As car shoppers, we need to reset our expectations. We want the latest tech, premium materials, and beautiful design. Yet when we get charged for them, we say things like, “For a Hyundai?” Our current expectations are unrealistic. We are willing to suffer through the ownership of bare bones luxury brand automobiles rather than explore vehicles from other manufacturers that might better meet our needs and wants. Some of us justify these choices by saying things like, “Yes, but it’s a BMW or Mercedes or whatever.” At the end of the day luxury manufacturers don’t send me a check at the end of the month. So, I will go with value any day all day ...until cost is no longer a variable.
When it comes to rivals, I thought its Tucson which competes with compact RAV4, CRV, Forester and Rogue. Venza, Passport and Edge are more of a mid-size Santa Fe rivals. But even competing a class higher, I think Santa Fe is the best-in-class.
Agreed. They chose the wrong competitors for this vehicle. RAV4, CRV, Forester and Rogue are much smaller vehicles with 100 HP less under the hood. The Nissan Murano, Acura RDX, and Ford Edge are better comparables.
Great review! I just bought a Sante Fe Calligraphy Friday and love it! My friend bought an SEL today and she loves it as well! This car beat out a lot of other cars I drove even BMW and Audi. Go Hyundai!
The Hyundai Santa Fe does not compete with the Rav 4, CR-V, and Rogue. The Hyundai Tucson competes with them. The Santa Fe competes with the Ford Edge, Chevy Blazer, Nissan Murano, Toyata Venza and Honda Passport.
I was coming here to say this! Also, how can they compare a tiny Audi Q3 to a vehicle with an optional 3rd row? They are definitely off the mark for pricing and competition.
Sorry, I disagree with the competitors that you have identified. This competes with Honda passport, Nissan Murano, Ford Edge class. Tuscon competes with RAV4, Honda CRV, Nissan Rogue.
Hyundai/Kia is truly kicking ass on all these new cars. Everywhere i am nowadays i see a new Hyundai/Kia all blinged out. I dropped off my Motorcycle in Calgary for servicing and sat on a bench and lost count of how many Hyundai/Kia products i saw, they definitely have been on a role but like Zack says "prices are creeping up" which will put a dent in sales for sure!!!!
Great review, I’ve been waiting for this one. I’ve had a Calligraphy for 3 months now and generally I’ve been very happy with it. The performance is terrific with the 2.5T and DCT transmission and the fit and finish is in my opinion the best of any Hyundai vehicle out there and blurs the lines with a Genesis. Two issues for me though - those 19” rims are a let down (I relegated mine to winter rims and got a set from the previous years top trim, looks way better) and also as you pointed out the lack of a spare tire. However there is room for one underneath the vehicle and I struck a deal when I bought the vehicle to get one retrofitted. Yes the price is high (for a Santa Fe) but I think the value is there, particularly as performance and quality is a significant step above its traditional competitors. I drove this back to back with a GV80 and the difference isn’t as big as the price gap would suggest. Keep up the great work!
I remember when my parents took a chance on this brand called Hyundai in 2003. Warranty was great and had everything they needed. They’ve only bought Hyundais since. Their first Santa Fe lasted 160,000 trouble free miles. The next one , a 2012 lasted 105,000 then they traded for a 2022. Great cars!
Love you guys but I'm confused as to why you're comparing this vehicle to the compact section that's not just smaller but lower powered. It's not really a comparison.
I agree that Hyundai pricing is going up, but as a very happy Santa Fe owner (2014), I see a Korean X5 when I look at this model. Mine will probably last another 150,000 kms easy, but man “relentless” has Hyundai ever been in developing their products! This calligraphy model is DEFINITELY worth the money. Love your reviews, all the best...
Even though it's a refresh, it actually rides on a new platform. They did this extensive refresh so that going forward, this and the Sorento are on the same platform update cycle, not staggered as it has been up to this point.
The Tucson hybrid is fantastic, however, the Tucson is also 300-400+ pounds lighter than the Santa Fe, and the hybrid in the Santa Fe has the same horsepower as the one in the Tucson. So I think the hybrid in the Santa Fe would be worth it if it had 250hp or more because right now it's just not powerful enough to enjoy as you do in the Tucson where you can really feel it.
I'd rather have this over one of the German luxury brands to be honest - this car would have a significantly lower total cost of ownership and I don't really want the extra attention I'd get from driving, say, a BMW.
Great review of the Sante fe Andrea and Zack. This a design that I think will appeal lot of people. I just find for some people that the ultimate Calligraphy trim is too pricey, but might be worth it.
I reviewed outback, rogue, crv and then I came across the santa fe. The dry on the other vehicle with cvt was a let down. But we got into this car and we New it was it. First time owner of a 2021 SE even this basic has way more then I expected. Love it
My options were limited also. I was about to test drive this, Nissan, and perhaps Mazda, but once I saw and drove this SF, we gave them an offer and we came home w a new SF! Well, used but 14,000 miles on it! I didn't want to test drive Nissan. I wanted to try Mazda but I know how small they are.
Looks great but wouldn't you consider this a mid-size 5 seater instead of a compact SUV? I feel like this is bigger than the 4 comparison vehicles (I could be wrong). I can see this more competing with an outback or honda passport.
I think Santa fe is positioning in between compact suv (Tucson) and Palisade which also compete with Passport and Hylander. So Hyundai has its own selling strategy for the customers appealing both with new Tucson (bigger than the previous one) and Santa fe (holding potential RAV4 & CRV customers to Santa fe).
The centre console and dash would be perfect if they changed the gloss black on the infotainment to flat black. Hyundai seems to be the best when it comes to minimizing the use of gloss black. Great review guys and I agree that top trim is too much. The next level down is the sweet spot for me.
My first target to get is the Hyundai Tucson 2022 but when i tried to drive the Hyundai Sta Fe 2021 in my first 5 seconds...I said this is my Horse...It's like i am in a Avatar Movie that quickly tells you that this is the one for you. Hyundai Tucson is great maybe for a high trend but too small for a Family. Sta Fe is amazingly Perfect and never in a day people approach and amazed of the looks if this new Sta. Fe. I bought a 20 inch tires and a 20 inch Palisade Rims. So perfect..
I looked at the Santa Fe last summer and really liked it. I think a closer comparison to it is the Subaru Outback, which is what I ended up purchasing, and not the Forester. I thought the build and ride qualities were similar between the Santa Fe and the Outback. But as far as value goes, I thought the Outback was the better choice. And the better resale value for Subaru didn't hurt. For about that the AWD Santa Fe SEL (with cloth interior) cost, I purchased the Outback Limited, which has leather and a few more convenience features. I could have brought the cost down on the Hyundai by specing it with FWD, but those were hard to find on dealer lots at the time.
@2:38 when you showed Andrea jumping on the instagram picture the Pointer Sisters song Jump(for my love) popped into my head lol. This is the best looking Santa Fe I have seen yet to date. Those button shifters are fine but it would be nice to have some sort of backup like paddles or something, I'd be scared of spilling a drink there.
I'm very happy to see a new review for the Santa Fe! I test drove an SEL with the base engine and liked it a lot except for the base engine needing more power. This car is on the top of my short list, although I might want the hybrid version if it has enough power for the mountain passes here.
Good review. For all the folks asking if this could replace a luxury SUV: from the inside this trim is definitely up there but always remember the Germans have usually much more sophisticated suspension and steering systems as well. For most people they can be over-engineered so the value is not necessarily there but for the more demanding drivers the Koreans are not competitive yet.
Zac and Andrea, I love your videos! But I think you need to check competitors pricing a little better before you claim this Santa Fe is outrageously priced. The CRV Black Edition is $47 667 and the RAV4 Limited is $43 000. The Santa Fe has more space, more power, more features, Napa leather interior and more warranty. It's expensive to be sure! But not out of line with it's Japanese rivals.
@@robbyu.672 Yes, I understand. But prices in Canada and the US are often quite different, and it's more than just the currency conversion. For example, the Kia Stinger tops out at 52k CA but more than that in the US making it MUCH cheaper in Canada.
Thanks. Great video. Hyundai is making a serious run at Honda and Toyota. They have really improved in every way. No CVT transmission.. I like it that they show 4 other vehicles to consider.
@@moeanthony9308 Thank you. My point is that Hyundai made 3 years of big improvements 2017, 2019, 2021. They are a serious player. While Rav4 and CRV have been the kings, Rav 4 has old technology in the electronics and is small. I like the non turbo engine and non CVT. The Honda CRV has the CVT transmission. The engine had oil dilution problems. The gap is closing for sure.
@@moeanthony9308 you make it sound like other companies have no problems. Honda has a ton. Toyota had a few severe in past years. Hyundai /Kia have had alot of re structing and updates in past few years but they products are becoming more solid as time goes on.
@@InstinctiveFirearmReviews I never made it sound anyway bro. You did. I said the Korean car company had fire recalls. And I might add consistently more than most other companies. I wasn't talking about the others.
FYI, the Mazda CX-5 is in this same class. On the Hyundai, I do agree you must get the turbo engine to avoid engine fires. Also, their standard non-turbo engine fire is too weak. I will be purchasing a mid-size SUV and am waiting until later in the year when prices fall back to earth with deals off MSRP coupled with manufacturer's rebates. Currently all of the "good deals" are on SUV's that have major issues in terms of design, driving comfort, owner satisfaction, and reliability. Used car prices are so high, you might as well buy new.
Another great review! You two keep pumping the review out. I was also very surprised that Hyundai, after two model years decides to update this vehicle. I think it is nicely presented and executed. For about 50k the price is getting steep. So many other vehicles out there that you can choose from. With 49% value gone in 5 years, I would start looking at the premium brands like Acura with the RDX or a fully loaded Q3 like Zack mentioned.
Good points, but the Q3 and RDX are significantly smaller vehicles. From an Audi standpoint, you need to compare it with the Q5 and you’ll easily spend $10k - $15k more to get the same features and specifications as the Santa Fe Calligraphy and the quality is much closer than the price tag suggests.
how much do you think Q3 will lose over 5 years? I bet its about the same or worse. Mdx which I always liked drops in value like a rock, not sure about rdx.
@@robertduklus6555 Q3 drops about 45% over 5 years, the Q5 50%, RDX 48% and MDX 53% (using caredge.com) i.e. in the same ball park as the Santa Fe. I just don’t understand why folks automatically assume that a so called premium brand depreciates less than a mainstream. Factor in the lower cost of ownership and a better warranty, for me the Santa Fe represents great value even in the Calligraphy trim. Also, I think depreciation will be less in some of the newer Hyundai models at the 5 year mark due to the significant improvement in quality.
@@Ellipirelli69 Maybe that’s a Canada thing. Here in the USA we don’t get the Diesel engine. The calligraphy has the 20” rims optional. They are just, in the last few weeks, coming here with the 20” rims. Seems like it’s taking forever.
I'd prefer this push-button shifter over the fake electronic shifter "thing". I've rented a Durango for our wedding (around the end of 2019) which has that fake lever-style shifter. I always have trouble finding which gear I'm in especially when I'm making a quick street parking or 3 point turn on a busy street. The best part of a shifter lever is an experienced driver can judge which gear you are in by its location (R is way forward than D). So I have to push twice from D to R, vise versa on that Durango. But with the push button I can press the gear I want directly. With some practice I can see I'll be more comfortable driving this than a fake shifter lever as you've mentioned in Nissan (I'd assume they operate the same as Durango or BMW, etc).
Another great review Andrea and Zack! You nailed it on price, the caveat would be that Hyundai tends to always have aggressive incentives on their models, the exception being their all electric offerings. Great interior,(minimal gloss black plastic) personally I like the front styling of this refreshed Santa Fe better than the new Tuscon, less busy and more aggressive. Hyundai should have based the upcoming Santa Cruz on the Santa Fe.
as the saying goes...the hits just keep on coming...although the $$ is getting up there..the mid range option may be a sweet spot...keep up the great reviews...am always interested in different opinions on different makes
I gota say damn this is beautiful. I LOVE this Red Paint, wow! Also the exterior has a neat timeless design that I cant put my finger on but I absolutely love it. I love the headlights, the grill, the wheels, and the beautiful red color lol and all the silvery chrome trim on the exterior just wow. The interior I love too! I love the quilting on the seats. Love the “I think you hot” remark lol. You are a beautiful classy woman and I must agree ❤️
Yes, the Q3 is smaller than this and you are right it is missing memory seats which is a problem for some. It is more in line with the X3 and Q5 but just wanted to point out you can get a loaded Q3 for under $50,000 if you don't need the extra space.
I love you guys reviews, so much information, and thank you for that. The fire 🔥 engine problem Hyundai is having, is with the older generation of their engine family. Now Hyundai has developed a new engine family. Called “SMART STREAM TECHNOLOGY “. With dual injections
Don’t you think that Ford Edge, Honda Passport, Maybe VV Atlas cross sport are more of a competition for this? RAV4, and others shown more of a Tucson competition? I get it, there are so many of so many crossing sizes that is not that straight forward. As always, great video, keep it up.
Love your videos, especially from your Canadian point of view. Would you please do one on the advantages/disadvantages between the 2022 Tucson HEV and PHEV? Please and thank you.
I looked over the hybrid the other day in the Seattle area in the basic blue edition. The second row seats slide for and aft giving a much larger flat load area. There was also a spare attached under the car.
Great review guys. I agree with Andrea, I’d prefer they use the same little shifter as Mitsubishi uses. But on this, I’d probably forgive the push button since the rest is very nice.
Look I love your work . Been a motormouth fan for quite some time the addition of Andrea isn't just for her (great looks and fashion) two different points of view. My only knock is the question in coffee section. Hyundai has had bad publicity about engine fires in certain engines and their lack of responsibility to owners. You both kind of chuckled at the person's question and ignored it. Then I read just as your video releases that over 390,000 vehicles in USA and Canada are being recalled so the old "where there's smoke there's fire" is legit as a question. Wish u hadn't glossed over this I know OEM relationships are important to you but answering that question was something I thought was well asked. Myself I bought my first used Toyota a Venza 4 years old and 7 years later it's still going strong so I became a fan of Toyota rep and am concerned about Hyundai as apparently they ignored owners with issues.
Thank you very much! Sorry if we offended you we were not laughing at the engine fires but mostly how it came across when I read the question. We feel we did answer it well and respectfully, this engine has absolutely no problems at this point. As for the other models with engine fire issues, they are the older models and I have spoken to many followers who have dealt with this issue. Some have felt that Hyundai treated them very well and others not so much. We can only report on what we know in regards to this engine in the new Santa Fe. We hope for Hyundai's sake and consumers who buy this new vehicle will have no problems with this Santa Fe. Thanks for watching and for being such a loyal follower, we appreciate your feedback always.
The Santa Fe Calligraphy is less expensive in the U.S. It's between $41-45k depending on whether or not you get it with AWD & the accessories you add to it
Definitely nice but I agree that the price is getting a little high when compared to the luxury brands. I prefer the real shifter too. Nice review. Thanks!
By the way Zac, this rides on an all new platform! It now shares the platform that the Sorento rides on, prompting some to say this shouldn't be called a refresh at all. More like an all new model. It is a beauty though!
To the person who are trying to decide which Santa Fe to buy: Buy the Santa Fe Plug-in. The advantages are near 2.5 turbo horsepower at 264, 6 speed torque converter auto and, 30 miles of electric only range. The only disadvantage is slightly lower MPG in hybrid mode do to extra weight.
not for sale yet in Canada but I have every intention to test it. Must be able to tow min 2500 pounds though. Price is also a factor in the equation, in EU markets the price is unreal.
i leased SEL premium pack. 10K mile, 36mo, for 1000 down(including paper works except dmv and 1st mo) for 394 and change. it's not the best but i think it's very acceptable. i was looking only looking for slightly bigger than compact, modern safety features, large displays and free maintenance there's none for this msrp.
Long time watcher first time comment. The comparisons were in the wrong neighborhood RAV4 and CR-V ? I have a top of the line CR-V 2017. Great vehicle. I paid $40k at that time. I think the CR-V and the RAV4 are more in line with the Tucson not the Santa Fe. I am looking forward to seeing the Tucson in particular the hybrid. Otherwise great show.
@@andreaspencer9813 wow you are an early bird too. that is a great question. I had a Santa Fe 2013 top of line too well equipped the engine blew as they were having problems. Hence the reason I got out and went back to Honda. I had accords before. The CR-V is smaller and better on gas noticeable difference in size and fuel. Santa Fe still had more features and it was a 2013. I guess it is sort of a betweener. CR-V and pilot. Now Hyundai has the palisade which knocks the pilot out of the park. I would think the refinement and size of Santa is not going after RAV-4 or CR-V crowd we are cheap b%@#$&*! We are looking for fuel mileage not size and luxury. I didn’t answer your question because it’s hard but I would say more closer to pilot and Highlander. Love the show keep it up 👍
Hey Andrea & Zack - Great review but I gave to disagree with you on the exterior changes. For my taste, there's way too much chrome on the front especially at the bottom under the front grill and I see that's extended to the bottom of the front doors. I do like the interior though! At 50% depreciation rate and probably an upcoming recall for possible fire risk (seems like I'm reading about a new Hyundai recall about every two days!!), I'll gladly stick with my 2021 RAV4 XLE Premium.
In Australia the Santa Fe has a 3rd row as standard - Its in the same class as the Sorrento, I’m not sure why there isn’t a 3rd row in the Canadian model but it is meant to compete with mid-sized suvs and not compact suvs
Hyundai (and Kia) designs are standouts amongst their competitors. I've been car shopping for months, and the Santa Fe Calligraphy was recently on my radar. We ended up with TWO new fully-loaded Hyundais in the past 15 days: a 2021 Sonata Limited, and a 2021 Tucson Ultimate.
Thank you for this review! I watched many of your SUV reviews before buying the Santa Fe Calligraphy last week (red with tan interior). We downsized from a Suburban and we are really enjoying it so far. It’s the first time I’ve had a vehicle with all the bells and whistles. 😉
Respectfully, I don't understand why you almost exclusively compare it to the compact SUVs on the market (RAV4, Forester, CR-V, Rogue). The Tucson is the direct competitor to those vehicles. If anything, the new Santa Fe is competing with larger SUVs such as the Highlander and the CX-9, but without adding the third row (this is only available in other markets). I agree that the Caligraphy trim is getting pricey, but if you insist on comparing it to the RAV4, it's worth pointing out that a fully loaded RAV4 Limited trim comes in at $38,720 USD. Now, is the Caligraphy worth the extra money?
Frankly this is really in between categories. I would also compare it to the Sorento with the same platform but we focused strictly on 5-seaters in our competition segment.
They left out the spare tire on the top trim AWD models for Canada and the U.S., but there is a space underneath for it, so it can be added with no impact to the great underfloor storage. Also, I love your reviews, but for similarly equipped Mercedes or Audi models you will pay $10K to $15K more and the Audi Q3 just really shouldn't be compared, as it is a much smaller car. I got my Limited a month ago and absolutely love it. Putting my spare tire in next week!
I'm interested to know if you will be test driving the new Ionic 5 and Kia ev6.They are both getting lots of attention in Asia and here in Europe due to how good the reviews have been with these fully electric cars.They really look good too which is something a few years ago i didn't think i would find myself saying.We in the Uk will only be able to buy fully electric cars from 2030 so i would assume that in the next couple of years more and more manufactures will be pumping out decent new models.Good review guys.
14:34 Calligraphy trim loses the spare tire. All other trims has one underneath the car which is nice. My brother has a 2020 Santa Fe with base 2.5L, it's pretty slow in acceleration but generally it's pretty quiet riding otherwise.
I’m a dedicated viewer and love what you guys do. Don’t you think that the 4 alternatives you presented are not in the same class as this one? I think the Santa Fe is now one class larger so it competes with Nissan Murano and similar sized vehicles
Omg that’s gorgeous my partner just picked the 2022 Tucson limited with the 2.5 turbo inline 4 and I’ve got the 2021 Kia Telluride SX prestige these models just show how much Hyundai and Kia have changed you’s keen for the new Kona N
Great show as always. You compared starting prices of competitors . Mention what each get for the starting price. My experience is they were not equal.
This is very nice. I like Hyundai in general. But the interior is still a bit bland, although you're right that it is neat and organized. I don't like the transmission buttons. It looks like an old flip phone. For that price, I would go for an Audi Q3 or take my pick of most any Mazda.
Hello, Love your channel. I am confused. I do a lot of highway driving. I mean alot. 102km each way to work 5 days a week. I thought a hybrid would be best for me, but I am told no. I currently drive a 2017 tuguan, which I love. But it is killing me at the pumps. Suggestions?
No question that the new Santa Fe is vast improvement over the previous version. Personally, though, I'd opt for the closely related KIA Sorento for a number of reasons. () The engines and drivetrains of the new Santa Fe and the Sorento are identical. In fact, the optional 2.5L turbo engine is available in 7(!), soon to be 8, KIAs, Hyundais, and Genesis vehicles. From all reports and with the Korean's excellent warranties, the engine looks to be a win/win with better performance AND fuel economy than the engines they replace. As usual, the Sorento and Santa Fe share a number of other components and features including nearly identical infotainment and AWD systems. Although the overall length of the two is nearly identical, the new generation Sorento is built on a new platform the Santa Fe lacks. (The Santa Fe will almost certainly get that same treatment next year.) That difference results in a slightly longer Sorento wheelbase along with somewhat more passenger and cargo space. For me, another Sorento plus is the traditional shift lever versus the Santa Fe's pushbutton transmission control. Cruising along on a freeway the Sorento's advantage disappears but in parking or other low speed maneuvers that require shifting pack and forth between reverse and drive, the KIA's traditional lever that doesn't require looking for the right button has a significant advantage. I'd willingly give up the under console storage space for that advantage. In the Santa Fe's defense, however, it retains the previous version's driver seat memory and 4 way lumbar support. KIA has (inexplicably) dropped seat memory and reduced the lumbar support to two way as well as eliminating extending thigh support in the top trim model. Small differences for some but eliminating seat memory in a vehicle likely to have multiple drivers is simply stupid. Kudos to Hyundai on that score. () The most obvious difference between the two vehicles, of course, is the third row of seats in the Sorento. The third row isn't roomy, of course. In fact, in a rare sign of marketing honesty, KIA characterizes it as "plus 2" seating. But it's worth noting that the Sorento has 2" more legroom in the back row than the Highlander where Toyota absurdly fits the seat with 3 seatbelts. Our family of three and a big dog seldom use the 3rd row in our (last generation) Sorento but when we transport a gaggle of teenage girls or go on local journey with more a group of 6 or 7 people, it's a huge convenience compared to taking two vehicles. () Finally, it's obviously a subjective choice but Hyundai's design language repeatedly strikes me as over-styled compared to its KIA cousin. As if Hyundai has a committee devoted to adding creases and bulges here, there, and everywhere to a finished design. To be fair the Santa Fe isn't as extreme in this regard compared to the Palisade or the new (and otherwise excellent) Tucson but I'd be surprised if five years from now the Santa Fe's design holds up as well as the new Sorento's.
I didn't like your cost comparisons with the MB, Audi and Cadillac. If you equip a MB with the same stuff in a GLC, you're talking over 70K and a Q# does not compare in size or power to this. I look at this way, this is much the same as the new GV70 and equipped similarly it will 59K
At the $30-45,000 budget, Hyundai/KIA Group is getting into pretty thick waters. At the higher end of that level, the smarter valued Limited RAV4 or the top trim CRV’s are priced just below this maxed out Santa Fe. Which both I recommend. But now, I think that Hyundai wants to swim in the deep end of the pool, which is crowded with Germans. They should leave that up to their Genesis line. This new Hyundai is simply overpriced, over styled and underpowered... at $50,000. It does have an absolutely stunning interior though. Thanks for the video review.
The 2.5T in the Calligraphy is definitely not underpowered. Smaller engine in lower trims a bit lacking, but still moves the Santa Fe pretty well. Agree, it’s borderline over styled. The Santa Fe in this trim is considerably better than the equivalent top trim CR-V and RAV4 based on my test drive experience. To me it occupies a middle ground between the top-trim mainstream and the luxury competition and its actually good value - even in the late $40k range.
Great points... at $40 grand. But at $50, you have to start considering resale, badge, and style (a first gen X3, Q3 or CLA still look similar to the latest - the same cannot be said about any of the Hyundai/KIA S/CUV’s). For $50,000 before other dealer options, taxes and finances ... I expect just ‘a little more’. As I said; leave this price point to Genesis. Good points though.
@@kellingtonlink956 For sure, I understand. One thing for consideration though is depreciation. After 5 years, Santa Fe loses 49% of its value; a Q5 (which I think is a fairer comparison than a Q3) loses 50%, a RDX 48%, X3 52%, CLA 48% (caredge.com). You will spend considerably more in the first place on any of those premium badges to get a comparable feature set to the Santa Fe, as well as higher servicing costs and an inferior warranty unless you want to pay an extortionate sum to extend it. Yes, the price tag is difficult to swallow for some, but I see past the badge and look at the value proposition. But it’s good to see Genesis gunning for the established premium sector though! Cheers.
I like your style, Andy. You make quite the legitimate argument. You clearly know and research your numbers/claims. Well thought out. I can respect that. Cheers.
Great review. Santa Fe is on my short list of potential next vehicles (along with Honda Passport and Ford Bronco Sport). I'm wondering if anyone has had any issues with the the headlights on the newer Santa Fe. On some other forums I was reading that on the low beam, there appears to be a shadow in the shape of a "V" and a hard cutoff of illumination. From what I've read it is built into the LED headlight design as to not blind oncoming drivers but in doing so, it creates a dark/blind spot for the you as the driver. Anyone have any experience with this? Do you get flashed by oncoming drivers? Is it a deal breaker to not buy the Santa Fe? Interested in what others think or have experienced with this.
The Santa Fe is a midsize CUV/ SUV. It’s not a compact CUV/ SUV so it doesn’t compete with the CR-V or RAV4. It competes with the Venza & Passport. The CR-V, Rogue, Forester, & RAV4 are the Tucson’s competitors, not the Santa Fe’s
You compare this to the premium imports like the Q3 and Mercedes but why does everyone ignore the fact that very few of the European cars come with a spare of any kind. If you get a flat with those, you are out of luck for a day or two especially on the weekends.
The Rogue doesn't compete with the Santa Fe. The Murano is the Santa Fe's competitor from Nissan. The Santa Fe's competitor from Toyota isn't the RAV4, it's the Venza. The CR-V isn't the Santa Fe's competitor, that's the Passport
Wouldn't the Tuscon be the competition for the RAV4, and not the Santa Fe? The Santa Fe seems to be a larger SUV. I don't know about the Forrester. As far as the MB is concerned, high test gas and I don't even want to think about maintenance costs. I also think it's unfair to compare the top of one line with the base of another pricewise.
