Opinions on Santa Fe or Tucson?

I currently have a 2003 Santa Fe GLS. We're looking to trade it in and I'm
trying to decide between a 2007 Santa Fe GLS or Tucson SE. I'm looking for
the AWD with automatic transmission with the 2.7L engine. We'll be checking
them both out at a dealership, but I was curious what others in the group
thought of them.

After researching on Edmunds.com and other sites, it looks the Tucson is
pretty close to my current Santa Fe (slightly smaller cargo area), while the
new Santa Fe is a step up.

My wife likes the idea of a possible 3rd row seating on the Santa Fe, but
from the reviews I've seen they're not really that usable unless you have
kids. We have one child (16 year old), but we have lots of local family
(parents, aunts, uncles, etc.) and occasionally do the driving to different
functions, so the 3rd row might be a good thing to have.

I also use the car to haul items for home projects (lumber, mulch, etc.) so
having the extra room in the Santa Fe might be useful, but I'm not sure it
justifies the $4K price difference.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Mike O.

 

That is the main difference.. Only you and your banker know that. How do
you like the ride differences? Have you driven both the same day?

 

We're planning to visit the dealer on Saturday. One issue in the whole
decision to trade in is that I'm right about at 60K miles, and I'm looking
at the $1,000 worth of required service. It's a lease that I will be
turning in next year anyway, so I figure I'd rather put the $1,000 toward a
new vehicle now.

I figure any information, thoughts, or opinions on the models would be a
help.

Mike O.

 

FWIW:

I've just replaced my 96 Jeep GC Ltd with an '07 Santa Fe Ltd AWD w/3rd row.
Interior and cargo is actually larger. I dropped some 36x72" screens to be
repaired with the Jeep and had to angle them to get them in from the read
entry and still the rested on top of the front seat head rests. Driving
them there was silly with my head almost out the window.

I picked them up with the replacement Santa Fe. Put the seats flat, slid
all the screens in FLAT and closed the rear lift gate. Plenty of room.

This past weekend I drove around some visiting relatives. Four adults and
two children but one adult was always in the 3rd seat area. Other than
waiting for the middle passenger to flip the seat to allow egress, no room
problems at all. And it includes a read A/C for good control.

Bottom line... go for the Santa Fe.

Good luck.