Final due diligence SantaFe AWD 2.0T Limited and Subaru Outback w/EyeSight

[hwitten]

Narrowing my search down to these 2.
Replacing 2011 MKZ if I can confirm the CUV gives close to same comfort in ride, noise, etc. I.e. creature comforts I want to be same or at least close to same as the MKZ.

Why CUV?
Tired of fighting trunk space, or lack thereof :-)
May want to tow small trailer, ranging from small utility to small travel (less than 2000 lbs)

I do like some of the tech toys that EyeSight provides, which SantaFe doesn't offer.

Eliminated SUVs like MKX. Too big/cumbersome.

Has anyone gone through similar? Any pointers?
Any pointers as to what to look at to compare that I may have missed.

At the moment it's a flip of a coin and the coin stayed on edge. I'm trying to make it fall one way or the other

Still digging through forums, etc. but thought I'd post my dilemma in case I'm missing something.

Whatever I buy, is expected to be a keeper, like hopefully 8-10 years+

[debyne]

I've never driven a Subaru, but I absolutely love my wife's new Santa Fe. In fact, I love her car so much that I'm buying another one for me . Regarding the Eyesight system, I'm personally not a fan based upon how it works and whether it really helps you avoid a collision. Here's a link on Consumer Reports doing a review of it:
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...the-track.html

The only technology I wish our car had is the power liftgate. However, it's not that big of a deal for me and I think eliminating it as an option was likely to keep the weight of the car down. Blind spot indicators are pointless in my opinion because I have my side view mirror adjusted properly such that I never have a blind spot.

[fatabbot]

The Subaru will have better resale value, that's about the only real advantage I'd give it. Well, their AWD is superior, too.

I owned a 2010 OB and it was one of the worst cars I've owned (see my posts on subaruoutback.org). A bunch of minor issues and several major issues. The car was either aggravating the **** out of me or boring me to death. No personality, just an appliance.

Sent from my LG-VS700 using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[hwitten]

Thank you. Exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm already putting a somewhat less value on EyeSight as I ponder/review my actual driving environment.

AWD is just to make it a bit safer (perhaps) in snow/slush/crap, at least that's what I'm hoping. I.e. not anticipating any real off-road.
For winter I have to put snows on anyways so I plan on an extra set of wheels (steel), which is what I have now on my MKZ.

One complaint I had today was the lack of seat angle adjustment. I'm hoping it was just minor and I'll get used to it. Plan to spend some more time in it tomorrow.

[debyne]

Originally Posted by fatabbot

Well, their AWD is superior, too.

For my own education, what makes Subaru's AWD system superior? I learned that I can lock the differential in the Santa Fe's if you want forced 4WD.

[debyne]

Originally Posted by hwitten

One complaint I had today was the lack of seat angle adjustment. I'm hoping it was just minor and I'll get used to it.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by a lack of seat angle adjustment? I know I can recline all the seats in my car, both front and back.

[hwitten]

Originally Posted by debyne

For my own education, what makes Subaru's AWD system superior? I learned that I can lock the differential in the Santa Fe's if you want forced 4WD.

Symmetrical (Subaru) vs Asymmetrical I believe.

I hadn't gotten to SantaFe's differential lock. That would actual do better in snow, etc. ? I.e. creeping up a slippery hill?
More digging to do. Thank you.

[hwitten]

Originally Posted by debyne

Can you elaborate on what you mean by a lack of seat angle adjustment? I know I can recline all the seats in my car, both front and back.

The actual seat, the butt part, is angled lower in the front than in my current car.

Seat back is great and I think the multi lumbar is too.
Just not being able to raise the front of the seat a bit higher threw me a bit.
Hopefully it was just an initial expression. Had jacket on too which may have thrown me a bit. Hence the plan to revisit.

[debyne]

Originally Posted by hwitten

Symmetrical (Subaru) vs Asymmetrical I believe.

I hadn't gotten to SantaFe's differential lock. That would actual do better in snow, etc. ? I.e. creeping up a slippery hill?
More digging to do. Thank you.

Gotcha. From what I've recently read, Subaru's symmetrical system is better than asymmetrical because it evenly distributes power to all wheels as needed, as opposed to having a bias to the front wheels. The advantage is better overall traction in snow and ice, but it also means more stress on the driveline because of the constant stress among all 4 wheels even when it's not needed. Also, it can mean reduced MPG. However, if the car has a differential locking mechanism like the new SFs do, then you can go 4WD whenever you want and that'll give you the ultimate power distribution when driving on pure snow or ice.

[OnTheGround]

My Sonata held its value slightly better than a similar Honda Accord would have, and far better than a similar Subaru Legacy. Those are the two cars I cross-shopped when I purchased the Sonata, I confirmed the value through KBB when I went to trade it in, to make sure the Sonata had been a good decision before I went with another Hyundai.

As far as driving, I've heard very few bad things about Subarus, but one of the reasons I opted not to go with the Legacy was a report from several owners of shimmying front wheels at high speed, which Subaru was not acknowledging at the time. Having driven both though, I think the Sonata drove better and had a nicer interior, the Fe's is an improvement on even that.

The difference between the two comes down to dynamics, the Fe is bigger and does not have full time AWD, while the Subaru is smaller and has full time AWD. Now, as far as locking the differential, I haven't had any snow, but whenever I've gone down dirt roads I always lock it, and definitely can feel the rear end being propelled, particularly when a front tire loses contact with the ground and when I'm going up steep hills.