Today the transmission in my mom's original '89 Cressida stopped working entirely. Actually it was kind of anticipated.
It failed while waiting for a green light. This car had sentimental value to us but we are finally scraping it. I guess it was time.
My mom wants to get either a Hyundai Santa Fe non-hybrid or a Palisade.
Santa Fe is a 2.5 four-cylinder Smartstream and the Palisade is a 3.8 GDI V6.
Which of these two cars is better? Which one should my mom get?
Here is what to expect from most Kia/Hyundais ...
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/hmg/
This is a brand new Palisade. Caught fire when left unattended next to home.
Gee, that's horrible.
The words Hyundai and good are illegal to use in the same sentence.
That dot 3 brake fluid hack, blew my mind!
Hyundai and Kia products should be avoided, unless of course you like self-destructing engines and spontaneous vehicle combustion. See the Hyundai problems topic on this site for details.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/hmg/
I guess I'll talk her out of it then. Should we go Toyota or Honda? Mom wants to try a different brand now. What about Ford or GM? Are there some models worth looking for?
Toyota or Honda would be the top two, with Subaru and Mazda somewhat lower on the totem pole. However you need to be aware of potential problems with some models. Ford and GM quality is in the toilet.
As someone who’s quite familiar with Hyundai-Kia I must say that I’d recommend avoiding both of those.
These are not cars to last 35 years, they’re pretty much disposable.
Consider a RAV4 / 4Runner - they’re much better built, especially the 4Runner.
Sadly, for those looking for an “different brand”, only Toyota still makes some mechanically bulletproof models - others have gone way downhill.
In answer to your question it depends on what you need. The Palisade is a very big vehicle and a gas guzzler. The Santa Fe is a midsize and very manageable in parking lots where as the Palisade barely fits in a standard parking space. Based on her driving a Cressida I would steer in the Santa Fe's direction. That said I don't like the 2.5L turbo. If you can get the non-turbo you will be better off. Smartstream implies a CVT transmission. Last I checked they offered a 8 speed conventional, an 8 speed dual clutch and a CVT (what they call a LVT). I would steer clear of the CVT and the dual clutch and look for the conventional automatic.
That said if you got 30 years out of a Toyota why not another?
Which of these two cars is better?
I wouldn’t even trust a bicycle made by Hyundai..
😆
the head shield
I know right! They could’ve atleast ‘tried’ to make it look safe..