hyundai santa fe

[glyn_374578006]

Good morning!

We are in the process of changing from motorhome to caravan and are looking at secondhand tow cars. The sata fe fits the bill however, the petrols are so much cheaper than the the diesels and as we will only be doing about 4k a year, the money saved with a petrol puchase will buy a lot of petrol. I know the tax will make me wince, but that's a fact of life. I really fancy the v6 as it's so smooth an engine and I like auto's but I would consider a 2.4 manual at a push. Anyone have experience of these two and what about mpg? Thanks Glyn

 

[Mikey_74]

Hi Glyn I posted this on the Hyundai owners club a couple of weeks ago, it was actualy written for a Hyundai Tucson 2.7 v6 auto, I think it was in May 06 issue of practical caravan:-

173BHP

178lb torque

average economy solo 28.2

average economy towing 21.5

loaded to 87% with Coachman I think it is Amera caravan

Performance

The Tucson's 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine makes rather hard work of propeling the car's 1678kg kerbweight, and with a caravan in tow the engine really has it's work cut out.

From standstill and at lower speeds, tentative pressure on the throttle is required to avoide thrusting forward - a trait that makes smooth passage while manoeuvering a challenge. However with maximum power peaking at 6000rpm, the engine must be worked hard to deliver, at higher speeds the Tucson lacks the shove needed for swift overtaking, but it's not all ill tidings. The 2.7's fuel consumption of 21.5mpg when towing is respectable for a vehicle of this size, and, in fact, is comparable to the averagefuel economy of some 4x4 competitors combined solo cylces

As for the 2.4 a guy that I work with had one and he said the he found it under powered, I have an 05 plate diesel and I'm happy with it, have a drive of a few different cars and see what you think, I hope this helps

 

[glyn_374578006]

Thanks for that Mike.

The figures are about what I expected, albeit a bit lower. I was aiming/hoping for about 25mpg towing. I think the 2.4 goes out the window and a bit more thought about the 2.7.The diesel is a great vehicle and a good engine so,as you say,it's about trying a few and see how we go. Again many thanks. Glyn.

 

[craig_374464107]

Thanks for that Mike.

The figures are about what I expected, albeit a bit lower. I was aiming/hoping for about 25mpg towing. I think the 2.4 goes out the window and a bit more thought about the 2.7.The diesel is a great vehicle and a good engine so,as you say,it's about trying a few and see how we go. Again many thanks. Glyn.

We have a 2003 2.7 and I'd be happy to recommend it. Yes it uses more fuel, but the purchase price was so good that with the mileage it does it'd take around 4 years to get to a level where it would of been worth paying the extra for a diesel

 

[craig_374464107]

e have a 2003 2.7 and I'd be happy to recommend it. Yes it uses more fuel, but the purchase price was so good that with the mileage it does it'd take around 4 years to get to a level where it would of been worth paying the extra for a diesel

 

[glyn_374578006]

Thanks Craig.

We are of the same opinion! It is something that a lot of private motorists don't do ie the maths! It was always about 15k/yr before a diesel made sense and I shouldn't have thought it has changed an awful lot. Be gentle with me, but what do you get mpg wise. I promise not to blub!!

Thanks. Glyn.

 

[craig_374464107]

Hi Glyn

I've not worked it out properly to be honest, but I'd say somewhere around 20 as an average. But that's just with my wife using it once or twice a week to go shopping and stuff.

The only time it gets a run is with the caravan on the back.

It's worth it for the sound and smoothness of the engine.

Craig

 

[nelmo]

I've got the auto diesel (2005 model) and get about 24mpg towing and the same solo (yes, very bad - we do a lot of short journeys to schools etc).

Be aware that an advantage of the diesel for towing is that most of the torque is available at low revs, which makes pulling away with a weight (like a caravan!) much easier than a petrol, which will have to rev higher for the same effect (not good for the clutch if you've got a manual).

 

[glyn_374578006]

After putting the Kleenex away! That's what I reckon Craig, although I think I can probably get about 25/28 with the driving I do. As you say, the smoothness of a V6 and the sound when you wind it up makes diesels very yuk!

I take your point Neil about the torque and clutch but, with a tiptronic you can row it along without a great deal of effort. Plus, as I say, for us petrol heads the sound of a V6 working is pretty good. Sadly, one has to put a bit of tape over the fuel gauge, so you can't see it going down!!

Thanks both. Glyn.