Topic: X-trail Bonavista or Santa fe?

[JR2]

We can't decide between these two vehicles. Bonavistas (2006, no 2007's were built as new Rogue is coming out) are on sale now $27,388 includes F/PDI. Santa Fe GL (2007) over $30,000.
Needs: 40km round trip to work - mainly highway; golf trips....

Suggestions?

[Damien]

I think the look is dated and toyish, let alone tippy/boxy.  Unsubstantial, old CRV look.

Let alone it is a 4 cylinder that gets nearly the same fuel economy as the Santa Fe.  Towing is essentially out with the Xtrail as well.

If towing won't be needed, it represents good value, but I like to buy a new car that will look new for a long time.

Thats why I waited for the 3rd Generation MX5 to come out before buying late last year.

[mdxtasy]

I'll take the Sante Fe. 

[initial_D]

Hyundai's cars are never leasing friendly tho.  Lower residual value than most, still yes?

[Giant Dwarf]

I think the look is dated and toyish, let alone tippy/boxy.  Unsubstantial, old CRV look.

Let alone it is a 4 cylinder that gets nearly the same fuel economy as the Santa Fe.  Towing is essentially out with the Xtrail as well.

If towing won't be needed, it represents good value, but I like to buy a new car that will look new for a long time.

Thats why I waited for the 3rd Generation MX5 to come out before buying late last year.

You waited for an NC just because you wanted your new car to look like a new car for a long time?   

Also, I thought the X-trail was pretty good on fuel??

[wing]

The x-trail is pretty good on fuel and would most definitely be better in the real world than the Santa Fe.    The new Santa Fe is really nice though, tough decision...

[Loudpedal]

A consultant at work has an XTrail.  He averages 10l/100 overall (but mostly city).  He is very happy with it.   

As for towing, the XTrail is rated to tow 2000 lbs.  I don't think there are many 4 cyl SUV's (except for Subarus) that have a rating over 1000/1500 lbs. 

Personally, I'd likely go for the current wicked deal on the XTrail.   

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Personally, I'd likely go for the current wicked deal on the XTrail.   

Depends on my needs and how they drive, but with a deal that good, that's where I'd be going too me thinkith.

[DoubleClutch]

How important are safety features to you?

The X-Trail lacks electronic stability control and side curtain air bags. I'm also new car shopping and I love the X-Trail and think it's a great car. But it's not even considered because of the lack of safety features mentioned above.

[amorak]

I'd suggest the Santa Fe.  Nissan's are of questionable reliability these days (and htis is coming form a guy who owns a Nissan) and the Santa-Fe is a giant-killer, IMO - Best in its class.

Santa-Fe = can't go wrong.

[Damien]

Giant Dwarf, get a clue.

Where did I say I waited for the car JUST for its looks?

I waited for the next generation for oh let me list it;

Dynamic stability control
Traction Conrol
Limited Slip Diff
30 more HP
Bigger/Safer
Better sound system
More airbags
Much more rigidity
Stock Bilstein suspension
Cosmetically more appealing to me

I might as well stop there....

I suggested the SantaFe for the same reasons.  Most up to date technology.  Not buying a vehicle that is going to be replaced within a matter of months helps as well.  Older technology.

Bonavista 2 litre  25-26K?
Santa Fe 2.7litre  27-28K.

If you don't mind shifting yourself the Santa Fe 5sp is available for $25,995, which I would assume is even better on gas.  It is not the same 2.7 litre from previous years.  Well it is the same but with VVT and other updates.

Similar mileage.  More safety in the Santa Fe.  5 year warranty.  Quieter, smoother, more powerfull (better looking subjective).

True, it can tow 2000, but that is 1000 less than most of the boats and small trailers that we needed.  We took a long hard look at all of the 4cylinder candidates but had to be certain of the cars ability.

I was leaning towards an Impreza or Forester, even the Xtrail as well.

[random006]

Giant Dwarf, get a clue.

Where did I say I waited for the car for its looks?

Right here:

I think the look is dated and toyish, let alone tippy/boxy.  Unsubstantial, old CRV look.

... but I like to buy a new car that will look new for a long time.

[Leviathan]

Oh oh, now you've gone and confused the issue with facts   

[Giant Dwarf]

True Random... that part and the following line where he said:  
"Thats why I waited for the 3rd Generation MX5 to come out before buying late last year"  Geez... now where did I get that idea.

Incidentally Damien, you chose the NC for the same reasons I did.  Though having said that, LSD was available previously and the stereo still sucks.  But of course you already knew that.

Back on topic:

The 2.7L can only be had with a FWD Santa Fe and if safety features (such as electro nannies) are of importance to the prospective buyer, wouldn't AWD be too?  It sure would for me.  I don't see the point in car-based FWD SUVs when minivans offer more practicality and sport wagons (like a Mazda6 wagon) offer more driver enjoyment.  

If a person is getting niceties such auto climate control and the really neat panorama sunroof feature in the Bona Vista for more than $4000 less than the comprarable (3.3L GL AWD) Santa Fe... that's a significant difference.  Especially when the additional fuel consumption of the Hyundai is considered too.

X-Trail BonaVista (AWD) = 10.8 L/100km City and 8.1L/100km Hwy

SantaFe 2.7L (FWD) auto (the most fuel-efficient version) = 11.3L/100km and 8.4L/100km hwy.  (fairly close)....

but let's at least compare apples to apples here and look at an AWD version:

SantaFe 3.3L (AWD) = 12.6L/100km and 9 L / 100km hwy.

I'm a die-hard proponent of the new SantaFe (even helped talk a friend of mine into getting one) -- but only in AWD guise.   Interior space of the SantaFe is larger too if that matters... but overall, at the price, the Xtrail is a heck of a bargain on a vehicle that has been around and well-proven for a few years now (mitigating the reliability concerns a bit of Nissan vs. Hyundai in my mind anyway).

[Damien]

All very valid points.

It really depends on the individuals needs, as with any vehicle purpose.
Space
Economy
Power
Driving Dynamics
Safety
Styling
etc etc etc

I would rather get a vehicle that satisfied as many of my criteria as possible, as opposed to saving a few grand.  Especially if I was keeping the vehicle for a long time.  Let alone if the vehicle was going to be replaced by a model with newer technology and styling.

That being said, if financing is a concern, the Xtrail is over 8%.  The Santa Fe is 3.9% mitigating some of the up front savings of Nissan.

To make matters more confusing, the Nissan has the F/PDI included in the $27K price.
 

[AVToller]

"I would rather get a vehicle that satisfied as many of my criteria as possible, as opposed to saving a few grand.  Especially if I was keeping the vehicle for a long time."

  A lot of wisdom in a few words. 

[safristi]

Get those feets movin..............................

[Giant Dwarf]

Damien, you're right about the financing rates throwing things off.  Lease rates too.  At the end of the day, unless payin' cash, the price difference will likely be very minimal -- even for the much more costly SantaFe GL 3.3 AWD.

[dave 2]

The X-Trail doesn't really compare well with a Santa Fe.   Somewhere in the middle between a Tucson and Santa Fe.

Maybe a Tucsanta???

[Giant Dwarf]

The X-Trail doesn't really compare well with a Santa Fe.   Somewhere in the middle between a Tucson and Santa Fe.

Maybe a Tucsanta???

I always get a kick out of people that say 'you can't really compare car X to car Y'.  If the pricing works out similar -- or more importantly -- a potential buyer is cross-shopping the two, I'd say ya really can.

I get what you're saying -- size-wise, the Xtrail fits between the Santa and Tucson, but clearly they are being cross-shopped.