Hyundai 2020 Santa Fe trade for a Honda 2023 CRV

Question

Scotty,

I currently own a 2020 Santa Fe with 16k miles. This suv has a 8 speed transmission and GDI fuel injection. I love the car, but in listening to you on your show, you do not like Korean cars for long term aspects.

I'm thinking of selling the Santa Fe and getting a new Honda CRV 2023, as you love Toyota and Honda's.

I need you thoughts on the 2023 Honda CRV. They are putting the 1.5 turbo engine in it and I have heard you say that you don't like this engine, but that is the only engine you can get without moving to a Hybrid, which I don't like. Also it is a GDI with turbo and CVT transmission.

What are your thoughts, stay with the Santa FE or make the move to he CRV?

Thanks and I just love you program

Dave

kesterpaul62 · Accepted Answer

Do not trade your Hyundai for the CRV with the 1.5 Turbo. An engine that small will not hold up over time. Have you test driven the hybrid version?

Whatchamacallit · Answer

I would not get the CRV 1.5L Turbo and CVT - not for long term ownership. You also have to deal with timing belt changes, valve adjustments, susceptibility to carbon buildup over time, small turbo engine under stress, and CVT. I would avoid the CRV if you can. Honda is not what they used to be. You are better looking at a Toyota; it doesn’t have many of those shortcomings I listed - for long term ownership I’d gamble on Toyota.

Dan · Answer

I’d avoid the CRV - the engines have unsolved issues, transmissions aren’t great, it’s just mediocre.

If you want to upgrade, the best option would be a RAV4, or maybe even a RAV4 hybrid as Toyota now has much longer warranties on hybrid components and batteries.

If you don’t drive much, love the SantaFe, service it frequently and make sure to be compliant with Hyundai’s warranty requirements- the the car you have right now is decent during the warranty period.

But it must be said that virtually all of these run into oil burning issues, there have been a lot of questions / posts on the forum about it.

Also is your transmission the nightmare dual clutch or the solid and smooth conventional automatic? (Both have 8 speeds)