Wrong Car/Right Car Online

 

Montero Sport, Sorento or Santa Fe?

By Botchi Santos —

Hi!

The e-mails that Botchi regularly replies to are great! I think they really give readers a more personal and genuine perspective on the cars available today.

Anyway, I am looking into the Montero Sport VGT, the Sorento CRDi and the Santa Fe CRDi. I was wondering which would the better car be in terms of handling, safety and comfort? I am aware the Sorento and the Santa Fe are very similar so I would like to know what sets them apart aside from the design. At the end of it all, which one would be the best bang for my buck?

I do not need a 4WD, and I will most probably not have to drive in off-road conditions. I drive to Subic or Tagaytay once or twice a month and go around Manila the rest of the time. I just need a comfortable and safe car.

I hope TopGear.com.ph can help me out! You guys are awesome! Keep it up!

Mikael

 

Mikael,

Thank you for the kind words! We all try our best to give helpful advice so it's a big team effort whenever we post new replies on our website!

If comfort is what you are after, then the Kia Sorento or the Hyundai Santa Fe are your two best options, especially if you have no need for 4WD and off-road capability. These two car-based crossovers are built like a conventional car, utilizing a unibody construction unlike truck-based SUVs (such as the Mitsubishi Montero Sport) that have a box cabin atop the ladder frame chassis. The unibody design is stiffer, offering better refinement, interior space, comfort and responsiveness as well as better feel, particularly the brakes, suspension and steering because the entire structure moves together more closely, unlike a ladder-frame equipped chassis which tends to flex, twist and bend a little bit more than that of a unibody chassis. That's because the ladder-frame isn't as stiff, but is the preferred off-road chassis because it is inherently stronger and sturdier, and that little flex of the chassis helps it cope better with very rough terrain.

While the Kia and the Hyundai share a lot of similarities (basic architecture, powertrain, etc.), what really sets the two apart is, in my opinion, the feel of the design as well as how it is like to drive. The Kia feels more like an American-flavored SUV but with diesel power. The Hyundai feels a little bit closer to a European car: It's firmer and less bouncy but offers a little more feel in exchange for a little bit of comfort. The Kia feels like driving a typical American 'ute: easy, light and effortless but a bit lacking in feel and feedback, better suited to highway miles. On the other hand, the Hyundai seems a bit more playful when the road gets twisty.

Personally, I prefer the Santa Fe because of its driving feel and experience, but I can't objectively say it is better, as the interior of the Sorento is more modern and is a more pleasant place to be in as a passenger--or even as a driver while stuck in traffic.

But regardless of what you get, you'll be pretty happy with either Korean SUV. Good luck on your two choices! God bless and take care!

Botchi Santos
Consumer editor

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
COMMENTS

User account login

Not registered? Click here to be a TopGear.com.ph member.

Forgot your Password?.

Click this link to view our posting guidelines.

Filter comments by:
Called-Out Comments All Comments
  • the 8th Jan 26 2012 @ 11:37pm
     
    wouldn't you rather wait for the new santa fe? see it here on this link: http://www.topgear.com.ph/board/index.php?topic=15792.0
        1
  • jbedpan Jan 27 2012 @ 01:09am
     
    I prefer the Sta Fe because the looks is updated while the Sorento is old already.
        1
    • robin_micmac Jan 27 2012 @ 01:41am
       
      I agree with Botchi that the Korean SUVs are the better choice here because the guy doesnt do offroading and is more after the driving comfort.

      I only disagree on the points mentioned about the unibody vs ladder frame construction.
      i seem to disagree that the unibody structure is much stiffer than the ladder frame. the ladder frame will definitely have a higher torsional rigidity than a monocoque. the reason why a unibody handles better is because it is much lighter than the ladder frame type and also the lower centre of gravity due to the suspension components bolted directly to the body and not on a frame where you put your body in white on top of it which makes it sit very high. Just to cite an example, when Land Rover first had a go in doing a full size SUV with a unibody structure, they found out that it wasnt stiff enough and the body is flexing. so they had to mount the unibody on a ladder frame chassis making it a very heavy beast! And yes it is the Land Rover Discovery 3 or T5 as it is called internally at Land Rover
          2
  • yokam888 Jan 27 2012 @ 07:06am
     
    what? a unibody is stiffer than a rigid frame? either there was an editorial error here or i'm just extremely drunk while reading this article. maybe botchi was referring to the flexing/twisting of the SUSPENSION of the off-road vehicles and not the body itself. time for me to drink some really strong coffee.
       
    • robin_micmac Jan 27 2012 @ 08:54pm
       
      for some reason i couldnt post any comments on my own..im just able to reply to comments of other people. glad to know that someone else disagreed with the unibody versus ladder frame! as per my reply from jbedpan's post, the perfect example will be the Land Rover Discovery 3 which Land Rover attempted unibody structure but then it flexed and failed to meet their torsional rigidity criteria. Hence the LR3 is a unibody mounted on top of a ladder frame and made it really heavy!
         
      • bruce Jan 28 2012 @ 02:26am
         
        same with me using IE in office but when I'm home, mozilla is good.. perhaps you can't post also in the comments box.. :)
           
        • robin_micmac Jan 28 2012 @ 06:22am
           
          I'll try that one! thanks for the headsup! =)
             
  • Restomodz Jan 27 2012 @ 08:11am
     
    @Mikael, If you are willing to wait for another 1 year there is new Hyundai Santa Fe will be out.
    http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1064964_2013-hyundai-santa-fe-ix45-spy-shots
        2
  • Restomodz Jan 27 2012 @ 08:15am
     
    If you are curious, here is the undisguised picture:
    http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-image/2013-hyundai-santa-fe-ix45-spotted-undisguised/66691.html#image
        2
  • humanhorde Jan 27 2012 @ 08:22am
     
    ok...........let the debate begins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    hahaha
        1
  • Fernando Amorsolo Jan 27 2012 @ 08:31am
     
    Bawal Mag away dito Ha! Peace Y'all! :) Especially to a Hyundai fanatic na talaga namang ayaw paawat sa usaping ito. :))

    In this three, BASED ON WHAT THE SENDER wanted. Comfort, Safety. The Korean brands are on top of my list.
    I agree on this that KIA SORENTO has a better appeal on interior (and probably exterior) than the HYUNDAI SANTA FE. I like them both because they're comfortable to ride and the over all package was just car-like. Well you said yourself you are not in to offroading, well OBVIOUSLY you are AFTER this 2 vehicles (you should have not send it to top gear and read some obnoxious rebuttals here in this thread).
    But, JUST MY OPINION, (please, ONLY MY OPINION), personally I GOT SOME issues around the korean CUVs. I personally encountered owners of SF (not Sorento) having problems with their car.
    1. Interior stuff were of below standard quality. 2. Turbo problems (2.5 has 175 hp? Boosted engines are stressed more than they should be) 3. POOR after service 4. hard to find parts if something essential in the car is broken.

    Never mind my opinion. Just ask other SF owners how they enjoy their cars! :) Enjoy your car shopping!
       
  • Carfanatic Jan 27 2012 @ 08:54am
     
    The Sta. Fe is really a match for the lady (I assume) writer . If there's a newer model of the Sta. Fe it's worth the wait.
        1
  • ashek268 Jan 27 2012 @ 09:44am
     
    Paging Mr. Kyoichi Sudo. Paging Mr. Kyoichi Sudo. or shall we call you Mr. I-LOVE-MITSU-MONTERO. Where are you?
        1
    • walphie Jan 27 2012 @ 02:32pm
       
      Or si dtkiko. Or si HyundaiIsBest (nasan na 'yun?) Haha :P
          1
    • barry Jan 27 2012 @ 03:57pm
       
      will just wait for them to say something...haha
          1
    • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 27 2012 @ 08:33pm
       
      hahahaha....... RIGHT HERE!!!
         
  • papelandia Jan 27 2012 @ 09:49am
     
    Will the new Sta Fe have 7 seating also? What will be its pricing? I guess somewhere near if not higher than SORENTO?
        1
    • someonespecialisme Jan 27 2012 @ 02:00pm
       
      may pasok daw siya ngayon hehehe wait for tonight..this is gonna be a warzone again!
          1
  • Queroz Jan 27 2012 @ 10:17am
     
    Hi papelandia!
    The Santa Fe is already a 7 seater CUV since its introduction to our market :) And the Sorento is priced way above the Santa Fe. That's why there are more SF than the Sorentos., hey, they're are relatively the same, but I even doubt why Sorento is priced higher than SF. That is all! :)
        1
    • the 8th Jan 27 2012 @ 12:05pm
       
      Maybe coz the Santa Fe is built on the old platform, and the Sorento is newer. There'll be a new Santa Fe coming out soon, probably based on the same underpinnings as the new Sorento
          1
  • papelandia Jan 27 2012 @ 11:31am
     
    Thanks for the comment Sir Queroz

    Right now price difference is around 230,000 for the 4x2 model 1.79m ( sorento ) vs 1.558m ( sta fe ). What do you think the price of the new body sta fe be?
        1
  • BOOGIECAT Jan 27 2012 @ 03:07pm
     
    Mas mura at mas okay ang Montero Sport!

    Santa Fe..Wait for the 2012 MY variant
       
  • barry Jan 27 2012 @ 03:51pm
     
    @dtkiko: o, ayan, botchi said it ha. hehe
    @to the letter sender: if you can wait, the 2012 santa fe will be arriving in our shores this year according to HARI or the hyundai automobile resources inc. so, better wait and have patience.
        1
  • papelandia Jan 27 2012 @ 04:07pm
     
    @barry

    My problem is my budget is only up to 1.6m, If the new sta fe will be priced like the sorento, I might not be able to afford it also
       
    • mindkinetic Jan 28 2012 @ 10:45am
       
      if budget is your concern try to include the chevrolet captiva 2.2 vcdi it also has a 3rd row seat thus providing seating capcity for 7. to mention a few of its standard features you will be happy with are . hydraulic hood stand ( hindi sya tulad ng iba na detukod system hehehe) , glass tailgate with smart wiper, self leveling capability( kahit loaded it will evenly distribute the weight and go back to its standard riding height) , hill assist and descent, winter control( for additional traction when road is slippery, led signal repeater
      integrated to power side mirrors. it also has the best damping technolgy in its class and the 2.2 Has an abundant power of 184 hp and torque @ 400 nm . it's diesel engine is tough as nails and sells cheaper than any of the afformentioned suv above.
         
      • crispinbasilio86 Jan 28 2012 @ 01:55pm
         
        TY mindkinetic for sharing . This car chevrolet captiva 2.2 its awesome also. Practicality, I lke this car instead SF. I like also SF but I much prefer this one when checked the spec. Fuel efficient also EC Combined (mpg) 42.8 or 18.2 kpl,EC Extra Urban (mpg) 51.3 or 21.85 k/l and EC Urban (mpg) 33.2 or 14.14 k/l. I don't know if the engine equipped with Turbo charger because it's not mentioned in spec. If not equipped with T/C much better because additional maintenance for that, very costly when damaged. TY again.
           
        • mindkinetic Jan 28 2012 @ 05:53pm
           
          @crispin : it has an intercooler turbo , but the configuration of the turbo is commensurate to it's engine displacement. the predecessor 2.0 can easily handle the 150 hp and 320 nm of twist the contemporary 2.2 vcdi with a relatively larger displacement can handle the 184 hp (it will not be taxing to te engine) .
             
          • crispinbasilio86 Jan 28 2012 @ 08:42pm
             
            mindkinetic, thanks for the info.
               
      • papelandia Jan 28 2012 @ 06:17pm
         
        Thanks mindkinetic

        I want the styling of the current sta fe compared to captiva. Also, heard that spare parts are hard to come by for chevy
            1
        • mindkinetic Jan 28 2012 @ 07:26pm
           
          santa fe is a good buy unfortunately you ate keen on the money you'll be shelling out. but if u can manage to pull your resources then you wont go wrong with the santa fe, though the sorrento happens to be relatively newer its price vs the other choices will cause a snag in your decision making.
              1
    • barry Jan 30 2012 @ 02:23pm
       
      i don't think so. the 2013 santa fe will be priced i think for just P1.650. but let's just wait for hyundai asia resources inc. on how much they will post on their all-new santa fe. the sorento is a bit too-pricey SUV. just keep visiting on this site for future updates. don't lose hope...
          1
    • barry Jan 30 2012 @ 03:00pm
       
      "Just before the New Year sets in, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai in the Philippines, has got some big news brewing up for 2012. Expanding its current vehicle line-up, they're bringing in three new models next year - the Eon, the long-awaited Veloster, and the all-new Santa Fe. On top of that, expect prices on new Hyundai's to drop after the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) comes into play, which should reduce import tariff rates to 20%".That is according to the statement came from HARI from an another website.
          1
      • papelandia Jan 30 2012 @ 03:24pm
         
        Thanks Sir Barry. So you suggest for me to wait for the new sta fe? Will it be out this yr o next yr pa?
            1
        • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 30 2012 @ 05:40pm
           
          This year. But i Recommend the Chevrolet Captiva. It's very refined and gorgeous, nice features too....
             
  • Kim John Jan 27 2012 @ 05:57pm
     
    ganda ng 2013 santa fe!
        1
  • tidus1203 Jan 27 2012 @ 06:23pm
     
    Uh-oh here we go again. Let's wait for the fanboys to come!
        1
  • kenj23 Jan 27 2012 @ 07:44pm
     
    Haha!! He was like me when I sent my letter about the monty and the SF for my Tita. LOL! Goodluck!
    Fernando Amorsolo is right about the poor after sales service and the parts for the SF. But I still wonder why is the Sorento more pricey than the SF though both have same specs. But in my own opinion you need to choose the SF because it has more to offer than the base variant of the Sorento. the 1.558M SF has already a dvd player with touch sensitive lcd display, while the 1.69M sorento doesn't have the lcd display... But it's still your choice. Wait for the newer SF. :D
       
  • lsdgenie Jan 27 2012 @ 08:08pm
     
    Amazing. Where are all the guys who were calling Botchi a Mitsubishi Fanatic, now that he's recommended a korean SUV?
        1
  • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 27 2012 @ 08:42pm
     
    I'm Back hahahaha............ Miss me? busy ako sa studies ko kaya ngayon lng ako nakabalik d2, anyways........... since the Montero here is Boxed out, i recommend the Kia Sorento. We checked one before and its so amazing! First class features. Hate to lose this time w/ the Montero Sport but i should, anyway its 2012, i'll just wait for 2013 for the revenge of Mitsu to be taken care of the Next-Gen Montero Sport. Cge Hyundai fans, REJOICE! Have fun! Let's just see in 2013 whahahahaha!!!!!
        1
    • murcielago Jan 28 2012 @ 08:48am
       
      Like like! :D
          1
    • RS500 Jan 30 2012 @ 07:44am
       
      ang dapat gawin ng mitsu sa montero nila ay gandahan ang interior quality saka gandahan nila ang interior. buti pa ASX nila matigas mga plastic saka ganda ng setup ng interior.
         
      • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 30 2012 @ 05:43pm
         
        Rumors say that the next-gen Montero Sport will have the same platform w/ the next-gen Pathfinder, this is not new w/ Mitsu-Nissan Partnership.
           
  • jayzeter19 Jan 27 2012 @ 08:51pm
     
    calm... before the comment wars :D
        1
  • yokam888 Jan 27 2012 @ 09:50pm
     
    probably wala nang mangyayaring flaming... na mute na yung mga trolls... anyway... ganda pala ng bagong sta fe so ill suggest to the letter sender to wait for that unit since it fits his vehicle requirements.
        1
  • Feeter Silverster Jan 27 2012 @ 09:59pm
     
    Very good recommendations Sir Botchi, very honest and truthful.
        1
    • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 27 2012 @ 10:14pm
       
      Of course, yan ang gusto marinig ng iba eh. Tingnan mo, kahit ikaw napahanga pero kung ung Montero ang rinecommend ni Botchi, panigurado lahat kayo galit nanaman sa kanya.....
          1
    • Feeter Silverster Jan 27 2012 @ 10:42pm
       
      Not at all, para sa akin ok ang Montero sports pag 4x4 na SUV ang pinaguusapan. Pero secret natin to ha. Hehehe. What I hate about Korean SUVs are their diminishing cabin space, look at the 3rd window, halos nawawala na.
         
      • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 28 2012 @ 12:56pm
         
        d na yan secret hahahaha....... and i agree w/ you too, Korean SUV are like that (except for the Sorento).
           
        • Feeter Silverster Jan 28 2012 @ 08:25pm
           
          Nkakita na ako ng Sorento, yung bago, anliit na rin ng 3rd row space.
              1
          • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 28 2012 @ 08:55pm
             
            but i think the Santa Fe's 3rd row is much smaller. we checked these 2 before kasi
               
  • dsobreo Jan 27 2012 @ 11:10pm
     
    I don't know bakit sinama pa nung letter sender si monty kung ang requirements nya eh non-off roading... Anyways kung ang paguusapan eh interior design, mas lamang si Sorento. Dated na yung current SF so i suggest wait for the 2013 SF. Ano kaya engine nito?
        1
    • maranello_5775 Jan 28 2012 @ 09:17am
       
      maybe because of the montero sport's plush ride though not car-like as those of the korean SUV's, it is not jarring or bouncy
         
  • HKB Jan 28 2012 @ 07:00am
     
    @dsobreo ang makina daw ng bagong SF ay c190 he he he
       
  • papelandia Jan 28 2012 @ 08:36am
     
    Any price idea for the all new sta fe?
        1
  • gundam Jan 28 2012 @ 01:23pm
     
    Mikael update mo naman kami kung ano napili mo.
    Handling, safety, and comfort sa SF yan.
    In the end sabi mo bang for your buck. thats highly debateable pero majority of buyer who uses that criteria ended up buying MS, GLS-V to be specific.
    Wala bang erratum dito. sana di nalito yung letter sender regarding sa error dun sa unibody at ladder frame as mentioned above.
        1
  • Bigforce Jan 28 2012 @ 08:15pm
     
    Quote "I do not need a 4WD, and I will most probably not have to drive in off-road conditions. I drive to Subic or Tagaytay once or twice a month and go around Manila the rest of the time. I just need a comfortable and safe car."

    Hello Mikael,

    I am only posting because of your above statement. My wife drives a 2010 Santafe and I have driven it to subic and tagaytay many times and I can tell you right now magugulat ka with the SF. With your 2.2L CRDI ReVGT 197 HP you can actually overtake every car on the road to subic or tagaytay kung malakas ang loob mo.

        2
    • Bigforce Jan 28 2012 @ 08:20pm
       
      Ooops! not sure what happened here. re-posting!

      Hello Mikael, I am only posting because of your above statement. My wife drives a 2010 Santafe and I have driven it to subic and tagaytay many times and I can tell you right now magugulat ka with the SF. With your 2.2L CRDI ReVGT 197 HP you can actually overtake every car on the road to subic or tagaytay kung malakas ang loob mo.
          1
      • Tandang Sora Jan 31 2012 @ 07:07pm
         
        U NO OVERTAKE ME!! hehehe! :))
           
  • hajabah Jan 28 2012 @ 10:28pm
     
    HETO NA ANG GIYERA.... ng Montero at Santa Fe. hahaha!
        2
  • ocinivek Jan 28 2012 @ 11:16pm
     
    (Your thoughts on the article...)
       
  • ocinivek Jan 28 2012 @ 11:30pm
     
    I recommend the 2010 SF for the letter sender.
    No offense sa Sorento at lalu na sa MS. Sorento has advantage on interior electronics dahil late model na sya. MS naman is astig sa off road but not on highway. SF has 2.2L with 197HP kaya kung speed lang walang ng duda kahit itanong mo pa kay Botchi :)

    Cheers to ALL!
        1
  • josaic Jan 28 2012 @ 11:39pm
     
    I agree with Bigforce! @2.2L 197HP CRDi R-eVGT engine, you will never get behind.
    At mas matipid sa diesel than its 2.5L counterpart

    Compare this: [maxHP(Ps/rpm) : maxTorque(N-m)/rpm] : PriceRange
    MS-VGT [178/4000 : 350/1800-2500] : 1.33M - 1.70M
    SF-ReVGT [197/3800 : 436/1800-2500] : 1.55M - 1.78M
    SORENTO-ReVGT [197/3800 : 436/1800-2500] : 1.7M - 2.?M
        2
    • josaic Jan 28 2012 @ 11:45pm
       
      errata:
      MS-VGT [178/4000 : 350/1800-3500] : 1.33M - 1.70M
          1
    • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 29 2012 @ 08:28pm
       
      Correction
      MS VGT [178/4000 : 350(AT)&400(MT)/1800-2500] : 1.33M-1.708M
         
  • 17Sphynx17 Jan 29 2012 @ 09:22am
     
    Hyundai Santa Fe based on the letter sender's criteria.

    Kia is a little out of the list because I think Hyundai (HARI) Philippines has a better after sales service compared to Kia, at least that is what I got from them, after seeing both in action. Still not as on part (I believe) with the other brands though - needs a bit more work, esp with supply issues.
        1
  • RS500 Jan 29 2012 @ 08:40pm
     
    Santa Fe for comfort, safety, interior quality and ergonomics. Pero para sa akin safe choice pa din ang Montero, medyo sablay nga lang sa safety kasi di proven ang airbags and safety features ng Montero dahil di yan dumaan sa NHTSA o Euro ncap, non-global car lang kasi parang Fortuner, Innova, Fuzion, Adventure, Vios and etc. Basta Japanese cars safe choice lagi pagdating sa reliability kasi always available mga parts(except subaru and lexus, meron pa ba iba guys?), saka tiwala na tayo na tatagal yan ng ilang decada sa garage natin. Ok din naman magKorean car pero di pa natin alam kung anong magiging state niyan after ten years? five years? Alam mo naman tayong mga pinoy, tumatagal mga kotse sa atin.
        1
    • Kyoichi Sudo Jan 29 2012 @ 10:43pm
       
      True sir, you'll never know how long can a korean car live perfectly
         
  • kenj23 Jan 30 2012 @ 08:00pm
     
    @RS500- Hindi lahat ng dealerships ng hyundai maganda after sales service... For example ung Hyundai Manila Bay pangit service nila ee....

    (since ako naman ung letter sender last yr tungkol sa Monty at SF)

    @Mikael- Go for the Hyundai Santa Fe, my tita and tito owns a 2010 SF, at grabe! ang smooth ng drive, good value for money and matipid sya sa gas. So better go for a SF` and if you can wait just a little longer may new SF na lalabas. Basta suggestion ko lang maghanap ka ng magandang dealer try mo ung Hyundai Quezon Avenue or North Edsa. Basta iwasan mo sa Manila Bay kasi pangit service nila.
        1
  • atmar Jan 31 2012 @ 05:58pm
     
    botchi has been officially declared an enemy of MSCP hehehe!
        1
  • dhryfusc Feb 09 2012 @ 10:16am
     
    guys napanood nyo na sa youtube about na may nagsampa na ng kaso sa montero sudden accelaration problem. just type " untv manibela montero sport sudden accelaration. sabi hearsey lang daw bat may nagsampa ng kaso. the truth is prevail..
       
  • dhryfusc Feb 09 2012 @ 10:18am
     
    Watch the TV show Manibela every Friday 4:30PM to 5:00PM and Sunday 5:00PM to 5:30PM on UNTV to learn about the Mitsubishi Montero sudden acceleration accidents (on TV: UHF Channel 37, on cable: Sky Cable Channel 33 & 58, Destiny Cable & Dream Satellite Channel 9).
       
  • dhryfusc Feb 09 2012 @ 10:21am
     
    kinasuhan na ang mitsubishi........ ito na ang sabi nila hearsey lang,,,,,,,,,,,, ito na ang katotohanan. just
    type "untv manibela montero sport sudden acceleration" mapanood sa
    http://www.youtube.com
        1
  • smurf44 Apr 23 2012 @ 10:06pm
     
    I have a 4-yr old santa fe and I still love driving it! 70,000kms sa odometer but is still very ok. Took it to Baguio just last week. Superb handling sa kennon. Still hits 190kph in nlex and skyway (yung walang radar hehe). I plan to trade in pag dating ng new model. Can't wait!!
       
Filter comments by:
1 to 20 of 40