Topic: CD Article: Suzuki XL7 vs. Toyota RAV4 Sport

[carcrazy]

Why do you guys keep putting Santa Fe and XL7 in the same class with RAV4? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the difference. Use Highlander for comparison with Santa Fe and XL7, or compare RAV4 with Grand Vitara and Escape. It's very simple ... and more accurate. Or, make a note that you are cross comparing between classes and the confusion will be avoided. But than, what's the point comparing apples to oranges? We all know that they are different but in the same time they have something in common: they are both fruits.
In regards to Nitro, I don't think it can be compared with RAV4 either. Not sure what compares with though...
Just my 2 cents...

Euh I don't understand your point and I don't think you went at the dealer see the new RAV4..    The new RAV4 is way bigger than the one it replace and it now about the same size of a SanteFee, Equinox, Nitro, etc.

Here's the RAV4, XL-7 and SanteFee have seating for 7 passengers not the Nitro or the Grand Vitara.

Can't wait to see the result of the comparaison. 

Your assumption is wrong: I test drove the RAV4 Sport and I studied both cars as I'm in the market for a compact SUV. I also spend endless hours reading car reviews and car forums as this is my hobby.
However, my point is that, in Toyota's line up, the RAV4 is the compact SUV, in Hyundai's line up Tucson is the compact SUV and in Suzuki's line up the Grand Vitara is the compact SUV. The next size up is Highlander, Santa Fe and XL7. If you look at each vehicle overall, interior feature set, driving characteristics, size etc., you will see my point.
Just because RAV4 is such a good package - the best in its class IMHO, it doesn't automatically make it a mid-size SUV.

Anyway just check at bmorton post and also look at the dimensions in this article.  RAV4 and Sante Fee are in the same class. 

The Tucson is not competitor of the RAV4;  Grand Vitara, CR-V and Patriot are in terms of size.   The Highlander is nearly over 40K$ and next generation will be bigger than the current.

I think we should start to use same terminology as for the car for SUV classification:

Sub-compct SUV
compact SUV
Midsize SUV
Large SUV.
X-Large SUV

I put the numbers together to support my point:

                               RAV4 V6 LTD             Santa Fe AWD 5AT          Highlander AWD
                               (7 seats)                      (7 seats)                          (7 seats)

Length (in)                     181.1                         184.1                          184.6
Wheel base (in)               104.7                         106.3                          106.9
Height (in)                      69.1                           67.9                             68.3
Width (in)                       71.5                           74.4                             71.9
Ground clearence (in)       7.5                                                                7.3
Weight (lbs.)                   3675                           4121                           3935

Source: www. toyota.ca, hyundaiusa.com (they provide the dimensions in inches so no need for conversion).
Hyundai does not list the ground clearance, but this is not very important. I think it is under 7.5 inches anyway.
Now you tell me which Toyota model is the Santa Fe closer to based on the dimensions.
I rest my case...

Yeah, a sub-compact SUV class would help.

[carcrazy]

CRV can still compete with RAV4 I4.
I agree, Tucson is not a fair comparison for the RAV4 nor CRV and Grand Vitara. It's more of a sub-compact SUV.
I know that Highlander will be redesigned for 2008, and based on the concept, it may end up compeating with Murano. But for the time being it is still an offering in the midsize SUV class for 2007, even though it is way more expensive than the competition.

[wing]

The Tucson is really a large wagon like a Vibe / Matrix, only higher.

[Cord]

I do not like D-pillars that are wider at the bottom (see the Toyota pic at the top of this page.)  It just looks wrong.

The Murano made it right.

I thought the original 200SX made it right. 

[Loudpedal]

I do not like D-pillars that are wider at the bottom (see the Toyota pic at the top of this page.)  It just looks wrong.

The Murano made it right.

I thought the original 200SX made it right. 

 

[mrthompson]

Mike Holmes made it right. 

[UDB]

I put the numbers together to support my point:

                               RAV4 V6 LTD             Santa Fe AWD 5AT          Highlander AWD
                               (7 seats)                      (7 seats)                          (7 seats)

Length (in)                     181.1                         184.1                          184.6
Wheel base (in)               104.7                         106.3                          106.9
Height (in)                      69.1                           67.9                             68.3
Width (in)                       71.5                           74.4                             71.9
Ground clearence (in)       7.5                                                                7.3
Weight (lbs.)                   3675                           4121                           3935

Source: www. toyota.ca, hyundaiusa.com (they provide the dimensions in inches so no need for conversion).
Hyundai does not list the ground clearance, but this is not very important. I think it is under 7.5 inches anyway.
Now you tell me which Toyota model is the Santa Fe closer to based on the dimensions.
I rest my case...

Yeah, a sub-compact SUV class would help.

3 inches wow....big difference....

The Highlander is useless since the new RAV4 came last year and probably the sale numbers are very low for the Highlander since.

And does the Highlander has a lock mode for it's AWD?   Might be wrong but probably not.  Consider the Highlander as a Camry station wagon.

[carcrazy]

And does the Highlander has a lock mode for it's AWD?   Might be wrong but probably not.  Consider the Highlander as a Camry station wagon.

No it doesn't. Santa Fe does not have one either. Should I consider the Santa Fe a fat and heavy Sonata station wagon too? I agree, this is what they are. There is nothing really sport about them.
RAV4 is still a cute ute, sport AND utility vehicle, where the Highlander and Santa Fe are fat, people movers. Drive a Santa Fe and you will feel how heavy it is compared to the RAV4. And of course look at the difference in the curb weight - 466 lbs (for a 7 seat, 5 AT, AWD)

This is what I meant by saying that they do  not really compare well. The price is a different story.
 Santa Fe gives you the opportunity to drive a midsize SUV, with luxury-like appointments for the money of a compact SUV (RAV4) from Toyota.

[carcrazy]

There is an error in the article:

The Santa Fe employs a 3.3L engine, not a 3.5L as is written.

Good eye. Thanks for letting us know. It's been fixed. 

Another error in the article. There is no 2007 Santa Fe that comes with 17" wheels as written in the article.

[amorak]

No it doesn't. Santa Fe does not have one either.

Actually,I drov ethe new Santa fe last weekend and it does have a lock.

[carcrazy]

No it doesn't. Santa Fe does not have one either.

Actually,I drov ethe new Santa fe last weekend and it does have a lock.

I see. I cannot remember for sure and I did not see it mentioned when I looked at the specs today. My bad...

[carcrazy]

The price listed in the article for the RAV4 Sport looks inflated too at $34,980. The base price is $33,590 and if you add the Package B (sunroof) becomes $34,750. There must be some extra unnamed accessories for $230.
The price for the Santa Fe 3.3 GLS AWD (5 pass) is exact.

[bmorton]

$33,590 + $1390 freight/PDI = $34,980

[Benhaze]

Yeah, comparing with the Outlander would have been cool.

Regardless, this is a great comparo. Looking FW to the updates.

The RAV4 Sport has a great athletic planted stance, while the Santa Fe looks a little funkier and I prefer its interior. Is it just me, or does the XL-7 look unfinished in some parts? Would have liked more photos for all to spot differences between them.

No It's not only you... What's up with all the gaps in the cargo area? It is going to be a pain to clean too. Hard plastic will scratch.



I can't believe GM could not find an Equinox or Torrent for thist comparo test. I would have like to see the Edge too being one of the contenders. Maybe they should extend the test another month and get an Edge in December...

[wing]

The test is going until February, it is a 4 month test. 

[Benhaze]

I know... I was just expressing a wish. I am a lot more interested in finding out how the Edge will stand up against the Santa Fe than the Suzuki.

[carcrazy]

$33,590 + $1390 freight/PDI = $34,980

Santa Fe's price does not include freight/pdi. Shouldn't they be consistent when posting the price? With or without freight/pdi for all vehicles. And make it clear. It just happened that I know the MRSP for the RAV4 Sport so I noticed that something doesn't add up.
So many flows in this article. I wonder why?

[UDB]

And MT does a compare with the RDX and CX-7 against the RAV4.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suv/112_0610_crossover_comparison

The RAV4 is really a rocket in straight line but for handling...I'll will pass.   They should have take the Sport version with the stiffer suspension.

[carcrazy]

For those interested, Motor Trend, in its December 2006 issue, has 22 SUVs compeating for the 2007 SUV of the year. Good to read the numbers, but I don't know about the redactor's credibility based on some of their comments.

[amorak]

Where's the update?