Wrong Car, Right Car Online

Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Santa Fe

by Botchi Santos 14 Oct 2009

Hi Botchi,

I am an OFW based in Brunei Darussalam and one of the avid readers of your column.

I am writing to seek your precious advice regarding the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Honda CR-V. I like both vehicles but I don't know which one to choose. Of course, both cars have some advantages and disadvantages over each other.

Hope you can give me an advice on this.

More power to Top Gear Philippines!

Regards,

Cris

Hi Cris!

Thanks for dropping us a line all the way from Brunei Darussalam! Hope all is well with you there!

Regarding your query, comparing the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Honda CRV is not quite fair. If you're simply looking for an SUV that's comparable in size to the two, I personally recommend the Subaru Forester XT 2.5 Turbo (it's really fast and fun) to be your top choice. This is followed by the Mitsubishi Outlander 3.0 V6 on my list, but it was recently discontinued. The 2.4 MIVEC Mitsubishi Outlander is also a great choice but it's nowhere near the 3.0 V6 or the Forester XT 2.5 Turbo.

Diesel variants of the Hyundia Santa Fe are a great choice. Gasoline variants don't offer great value and effiency as much as the diesels do. Both types of variants, however, offer better ride quality, comfort and refinement thanks to the large body and well-sorted suspension. It also seats seven people while other SUVs can accommodate only five.

The Honda CRV is okay, very competent, able and reliable but it has zero appeal and is totally unexciting for me, at least.

Good luck. Send us a note again and tell us a bit more about where you intend to use your vehicle and we'll try to help you even more.

Best regards,

Botchi Santos

Lost in a sea of cars and not quite sure which one to get? Click here to email your car query so Botchi can help you pick the right vehicle!

 
Tags: Subaru, Subaru Forester, Honda, Honda CRV, Honda Philippines, Subaru Philippines, Hyundai Philippines, Hyunda

Post Comment | Comments (8) |

 
 
 
 
 

COMMENTS

  • Banana Man says Just go get the Santa Fe CRDi its a no contest. Fuel efficient (at least for this class of vehicle) and superb low speed acceleration! Of course its also more expensive than the CR-V but its more metal anyway so that's to be expected! And also it looks more beautiful than the CR-V for me. (14 October 2009)
  • Triggerman says Go get the Hyundai Sta. Fe! It's a great SUV! Don't dare buy the Honda CRV or else you will regret the rest of your life. Aftersales of Honda really sucks!!! (15 October 2009)
  • John Martin C. Balinghasay says its the Hyundai sante fe or subaru forester for me, let go of the crv. . . (15 October 2009)
  • jojo says Forget the CRV, the only good thing about that car is the AT shift gear..it's cute.. (16 October 2009)
  • wheelson says i have driven the stafe and it is one of the best rides. the interior is way better that the crv. especially the seats of the crv na parang binarat nila para maka save. The interior of the stafe is very comfortable and elegant. The seats are very comfortable. It also has diesel variant, crv-none. My verdict on which to choose... goes to the sta fe. i hope this helps you. (16 October 2009)
  • evilwez says honda is honda.. hyundai is just hyundai.. (20 October 2009)
  • ER says evilwez, ur right. Honda is Honda. Wala k masasabi sa performance. Think about Hyundai after a year or more years. Be one of the class. Hyundai Engine? Consider the maintenance as ur car getting older. I dont know... Honda still no. 1. (25 November 2009)
  • yourpapaliciousplatypus says just go with hyundai. i agree with botchi, honda crv is not that exciting (01 June 2010)

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