2.5-litre Subaru Forester AWD or 2.2-litre Hyundai Sante Fe eVGT 4x4

**hinDMaxsiado** · July 22nd, 2011 04:12 PM

Good day gentlemen.

Just a brief, i'm planning now to acquire an SUV/ or a Crossover for my family.

i know you guys are more in the know when it comes to the intricate details of a fine SUV (like a Forester, or even perhaps like a Santa Fe) that's why i'm here soliciting advices from you. Besides, over the past years i have only personally owned two Isuzu DMax and a Crosswind. As a family, yes, we have a Monterosport by my in-laws, a Honda Civic, a Mitsubishi Adventure and a Kia Sorento. But i only get to drive these vehicles in some occasions though we just live right next to each other.

i know somehow that comparing a diesel-powertrain such like that of the Santa Fe's engine is apple-and-orange from a gasoline-fed Subaru. At this stage, i am "still" quite keen on having the Santa Fe eVGT after test-driving quite a number of them from friends and most recently, from Hyundai dealers on the newly-facelifted model. i'm really really impressed, specifically with its engine responsivesness and ride and overall maneouvreing manners. The Santa Fe 4x4 is priced at PhP 1.79M. It's a 7-seater car and pumps out 197 metric-hp and produces a strong diesel torque of 435 Nm from 1800 rpm to 2500 rpm.

BUT lately, what really got my attention as regards to the Forester AWD is that it is priced at PhP 1.75M, yet it pumps out a WHOPPING peak 230 metric-hp for its size!!!! It also makes a decent peak torque of 320 Nm. The 5-seater Forz must also weigh lesser than the Santa Fe. My thoughts are really now being swayed as reality bites (late 30's and with a growing family that i need to look after), i only get to personally own a 230-hp fine SUV perhaps once in my lifetime and to sum up it all, it's a Subaru, for what it's worth!!!!
....Unless of course, i aim for the astronomically-expensive 4.5-litre V8 Toyota Landcruiser LC200, which i really really like but doesn't have the money-to-go for it hehe.... Or, a 300 metric-hp Subaru Impreza WRX-STi for a car

Does Motor Image Philippines allow test-driving of their cars, just to allow a potential buyer a seat-of-pants feel of a certain unit?

Thanks for all your advices and time in doing so.

I trust guys that everything is well with you all, always.

Kind regards,

hinDMaxsiado

**renzo_d10** · July 22nd, 2011 05:29 PM

Hello.

In my honest opinion, since you're already a family guy, the Santa Fe would be the best pick. Coming from several Isuzu's, you might feel the sudden change regarding the maintenance cost ( PMS, FUEL ! & other misc. ) of the Subaru.

Having driven a Forester, I can really attest that it's one beastly vehicle. The responsiveness is incomparable to other competitors on the same segment as where it is. The ride is quiet, the interior bits is great. Nothing fancy, at all. Everything's laid as simple as it can. The looks are bland, which hides the power from the general people who doesn't know how a Forester responses, etc.

Going back, I believe that your thirst for power can be already filled by the Fe. Again, from an Isuzu, who uses an old-school diesel, you would definitely notice the change in power as compared to coming from a CRDi Sorento to a CRDi Santa fe or whatever comparison for that matter.

Also to add, the legroom for the Forester on its backseat is a bit appalling since it's literally small. Well, I'm quite tall. If you're smaller than me you might just find it perfect, or since your kids might be the often backseat riders, they might find it perfect either. Especially if they have tiny legs. lol. Regarding its cargo space, it's bigger than what should be expected. That's all I can say.

In general, the Santa Fe would already suffice. The additional two seats might be a plus and the additional power, would might be again, just perfect for you. The Forester is more of a happy-go-lucky-guy's vehicle. Those who thirst for more. & more importantly, to those who have VERY VERY deep pockets. That statement itself gives you already a complex image on what should be expected during the PMS.

**niky** · July 22nd, 2011 06:27 PM

The Forester is pretty darn quick... but the difference between 197 hp and 230 hp won't be that obvious until you get on the highway.

In the city, the Santa Fe's extra torque and extra gears make it just as lively as the lighter Forester. The Hyundai makes 430+ Nm of torque versus the Forester's 320 Nm, and it has six gears versus the Forester's four. In other words, you get all the power, all of the time. The Forester has a higher top speed and is better on the highway... and is a bit more nimble, but the Santa Fe is better in every other way.

**Si 06** · July 22nd, 2011 06:43 PM

The Forester is fun to drive but is a gas guzzler(5-8kl/l city),has lousy brakes, and expensive parts(90k for 1 headlight assembly). It takes one and a half months for ordered parts to arrive. You still have time to change your dream SUV.

**Starex_Gold** · July 22nd, 2011 10:34 PM

Ayaw mo ng Montero Sport GT-V?

**hinDMaxsiado** · July 22nd, 2011 10:50 PM

Good day Renzo, Niky, Si 06, and Starex Gold.

Thanks a lot for all your replies mga sirs! Much is really appreciated!

With all things said as to the advantages of the Santa Fe in many aspects, i guess there's only one way now to find out the other car ---- the vaunted Subaru; test-drive one 2.5-litre XT to get 1st-hand feel, silipin ang makina, look under the chassis, see the interiors, and entertain whatever the sales agent has to say, as part of the package

Above all else guys, thanks a lot.

Trust that everything is well with all, always.

P.S.

Starex Gold ----
....Sir, gusto ko bumait pero di ko magawa, gusto ko bumait pero di ko magawa. You know very well how i "really dislike" that SUV ahihi....

Mitsubishi Montero Sudden Acceleration Accidents

**Starex_Gold** · July 22nd, 2011 10:58 PM

Hehehehehehe ikaw talaga

Kung practicality ang gusto mo, Santa Fe na yan brader.

Mabilis na rin naman ang Santa Fe, mas mabilis lang ang FXT.

**looks2008** · July 22nd, 2011 10:58 PM

You win either way. Pero mukang sa xt ka papunta based on your thirst. Hehe.

**Si 06** · July 22nd, 2011 11:27 PM

hinDMaxiado I am not a Subaru hater because I still keep 3 STI's but had to let go of the Forester for practical reasons. You might want to buy a diesel SUV and install the Race Chip as an option. I installed the Race Chip in my Forester replacement today and I couldn't be happier.

**hinDMaxsiado** · July 23rd, 2011 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by Starex_Gold

Hehehehehehe ikaw talaga

Kung practicality ang gusto mo, Santa Fe na yan brader.

Mabilis na rin naman ang Santa Fe, mas mabilis lang ang FXT.

Sir Starex_Gold,

Mistulang naguguluhan ako sa wordings mo sir na "mas mabilis nga lang" haha!!!!

My personal opinion on these ***y Subaru's is that although they are mainstream cars, they seem to be more of a BOUTIQUE-TYPE of specialised cars where of course you can only expect TOPNOTCH exhilirating performances out of them. i mean, who doesn't like them?!? Hehe....

Nothwithstanding what all of the advices here point to a fact that the running cost on the Forester will be a lot higher, one thing that is infectiously distracting me from the practical side of things, however, is that paper-spec 230 horses from that ultra-well balanced box-type engine, at parang masarap uling maging binata sir ahoho!

Kind regards.