2015/16 Santa Fe
Hi people,
I am looking to change my lovely Grand Cherokee for something more economical and younger,
The two cars I have shortlisted is number 1 the new Santa Fe, nearly 200 bhp and looks superb. I have road tested a 65 plate one and been all over it like a cheap suit and it is top of the list,
However, the 2014 Chevy Captiva has caught my eye, a nice looking SUV with bags of grunt 188 bhp and a lot of bang for my buck.
But there is another quandry. . .
Auto or Manual?? With our van weighing in at around 1650 kgs and losing around 500 kgs on the Grand Cherokee, would the auto box cope? Theoretically they would I wondered if any other members own either the Santa Fe or the Captiva and tow a twin axle???
Cheers
Dave
Comments
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Hi MM,
I've read most of the posts on manual v autos, and I'm aware that it is mostly down to the individuals choice, I was kinda thinking along the lines of whats best for the vehicle if you get my drift
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Changed from a previous G Cherokee auto to the previous S Fe model 61 plate manual towing 1500 kg caravan and 2500 kg boat on a ta trailer. (Not at same time). Much prefer the auto box for towing - some chat rooms report unfavourably on previous models clutch
lifespan and we seem to experience clutch burn in manoevering. Prefer the G Cherokee off road, and in snow and ice, with heavy loads behind but found the S Fe a capable, more economical and a less wallowy ride than GC. Current S Fe may have a suspension which
soaks up the bumps better than ours but driving performance and ride comfort are personal preferences. S Fe's 5 year warranty a useful insurance policy- but beware of small print. Tyres lasted over 40 k on both. Auto S Fe is rated lower at 2000kg towing weight
whereas manual at 2500 which is only reason we went manual.0 -
Hi G Cherokee
I have an auto Sante Fe and switched from manuals after 30 yrs. I have found it to be a lot easier to drive especially when towing our coachman vip at 1670kg can cruise at 60mph and very stable with all our gear in the back average about 30mpg towing 35
ish around town I enjoy driving it and would not go back to a manual now but its all down to personal preference hope this helps in your selectionKeep on caravanning
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Interesting, about to change my shogun, was looking at the Outlander but her that has to be obeyed favours the Sa-fe. When l looked at closely and did some ivestigating had to agree with her better looking bigger kerb weight than the Outlander and looking
at the reports comes out well as a good tow car. Not much different in price either so l have more or less made my mind up, just thinking whether to go for a 66 plate or wait for the 67, reading the spec it says you can't tow with the sa-fe until its done
1 800 miles this would take me about 2 months to do from new for me, so may look at the 66 plate dosn't seem to be much different in looks than the 67 plate.0 -
Hi G Cherokee
I have an auto Sante Fe and switched from manuals after 30 yrs. I have found it to be a lot easier to drive especially when towing our coachman vip at 1670kg can cruise at 60mph and very stable with all our gear in the back average about 30mpg towing 35
ish around town I enjoy driving it and would not go back to a manual now but its all down to personal preference hope this helps in your selectionKeep on caravanning
Write your comments here...
Ok Bluerocket you sold it to me, thanks just what I wanted to hear.
I was suprised to see the towing capacity lower on on the auto than the manual tho.
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Just changed my XC60 auto for a new Santa Fe auto. Haven't towed with it yet, but only because the dealer had to lend me a replacement (which happened to be a manual) for a trip this weekend. Why? Because they told me there was no runnning in period before
towing on my auto, but on reading the instruction book after I'd picked up the new one, it states clearly "no towing in first 1200 miles". Only comment I could meaningfully make at this early stage is that having towed with a manual this weekend, I'm pleased
I chose an automatic. I'm looking forward to next trip with my own Santa Fe after doing the 1200miles.0 -
Just changed my XC60 auto for a new Santa Fe auto. Haven't towed with it yet, but only because the dealer had to lend me a replacement (which happened to be a manual) for a trip this weekend. Why? Because they told me there was no runnning in period before
towing on my auto, but on reading the instruction book after I'd picked up the new one, it states clearly "no towing in first 1200 miles". Only comment I could meaningfully make at this early stage is that having towed with a manual this weekend, I'm pleased
I chose an automatic. I'm looking forward to next trip with my own Santa Fe after doing the 1200miles.Write your comments here...
That`ll be any excuse to drive it about then???
You could always jack it up and leave it drive!!!
(Not that I`d think that was the best idea I`ve ever had!)
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I tow a twin axle Lunar Delta with my KIA Sorento auto with ease. It is the first auto that I have owned and I certainly would not return to a manual for towing. The whole experience is much more relaxed. Reversing is much smoother due to just using the
torque of the engine to slowly back the van. Similarly stop start traffic is easier on the car, and my left foot, than with a manual.0 -
I tow a twin axle Lunar Delta with my KIA Sorento auto with ease. It is the first auto that I have owned and I certainly would not return to a manual for towing. The whole experience is much more relaxed. Reversing is much smoother due to just using the
torque of the engine to slowly back the van. Similarly stop start traffic is easier on the car, and my left foot, than with a manual.Another first time convert ..... you know it makes sense!
PS you can keep you left foot exercised by using it for the brake ..... 2 feet .... 2 pedals
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Glad to hear its only 1200 miles with the sat-fe thought it was 1800 will do the 1200 in 8 weeks. Looking to change in the new year. It will be wrench to let the shogun go only towed with Shoguns had three but the tax on my 07 has risen from 300 quid to
520 quid thanks alot Gordon Brown and co0 -
I tow a twin axle Lunar Delta with my KIA Sorento auto with ease. It is the first auto that I have owned and I certainly would not return to a manual for towing. The whole experience is much more relaxed. Reversing is much smoother due to just using the
torque of the engine to slowly back the van. Similarly stop start traffic is easier on the car, and my left foot, than with a manual.PS you can keep you left foot exercised by using it for the brake ..... 2 feet .... 2 pedals
Like what I do
But then again, there is a very nice left foot rest in the Sorento.
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I have towed for the last 4 years with a Santa Fe auto, pulling a 1,500 kg caravan. No troubles at all. I would not dream of going manual and this is the first auto I have ever owned. The thought of all that palarva of changing gears at roundabouts etc.
Who needs i?. Its hard enough towing a 7 metre beast behind you without worrying about what gear you're in.0 -
Don't for the love of God buy a Captiva!
I tow our 1555kg caravan with a Volvo V70 D5, 215hp, what a car that is, but it has to go next year and I want an auto now I'm getting on a bit. Sadly Volvo has stopped making the V70 so I was looking at a Santa Fe or a Volvo XC60. Not sure I want to give
Volvo my money after so many years of loyalty only to be let down. The V90 is way over priced.Sounds like the Santa Fe might be a good car although I have never owned a Hyundai and am a bit wary.
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Ian who fitted your tow bar, just been quoted £840 by Hyundai, didnt think it was to bad as their will be no warranty issues. Could probibly get it cheaper but if things go wrong then you have the problem of invoking the warranty, anyone had it done other
than by Hyundai0 -
Hethers -
my dealer recommended an independent fitter in Peterborough, almost as tho they didn't want to do it. The quote for a Witter towbar (detachable) with specified harness was £590. My regular towbar people ( Tanfield) quoted £680. I opted for the cheaper one.
All ok except they scratched the rear sill. Not serious and they called in specialist body repair firm at their own cost, & it's now invisible.0 -
Hi all, I recently traded my face lift 2006 kia sorento which was a brilliant tow car. Only off loaded it due to turbo blowing up and engine was never the same. Managed to limp it to a dealers who did not spot the horrendous smoking and gave me £3000.
For a one owner 2011 santa fe premium auto. One disabled owner. It's immaculate. Only thing is I don't feel it tows as well as my kia. I tow a compass rallye 634 twin axle 1636 kg and I note many others here are towing similar weights. Now I was carrying
all my kit under the bed. Awning, poles, chairs etc. Also our cases with clothing up front. It got out of shape over 55 so kept it to 50. Even white vans were causing wind deflection. So the other weekend I dropped my rear seats and put everything in the
car making the van lighter. Is there something I'm missing here. I do know my hitch friction pads need changing. Any advice pls.0 -
Heethers,
yes, it's the detachable one. It's not quite as invisible as the Volvo one I had, as the latter completely (including elec socket) sat behind a snap on plastic cover. On this Santa Fe Witter model, there is a small bracket protruding which the overall swan
neck snaps into. very easy. The elec socket is on a ratchet and simply clicks down into place, so is mostly invisible when not towing. But overall, I'm happy with it.0 -
Hi all, I recently traded my face lift 2006 kia sorento which was a brilliant tow car. Only off loaded it due to turbo blowing up and engine was never the same. Managed to limp it to a dealers who did not spot the horrendous smoking and gave me £3000.
For a one owner 2011 santa fe premium auto. One disabled owner. It's immaculate. Only thing is I don't feel it tows as well as my kia. I tow a compass rallye 634 twin axle 1636 kg and I note many others here are towing similar weights. Now I was carrying
all my kit under the bed. Awning, poles, chairs etc. Also our cases with clothing up front. It got out of shape over 55 so kept it to 50. Even white vans were causing wind deflection. So the other weekend I dropped my rear seats and put everything in the
car making the van lighter. Is there something I'm missing here. I do know my hitch friction pads need changing. Any advice pls.Write your comments here...
You didn`t mention if changing the load from van to car made any difference??
I think, (and I will be shot down in flames if I`m wrong)
But puttin more weight in the back of your car is as bad as overloading the van, (reducing nose weight??)
Maybe you will get better results by spreading the weight over the two, putting the heavy items like the awing over the axles in the van, cases and cloting put in the car.
I`m no expert, but that what seems to be the most popular thing to do.
Sorry I cant be of more help, I`m a newbie to all this, but by following the above suggestions, Ive never had a "twitch" from our twin axle swift.
Dave.
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But puttin more weight in the back of your car is as bad as overloading the van, (reducing nose weight??)
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As long as the weight is over or forward of the rear axle and you don't overload it ..... as shown by the weight limits on your car .... then it's better in the car
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It feels better with the weight in the car. I'm not over loading it as it could carry 3 more adults plus some luggage so the awning etc is nowhere near that.
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