1.3M-Tucson, Sta Fe, CRV, Forester?

[April_Ryan]

I currently own a RAV4-SV MT (7 years old, this month), which I was able to buy through the help of the folks here in Tsikot. I love it and have no regrets buying it over the competing CRV and Escape and X-Trail models at the time. I chose it because it was sporty and it had orange-lighted dashboard

But it's old and so I want a new car. My budget, however is limited to 1.4M or less. So, my choices are:

Tucson R eVGT 2.0L GL 4WD AT-Php 1.338M
Santa Fe 2.4 2WD Petrol - FL AT (Low Specs) -Php 1.368M
CRV 2.0 li 2WD AT - Php 1.325M
Forester 2.0 X - Php 1.378M
Genesis Coupe 2.0 Turbo (Entry) - Php 1.398

The car will be used for 80-85% city driving. And I'm not a fast driver. Space is not a concern (i.e. I'm not a "school bus" and don't ferry people around). It would be nice if the car isn't a guzzler as I get pretty good mileage from my RAV4 now (about 9km/l). There are nearby car dealers for all of the above, except the Subaru. I'd prefer AT over MT, but the Genesis Coupe looks great so I may be able to overlook that

I know that the CRV's design is old. I'm not aware if the current Sta. Fe is already the new model or is merely a facelifted version.

Actually, I'm sorely tempted to get the Php 1.158M model of the Tucson to save 200K and be done with this. I am not aware if the extra 200K for the diesel model is worth the price. I'm also aware that the CRV and the Santa Fe at the 1.3M range are base models. But it would be nice to get a higher-end vehicle for once, so I'm going through this process.

Thoughts?

[Ry_Tower]

I currently own a RAV4-SV MT (7 years old, this month), which I was able to buy through the help of the folks here in Tsikot. I love it and have no regrets buying it over the competing CRV and Escape and X-Trail models at the time. I chose it because it was sporty and it had orange-lighted dashboard

But it's old and so I want a new car. My budget, however is limited to 1.4M or less. So, my choices are:

Tucson R eVGT 2.0L GL 4WD AT-Php 1.338M
Santa Fe 2.4 2WD Petrol - FL AT (Low Specs) -Php 1.368M
CRV 2.0 li 2WD AT - Php 1.325M
Forester 2.0 X - Php 1.378M
Genesis Coupe 2.0 Turbo (Entry) - Php 1.398

The car will be used for 80-85% city driving. And I'm not a fast driver. Space is not a concern (i.e. I'm not a "school bus" and don't ferry people around). It would be nice if the car isn't a guzzler as I get pretty good mileage from my RAV4 now (about 9km/l). There are nearby car dealers for all of the above, except the Subaru. I'd prefer AT over MT, but the Genesis Coupe looks great so I may be able to overlook that

I know that the CRV's design is old. I'm not aware if the current Sta. Fe is already the new model or is merely a facelifted version.

Actually, I'm sorely tempted to get the Php 1.158M model of the Tucson to save 200K and be done with this. I am not aware if the extra 200K for the diesel model is worth the price. I'm also aware that the CRV and the Santa Fe at the 1.3M range are base models. But it would be nice to get a higher-end vehicle for once, so I'm going through this process.

Thoughts?

Tucson R eVGT 2.0L GL 4WD AT-Php 1.338M - this one is the best of the bunch you listed and fits all your requirements and needs. The disel is very thrifty (double digit city mileage if you have a light foot) and the 4WD is a bonus just in case. The look (well if it is in your list) then i assume that you are ok with it.

The ASX being my second close nomination. I suggest you try both before deciding. Good luck in your search.

[Louie_18]

I currently own a RAV4-SV MT (7 years old, this month), which I was able to buy through the help of the folks here in Tsikot. I love it and have no regrets buying it over the competing CRV and Escape and X-Trail models at the time. I chose it because it was sporty and it had orange-lighted dashboard

But it's old and so I want a new car. My budget, however is limited to 1.4M or less. So, my choices are:

Tucson R eVGT 2.0L GL 4WD AT-Php 1.338M
Santa Fe 2.4 2WD Petrol - FL AT (Low Specs) -Php 1.368M
CRV 2.0 li 2WD AT - Php 1.325M
Forester 2.0 X - Php 1.378M
Genesis Coupe 2.0 Turbo (Entry) - Php 1.398

The car will be used for 80-85% city driving. And I'm not a fast driver. Space is not a concern (i.e. I'm not a "school bus" and don't ferry people around). It would be nice if the car isn't a guzzler as I get pretty good mileage from my RAV4 now (about 9km/l). There are nearby car dealers for all of the above, except the Subaru. I'd prefer AT over MT, but the Genesis Coupe looks great so I may be able to overlook that

I know that the CRV's design is old. I'm not aware if the current Sta. Fe is already the new model or is merely a facelifted version.

Actually, I'm sorely tempted to get the Php 1.158M model of the Tucson to save 200K and be done with this. I am not aware if the extra 200K for the diesel model is worth the price. I'm also aware that the CRV and the Santa Fe at the 1.3M range are base models. But it would be nice to get a higher-end vehicle for once, so I'm going through this process.

Thoughts?

For me I'd choose the Tucson eVGT CRDi. New and powerful engine. Yung ibang choices mo I think will be less fuel efficient than your RAV4 since yung Sta. Fe is Theta II dyan sa choices mo and not eVGT CRDi

[renzo_d10]

since you dont go that fast scratch off the GC from your list.

my choice would go to the Tucson. Since you wont be ferrying a lot of people around ( 7pax. ) then you wont need the santa fe's extra 2 seats.

the CRV is a bit bumpy. hindi siya comfortable actually.

and since hindi naman forester XT yung subaru, wag na rin. hehehe.

[jhnkvn]

Cross out the Genesis Coupe if you'll be doing city driving only. If you get stuck in yesterday's 3 hour EDSA traffic jam, pilay ka na the next day besides, having a coupe is impractical in everyday city life.

I wouldn't consider a Forester if it's not turbocharged... hehe, so 2.5XT ito or nothing.

The CR-V is a potential pick. You get reliability Honda is known for and the interior is, by far, class-leading. Suspension is a bit firm, but that's about it. As it shares the same chassis from that of the Civic, expect Civic driving dynamics here with added heft thrown in. I actually liken the driving to that of a Accord.

Santa Fe's a bit of a waste without its famed diesel engine. So let's choose the next one..

Tucson eVGT should be your top pick. It has a ***y styling, lots of toys thrown in. Haven't test driven one so I can't comment with the driving experience itself. But engine is VERY capable. You can throw in Hyundai's rising popularity among the Filipino car buyers as a plus too

[hondaboot]

don't get the GC it's for guys only

[Starex_Gold]

don't get the GC it's for guys only

--------------

Tucson R-eVGT gets my vote. Kung hindi lang din diesel yung Santa Fe wag nalang.

City driving:


Highway driving: Pure hataw (130kph to 180kph)


Yung Forester, wag nalang kasi hindi naman XT.

CR-V, luma na. At hindi naman TOTL kaya di maganda.

Genesis Coupe, why?

[Bruks_pt]

If you can hold off a bit, it might be worth waiting for the new Kia Sportage. It's a stunner and should be a good drive. I own a Forester 2.0 and the outgoing Sportage, both of which are capable vehicles. But the great reviews on the new Sportage may make it worth the wait. Tucson is nice, but I think the design may be passe quite quickly - no offense to Tucson owners.

[SiRbossR]

Get the Tucson R-eVGT. It's the best among all you mentioned.

[April_Ryan]

Thanks for the tip guys. It looks like the diesel Tucson variant is the unanimous choice.

What about the gas-powered Tucson versus the diesel? Is the latter worth the 200K difference?

[nitrogen]

I'll go with the CRV on this one.
The 2.0L engine is very refined yet economical.
Typical Honda reliability and excellent handling.
Perfect for the city and occasional out of town trips.
Styling is a matter of personal taste but I think the CRV's will hold up over time.
Just my two cents.

[niky]

The gas Tucson is pretty good... drives nice, feels lighter than the diesel, and the 6-speed tranny makes up for the lack of power.

If you're willing to stump up for the diesel Tucson... that'll give you decent fuel consumption and a little "yahoo" from time to time when you can get out on the highway.

I like the CR-V. The new CR-V has a revised suspension that gives it a softer ride than before and better handling... more comparable to the ASX and Tucson. And it's still unbeatable in terms of seat space and comfort (the second row is as good as the Santa Fe or better) and the interior quality is better than your other choices. Only issue is the hard rear bench, but you're not sitting there. The 2.0 lacks low-end torque, and you'll notice it more than in the Tucson or the ASX, since the CR-V only has a five-speed auto. But if you're not a "fast" driver, it's no biggie.

The ASX is the most carlike of your choices. Drives exactly like a Lancer... on stilts. It's light, nippy and easy to thread through traffic. The CVT may seem weird at first, but it's perfect for daily use (the only better transmission out there is the CVT in the X-Trail). It should give you pretty good fuel consumption, as it's very light. But we haven't done a long-tem test of one, yet. And there are some pretty good discounts if you pay cash.

The only problem with the ASX is cargo space. It's tiny. Ground clearance is a non-issue.. as none of these are off-roaders, and ground clearance has nothing to do with flood-fording (as it doesn't tell you where the intake is).

[poknet]

Thanks for the tip guys. It looks like the diesel Tucson variant is the unanimous choice.

What about the gas-powered Tucson versus the diesel? Is the latter worth the 200K difference?

IMO worth it yung 200k kung from time to time e gusto mo "humataw" kasi totoo yung sabi nila na mapapa "yahoo" ka. pero accdng to you nga hindi ka naman fast driver, siguro ok din yung 2.0 GLS. yan din ang choice ko last year 2.0 GLS pero i ended up with the R eVGT kasi yun ang available that time. pero no regrets malakas at matipid ang diesel version.

[eljo3025]

Tucson 2.0 GL e-VGT, Santa Fe, CR-V order of preference.

Why not get the 2.0 GL A/T to save money. I bet this is almost the price you bought your RAV4. Depreciation din ng low end sa high end halos parehas lang in the future.

Pero if money is not a concern go with the first three choices.

[Mguy]

Again, advise ko ulit, evaluate your needs. Medyo malayo yata ang functions ng mga small SUV and yun Genesis.

I test driven all except the ASX, but I heard it sounds good to drive, but small lang daw cargo space.

The Tucson also drove very nicely. I preferred the gas vs. the diesel though. The looks are good, but the reason I didn't buy it is because its claustrophobic sitting at the back. Plus there were a lot of birth pains for this model last year. I think they pretty much ironed out all problems now.

The Santa Fe was great! Very powerful engine, lots of features. I wished I have bought that but kulang sa budget. I remember the cheapest selling at 1.5m+.

Forester was so pogi naman, full of features such as All Wheel Drive, boxer engine, sunroof and all. This was my choice but natalo ako sa family voting as my wife opted for the CR-V.

CR-V is a great vehicle, albeit an old design but it works. Forget what you hear na matagtag sya. The new version rides smoothly. And if you want space, you'll have lots of it with this car. You'll know its a great car kasi maski na old version, it still sells like hotcakes.

Test drive it with your family, if you have one, and you'll actually see the difference between them.

[Starex_Gold]

The Santa Fe was great! Very powerful engine, lots of features. I wished I have bought that but kulang sa budget. I remember the cheapest selling at 1.5m+.

1.3M yung cheapest Santa Fe. 2.4L Theta II yung engine.

[eljo3025]

1.3M yung cheapest Santa Fe. 2.4L Theta II yung engine.

Baka yung sinasabi ni Mguy yung 2006 model na Santa Fe noon. Yung VGT CRDi na Santa Fes pa lang. Wala pang gasoline engine na SF noon kaya 1.5m+ niya naalala.

[Starex_Gold]

Last year lang siya bumili ng CR-V eh.

Meron na nung Theta II Santa Fe.

[Mguy]

May 2010 to be exact. Hmmm. The sales agent from Hyundai Pasig offered me 2 types of Santa Fe only, the 4x2 and 4x4. Both CRDi.

Oh well, I'll probably stick with the CRV anyway if the lower version is very bare.

[April_Ryan]

Just to clarify, which one (among my choices) is the "ASX"? Just backread the answers anew and realized two posters mentioned "ASX". I looked at my initial post and I never mentioned "ASX" among the choices