Need opinions please - Tucson vs Santa

Hi people

Ok. I'm this close to buying one of the above mentioned vehicles. I
presently own a 2001 Accent GSI which I love to drive but now that we
have a toddler and having to bend my back everytime I have to put the
30lb sack of potatoes in his car seat, I need something more practical.
With Hyundai having its 0% four year financing, 5 year bumper to bumper
and roadside assistance, and a free portable DVD player...hehe (in
Canada anyway), it would be crazy for me not to buy one of their cars.

The dilemma is this: The Tucson, however newer and better equiped, has
almost the same type of mpg as it's older sister. The older has more
cargo space and a solid frame (don't care so much for the extra
passenger seating space with my average 8.5' frame and toddler legs
only go so far)

Please, O Hyundai Gurus, tell me which path I should take! This
purchase should be happening this week and I want to make a good
choice...

Cheers!

Alex

 

Please, O Hyundai Gurus, tell me which path I should take! This

Sorry, I should have added that I was considering the 4 cyl. standard
transmition

Alex

 

just got an 06 Santa Fe. LOVE IT!!!!! but fer the lil bit extra I would go
with the V6 rather than the 4 cyl.. gas mileage difference is minimal and
you have the extra power if ya need it..

Pete..

 

just got an 06 Santa Fe. LOVE IT!!!!! but fer the lil bit extra I would go

Hi Pete

Yeah, I'd like to get the V6 as well if Hyundai hadn't taken upon
themselves to decide V6 drivers didn't deserve to drive stick...poor
decision IMO and shiftronic or whatever it's called just doesn't cut it
for me! I like to drive...

Alex

 

I think you primary decision needs to focus on whether you'd like the
additional space or the lower cost and better fuel economy.

I'd also make sure you test drive the Tucson in all versions you're
considering (2.0 man and whatever else) as well as the 2.7 Santa Fe. If
you're not going to be towing anything, I think the 3.5 in the Santa Fe
is
overkill.

 

the Tuscon has scored 5 stars for side and front which is actually better
than the santa fe i think, ive read some where the tuscon has more passenger
space, but a lil less cargo space.
the tuscon has standard stability controll and traction controll.. something
the santa fe doesnt have.
but if i were you, i'd also look at the kia sportage, same vehicle just
different trims...
The sportage has standard side and head air bags something which you only
get in the tuscon if you buy the highest end model......
portable dvd players are cheap, so that wouldnt really sway me to buy a
certain vehicle over another that has more standard saftey gear...
149.00 for a portable player at canadian tire..

 

Your toddler is getting bigger every day. His "toys" are getting bigger
with him.

I was seriously looking to purchase a Nissan Maxima. Then reality set
in. I live in the Arizona desert. My home is on a dirt road and all the
roads that lead to it are dirt and they get washed out during Monsoon
season. I like landscaping and home improvements. I have two LARGE dogs.
I am a large format photographer and amateur astronomer. My husband is
a carpenter. We also like bike riding.

I bought a Santa Fe, 3.5L, 4WD.

 

id go for the kia, u also can get allwheel drive in the 4cyl tuson/kia,
which u cannot in the santa fe

 

I believe you're wrong on the air bags. I believe all are standard on the
Tucson and I don't believe it's optional to add any more than are present.

 

All models of the Tuscon and Santa Fe are available with 4WD.

Jon

 

the santa fe in canada does not have 4wd with the 4 cyl engine

 

http://www.hyundaicanada.com/HYUNDAI/Pages/PriceSteps/Showroom.aspx

 

Three cheers for those of us who LIKE manual transmissions. You should
have seen how puzzled the sales dude was back in 1986 when I insisted
that I wanted my Taurus with a manual transmission (yes, Ford offered
them in the Taurus for several years). I never regretted that decision
as the manual made the Taurus much more fun to drive and helped make the
anemic 4 cylinder Ford had back then useable. I later gave that car to
my sister when it had about 90,000 miles on it and she put that much
more on it without ever having a transmission problem. I'm pretty sure
that none of Ford's crummy automatics from that era made it that far!

Long live manual transmission.

Hip, Hip, Hooray!

John

 

Wow, someone who actually needs an SUV. Sounds like you made a good
choice. Now as for those urban cowboys who think off-road includes
driving onto the neighbor's lawn ......

John

 

Wait! You mean they sell these things outside the US too?

Sorry, wasn't thinking globally. You are correct. They don't even sell the 4
cyl. in the US.
Jon

 

im glad our accents 5 spd, very handy on the highway i can keep up with the
big boys pretty good even on hills, keep them revs up...

 

all I have driven in the past were standards as well.. but I enjoy the
automatic.(must be getting old.;-)) previous had an 04 Elantra GT 5speed and
a 2000 Elantra Wagon 5speed.. both great cars....

Pete..

 

i wish we could afford a new tuscon/sport/new santa fe, tired of getting
hung up on the snow ;P

 

I bought a Santa Fe, 3.5L, 4WD.

Driving onto neighbour's lawn can be fairly dangerous... don't underestimate
SUVs!

 

Yeah - one could easily cut down a tire on one of those beer cans hidden in
the tall bluegrass, or even hit the '62 Chevy that's hidden in it. Not for
faint of heart, to be sure.