07 CR-V EXL for just over 2 years -- previously owned an '03 Accord EXL V-6 model. Love the CR-V except for the tires. My wife's vehicle was an '02 Toyo Highlander Ltd -- great vehicle. Looked at the '08 Highlander and '08 SF and, for $9000 less bought the Santa Fe Ltd AWD -- we love it!! More for the money in the SF -- no doubt. However, Honda doesn't have to buy it's customers and, at present, Hyundai is having to do that and is making great progress. Once our economy gets back to normal, there will be a price differential between the CR-V and the SF -- if you are in the market for a Santa Fe, better take advantage of the Hyundai pricing in the near future. The unknown -- will the Hyundai provide the proven trouble free ownership experience I have had with Hondas for the past 30 years?

    Messages Page 9 of 11

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