CR-V, Santa Fe, Murano, Tribeca, Outlook

[sammy]

Finally replacing the Mommy van. Thought I had it narrowed down to CR-V and Santa Fe. Now I am more confused than ever.

Summary of my percieved differences:
- love the Murano, but Murano needs premium fuel - if that's true; stay away from that
- love the Tribeca but very pricey and mediocre fuel economy; crowded space
- CR-V, the smallest of my list, but a decent size for me and actually feels more roomy than the Santa Fe, missing a couple tiny but key features like automatic lights; also don't care for the setup of the front seat console (I like the full console separation between driver/passenger, I think )
- Hyundai, not so good fuel economy and not so good name thou they certainly have come a long way

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

BTW, what's with these ugly colors today? It's either silver, lt. silver, dk. silver, blue silver, white or ugly shades of red. The other colors are pretty much non-existent on the lots.

 

[Hophop4]

We bought a Nisssan Rogue which is just under the Murano. It's better on gas (reg) 25 in city and almost 29 on highway and I love it , comfortable , easy to handle. color: mine is indigo blue

 

[mrmarty91]

We have an Outlook and love it. It is much bigger than the other vehicles on your list. If you need seven passenger capacity, I would highly recommend it. Adults can actually sit in the third row (although not for a long trip). The ride is the most carlike of the SUVs we drove (Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX9). However, the gas mileage is not that good. It gets around 15 mpg city and 21 highway (if I keep it under 70 mph).

 

[vacationlover2]

Have you SEEN the Chrysler Town and Country? I know you said you're getting away from the van, but this thing is priced right and LOADED. If you get a signature series you get (and this is not a comprehensive list)

leather seats
heated front and second passenger seats
dual dvd players (2nd and 3rd row passengers can watch 2 different shows)
remote start
sirius satellite radio free for one year

Options
Nav (touchscreen and voice activated)
Sirius backseat TV (TV IN your car, from satellite)

I have one and LOVE it. Only $29K plus tax and tags.

And I'm NOT a Chrysler dealer or employee. Just love them.

 

[dougp26364]

We've been shopping as well (we'll probably keep the cars we have rather than trade) and off your list, without a doubt I'd go with the CRV. Better long term value IMO than any of the others. My FIL has a Santa Fe and, while he likes it, I'm just not as impressed with it as I am the Honda. It's a good car, I just think the Honda is built better and will have better residual value down the line when it's time to trade it in.

Personally, I prefer the Honda Pilot to the CRV.

 

[Fern Modena]

I just bought Dodge's version of the Town and Country, and it is everything they say it is.

I owned a CR-V, and it drove like a truck. You know, square tires. Its the same for most SUVs compared to minivans. I don't know it that is changed, because I see Honda is now calling the CR-V a Crossover Vehicle rather than a small SUV. I will say that Hondas do keep their value best, if that's the most important thing to you. To me, ride is important.

Fern

 

[Makai Guy]

I just bought Dodge's version of the Town and Country, and it is everything they say it is.

I owned a CR-V, and it drove like a truck. You know, square tires. Its the same for most SUVs compared to minivans. I don't know it that is changed, because I see Honda is now calling the CR-V a Crossover Vehicle rather than a small SUV. I will say that Hondas do keep their value best, if that's the most important thing to you. To me, ride is important.

Fern

What model year was your CR-V? They redesigned for 2007 (easy to tell, spare tire not hanging off the back, less boxy looking). When we sold our travel trailer and no longer needed a pickup to pull it, we replaced the pickup with an '07 CR-V and have been very pleased with it. One of my golfing buddies has an '06 CR-V and every time he rides in mine he comments how much better it rides than his does.

 

[sammy]

I just bought Dodge's version of the Town and Country, and it is everything they say it is.

I owned a CR-V, and it drove like a truck. You know, square tires. Its the same for most SUVs compared to minivans. I don't know it that is changed, because I see Honda is now calling the CR-V a Crossover Vehicle rather than a small SUV. I will say that Hondas do keep their value best, if that's the most important thing to you. To me, ride is important.

Fern

You are right on. I do like the T&C a lot, but just not considering a van at this time.

Consumer Reports says the new CR-V is 'an improvement over its boxy predecessor' and is 'smooth....responsive....agile and secure' with 'road noise reduced' and a ride that is 'firm yet supple' (whatever that means; almost sounds like they're discussing implants !).

Back to the car, I think that if the CR-V had auto-lights and a full console between the front seats my decision would be made; likewise if the Santa Fe had better mileage I'd go with it..........

 

[jwq387]

various suv's

We have an Outlook and love it. It is much bigger than the other vehicles on your list. If you need seven passenger capacity, I would highly recommend it. Adults can actually sit in the third row (although not for a long trip). The ride is the most carlike of the SUVs we drove (Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Mazda CX9). However, the gas mileage is not that good. It gets around 15 mpg city and 21 highway (if I keep it under 70 mph).

Don't get black interior- marks up very easily( apparently low quality materials). The middle position in the second row is very uncomfortable for anything more than a short drive. We are not impressed with our Outlook.
It is big, though. We just don't like the quality control- sunroof leaked several times before dealership caught problem. Remote start never worked. Back hatch doesn't have enough clearance, and bangs against bumper, making noise, and a permanent ridge in the bumper. But it is big. Area above bumper has permananent marks by back hatch- again probably cheap materials. We had a Buick Rendezvous, but Buick stopped making the vehicle. The Rendezvous blew this thing away, quality wise. Sorry Saturn, do better next time.

 

[stratusnj75]

Have you considered a Toyota Rav4. Felt larger than the Santa Fe and about the same size as the CRV. I have the 4 cylinder and get 26 mpg doing mostly highway driving. And the cargo space is quite sizable.

Devin

 

[Tia]

My mother has a new CRV and loves it, she did say she wished there was a full console between the front seats. (My sister just got a new Civic and is thrilled with the gas milage compared to her SUV)

 

[Passepartout]

How timely

This month's Consumer's Reports has a review of small SUV's. Our magazine just arrived today, so it should show up on newsstands soon.

Jim Ricks

 

[Jestjoan]

DH is waiting to see the new Toyota Venza since they have enlarged the Highlander and no longer offer it in a 4 cylinder. (Why do they mess with a good thing? He loves his Highlander.)

The CR-V is on his list.......

 

[csudell]

love our CR-V

we have a CR-V and an Odyssey. Absolutely love them both. So reliable. No problems. Great Honda service. And like a previous poster said, great resale value! highly recommend it.

what about the Forester? it got really good reviews in consumer reports and has for the past few years.

 

[chellej]

I have a Jeep Compass and love it

I get 24 city and 28 hwy. great cargo room. Just this week I bought a desk off ebay - 48x24x30. We were going to take DH's F150 with the tenau cover but 24" is the absolute dimension with the cover closed so we took the jeep and had plenty of room.

 

[Patri]

- CR-V, the smallest of my list, but a decent size for me and actually feels more roomy than the Santa Fe, missing a couple tiny but key features like automatic lights; also don't care for the setup of the front seat console (I like the full console separation between driver/passenger, I think )

Not sure what you mean here. I won't buy a car with no space between the front seats. No place to put a purse. Where is it supposed to go? I'd even prefer a full seat across the front to one with the CD storage unit, etc. in the middle.


:deadhorse: I only put this here because I see it is new. How cute!

 

[sammy]

What about leather seats?

Not sure what you mean here. I won't buy a car with no space between the front seats. No place to put a purse. Where is it supposed to go? I'd even prefer a full seat across the front to one with the CD storage unit, etc. in the middle.

Actually, my purse/briefcase is exactly the reason I want the full console between the front seats. What I mean is that many cars come with 2 bucket seats in the front (instead of the bench). Between these seats is nothing (good place for the purse), a CD/drink/etc holder which is basically the depth of the seats front to back, or a full console which extends from the back of the seats all the way up to the dashboard creating a separation between the driver and passenger seats.

Since I drive alone most of the time (otherwise I am the passenger), I prefer either a van (easy to stick my things in super convenient sliding door back seat) or on the front passenger seat floor. Without the full console my things fly around and sometimes end up near my foot pedals -- super unsafe!

As for all the other suggestions - good ones. Love RAV4 except for the trunk door swing, etc. For my needs, still the CR-V and Santa Fe are tops. Salesman friend brought home the Santa Fe and I found it great except for the legroom in the rear (although I do drive alone, I still have full size teens at home).

What about leather seats? I've neer been fond of them (even our leather sofa I try to avoid and sit on the upholstery), but I do like the features that come packaged only with them - power seats, heated, 6CD audio, etc. But my husband's leather is looking like it might tear soon (Lexus).....is this common? That will be costly to repair.

Oh, and BTW, the new 'bad dog' is very cute!

 

[sammy]

We bought a Nisssan Rogue which is just under the Murano. It's better on gas (reg) 25 in city and almost 29 on highway and I love it , comfortable , easy to handle. color: mine is indigo blue

Oh yeah, and we saw this for the first time....love that blue one!.....and it looks great although very small in the cargo area. Do you need to use the cargo area much? Do you find it limiting? Not sure I can even fit golf clubs in there.