2013 Highlander or 2013 Santa Fe

[2008wrx]

both FWD, 2WD. There is a very small price difference, wife is not too happy if we decided to go for the Hyundai? She will probably say something like: I told you, bla bla bla. I like the Santa Fe style. 5 or 7 passengers dont matter...
2013 Santa Fe LTD leather; Fwd etc... MSRP 35K
2013 SE Highlander MSRP 36K
What to choose...

 

[glock19]

Happy wife, happy life. Get the Highlander.

My gf has a 2010 Highlander even though she drives 30K miles a year. She definitely should be driving something way more fuel efficient but it's what she wants to drive so I don't say a word.

 

[rshaw125]

Ford Explorer.

 

[needsducktape]

Every day I am blown away that Toyotas and Hyundais are nearly the same price.

Am I the only one who remembers the 1990s and early part of 2000s

Yeah yeah I know Hyundai has "come a long way" but Toyota has been proven for 30+ years...

Both will serve the purpose well and prove many years of useful life. If money is a factor I think the Toyota is a better value (resale value)

 

[bepperb]

2014 Highlander. 2013 is the last year for this chassis.

If it had to be now to be honest I would buy what my wife wanted. Also consider the Toyota name will easily get you a grand more when you trade it in, so the cost difference is nothing.

 

[2008wrx]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
Ford Explorer.


I have been looing at Explorer too. Its even more expensive than Hi & San.

 

[NHGUY]

How they name vehicles....geez..
A Korean Santa Fe from New Mexico,
A Japanese Highlander from Scotland...
lol

 

[2008wrx]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
Every day I am blown away that Toyotas and Hyundais are nearly the same price.

Am I the only one who remembers the 1990s and early part of 2000s

Yeah yeah I know Hyundai has "come a long way" but Toyota has been proven for 30+ years...

Both will serve the purpose well and prove many years of useful life. If money is a factor I think the Toyota is a better value (resale value)


you are reading my mind. LOL

 

[THORROMIG]

Proven reliability for 20plus years. Toyota all day & trade in value will be higher also!!

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

For that kind of money I would rather get a CPO Lexus RX or Audi Q5.

 

[JHZR2]

Id probably wait for the highlaner refresh and then figure it out. Crazy dollars for those two vehicles.

Id look at the hybrid personally.

 

[Danno]

Toyota - proven platform all..day..long.

 

[2008wrx]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
For that kind of money I would rather get a CPO Lexus RX or Audi Q5.


Good idea about RX. Are those water pump R&R cost over $1000 on the V6 RX? And, they last around 60000 miles? Cause CPO ususally around 50K miles.

 

[abycat]

Id pick a toyota over the hyundai. I would also rather not get a first model year either. I know you said 2013 not 14. Have you checked out the nissans? They have some nice suv's. I picked up a first model year of the 88 or 89 bonneville and it was a bad car. I know its not apples to apples but makes me think a bit when I check out new cars.

 

[surfstar]

That's a lot of $. 401k & IRA are max'd out, right?

Is this for 'her' car / commuter? Or are there kids to shuffle around?

Mazda CX-5 for $15k less if you don't need all that space.

 

[GenSan]

As much as I preach to my wife that she doesn't need a new vehicle......be happy with what we have.........we're not multi-millonaires(and even they go bankrupt)......she has the new car itch bad.

And as much as I love true SUVs'(pick-up truck platforms) and despise crossovers(sedan platforms) my wife REALLY loves the 2013 Highlander Hybrid Limited.

After a recent test drive I said to myself, a happy wife is a happy life. Oh and I was kinda shocked that such a heavy vehicle would get around 30mpg, ride so plush & quietly, and have 280hp to boot.....my wife was sold and I sort of was too after the test drive.

I laid the law down and said we are not buying the 2013 Highlander Hybrid Limited until she test drives the following:
2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, 2014 Infinity QX60(JX35) Hybrid, 2014 Acura MDX, and of course the upcoming 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. All these crossovers should get around 30mpg and seat 7.

Good Luck with you and your wife's decision and between the two, I would seriously consider the Highlander in hybrid trim.

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: asiancivicmaniac
For that kind of money I would rather get a CPO Lexus RX or Audi Q5.


This is what we might do. We have considered the Santa fe as well. My daughter has a new Q5 and the wife likes it.

 

[bepperb]

RX, v6 Highlander and my minivan all share the same 3.5 V6, water pumps aren't an every 60,000 mile r&r item. Although our van has the 6 speed (vs a 5 speed in the models you are considering) it's a pretty impressive powertrain. Gets 24mpg on highway trips our Highlander 4cyl gets 25.5 on.

The prices seem high, the new model coming out should result in some rebates/deals on the '13's now. Or consider that it's been roughly the same vehicle since 2008 and maybe buy one a year or three old?

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
Every day I am blown away that Toyotas and Hyundais are nearly the same price.

Am I the only one who remembers the 1990s and early part of 2000s

Yeah yeah I know Hyundai has "come a long way" but Toyota has been proven for 30+ years...

Both will serve the purpose well and prove many years of useful life. If money is a factor I think the Toyota is a better value (resale value)


Both aren't not really close to the same price but a lot closer than in the past.
The Santa Fe is a Limited w/leather and such.
The Highlander is an SE and not a Limited.A Highlander Limited would be at least $4k more comparably equipped.

 

[hypervish]

Definitely CPO RX or 2014 Highlander.