Hyundai Santa Fe (Gen. 2) Thread

**j2js** · August 21st, 2006 11:08 AM

My husband and i are having the same dilemma ... will it be the Fortuner or the Santa Fe? I am really more inclined to get the Santa Fe bec of the reviews from this forum ... but my husband insists that the Fortuner will be a better buy in the long run for the high availability of accessories and after sales parts.

Question lang po, pareho ba ng CRDi engine ang Santa Fe and Starex? We were super amazed with the speed of a Starex on NLEX last Sat. We were running 130 already on our Crosswind pero grabe bilis ng Starex, overtaking pa sya and it seemed very stable. Samantalang kami, sagad na sagad na pedal.

**mheekowh** · August 21st, 2006 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by number001

IMO, it is. The width difference is around less than 9 inches. I did try the Fe's third row seats and it is indeed a little bit cramped.

Yikes. That's what I like about the Fortuner. It looks and feels imposing to be in. Can the same be said about the Fe?

**mheekowh** · August 21st, 2006 12:08 PM

Actually, what I need is a size comparison. What SUVs are around the size of the Fe? A Touareg? Cayenne? Q7?

**number001** · August 21st, 2006 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by mheekowh

Actually, what I need is a size comparison. What SUVs are around the size of the Fe? A Touareg? Cayenne? Q7?

Originally Posted by number001

Toyota Fortuner

Length x Width x Height mm = 4,695 x 1,840 x 1,850
Wheelbase mm = 2,750

Hyundai Santa Fe

Length x Width x Height mm = 4,650 x 1,615 x 1,795
Wheelbase mm = 2,700

It is a bit longer (+115mm=4.5in) and higher (+85mm=3.5in)than the CRV. The Fe is definitely much shorter and narrower than a Cayenne.

2002-2006 CRV

Length x Width x Height mm = 4,535 x 1,780 x 1,710
Wheelbase mm = 2,620

**mheekowh** · August 21st, 2006 12:56 PM

I guess it looks tiny compared to a fortuner, then. Narrower than CRV?

How is its size compared to the Mazda Tribute or to the Tucson?

**Horsepower** · August 21st, 2006 01:53 PM

No, that width measurement is incorrect.

Width of SantaFe is 1890mm (excluding side mirrors), it's actually wider than Fortuner.

Here's a review for you.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=206

the 3rd row isn't cramped either. Im a big guy and i fit well even with seatmates.

plus the suspension is auto-levelling hydraulic (like that of Mercedes) so your car wouldn't look awkward (sakang) when it's fully loaded.

The steering column is collapsible too, in the event that it crashes (which is quite narrow a chance given the very strong brakes and stability controls), that steering area is your friend, not your killer.

If you wanna go Off-road, get a KIA Sorento, that one is an award winner worldwide model too (US, Europe and Australia) esp the new and upcoming CRDi Turbo.

It doesn't choke too.

**Horsepower** · August 21st, 2006 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by j2js

My husband and i are having the same dilemma ... will it be the Fortuner or the Santa Fe? I am really more inclined to get the Santa Fe bec of the reviews from this forum ... but my husband insists that the Fortuner will be a better buy in the long run for the high availability of accessories and after sales parts.

Question lang po, pareho ba ng CRDi engine ang Santa Fe and Starex? We were super amazed with the speed of a Starex on NLEX last Sat. We were running 130 already on our Crosswind pero grabe bilis ng Starex, overtaking pa sya and it seemed very stable. Samantalang kami, sagad na sagad na pedal.

Let him test drive the SantaFe first so he'll see and feel why it's the better choice.

Depends on the starex, what model mam? AFAIK, they have a universal engine design so that's a possibility. The new Starex and this 2007 SantaFe has the same engine design but SantaFe's CRDi engine has VGT (Turbo) which enables the 2.2L engine to output 150PS. Starex's engine is a 2.5L Turbo Intercooler with power of 145PS. You are correct to say that it's very fast. At around 80kph, its turbine would hiss and you'd feel the force of Turbo. Hence, a lot of people love flooring it because it's fast and very stable. I actually haven't heard nor seen a Starex crash as of yet.

BTW, SantaFe's top speed is electronically limited at 188Kph. "Chip" it and you can run faster. No worries about stability as it has EBD, ABS all-4-disc brakes, anti-roll, ESP, TCR and all those stability features.

Actually, i think i shouldn't be recommending this car too much as i love the exclusivity of being quite few on the road. Cruising in hi-ways, we'd always encounter fellow motorists checking us out.

**allen_the_great** · August 21st, 2006 02:29 PM

IMHO, overhyped ang fortuner. ur paying good money for a chassis of a hilux n

innova. go get a Santa Fe nlng. napapa-second look ako pag nasa kalye. parang

hindi hyundai sa ganda.

**number001** · August 21st, 2006 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by allen_the_great

IMHO, overhyped ang fortuner. ur paying good money for a chassis of a hilux n

innova. go get a Santa Fe nlng. napapa-second look ako pag nasa kalye. parang

hindi hyundai sa ganda.

And what is wrong with the chassis of a hilux or innova, anyway?

**mheekowh** · August 21st, 2006 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Horsepower

No, that width measurement is incorrect.

Width of SantaFe is 1890mm (excluding side mirrors), it's actually wider than Fortuner.

Here's a review for you.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=206

the 3rd row isn't cramped either. Im a big guy and i fit well even with seatmates.

plus the suspension is auto-levelling hydraulic (like that of Mercedes) so your car wouldn't look awkward (sakang) when it's fully loaded.

The steering column is collapsible too, in the event that it crashes (which is quite narrow a chance given the very strong brakes and stability controls), that steering area is your friend, not your killer.

If you wanna go Off-road, get a KIA Sorento, that one is an award winner worldwide model too (US, Europe and Australia) esp the new and upcoming CRDi Turbo.

It doesn't choke too.

Oh. Thanks.

Any idea how much the gas consumption of the different models is?