GV70 2.5 vs Santa Fe Calligraphy

[JB808]

I fell in love with the GV70 about a year ago. I test drove the 3.5 and loved the power and handling. But it is a stretch for my budget. I never really considered the 2.0 because I wanted it all.

Fast forward to now. I test drove Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. It drove pretty nice, and has pretty good acceleration. As far as I can tell, it has all of the cool technology features of the sport prestige. It’s roughly 20k less than a GV70 3.5 sport prestige. I am almost sold on it. The problem is, it doesn’t look anywhere as nice as a GV70 and certainly has more plastic interior parts.

So then I started thinking: maybe compromise and get GV70 2.0. I haven’t driven one yet, but I guess the acceleration is comparable to the Santa Fe. It’s price is about midway between a 3.5 sport prestige and the Santa fe

Maybe I’m just looking for somebody to talk me off of this ledge.

 

[Kyle223cat]

I fell in love with the GV70 about a year ago. I test drove the 3.5 and loved the power and handling. But it is a stretch for my budget. I never really considered the 2.0 because I wanted it all.

Fast forward to now. I test drove Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. It drove pretty nice, and has pretty good acceleration. As far as I can tell, it has all of the cool technology features of the sport prestige. It’s roughly 20k less than a GV70 3.5 sport prestige. I am almost sold on it. The problem is, it doesn’t look anywhere as nice as a GV70 and certainly has more plastic interior parts.

So then I started thinking: maybe compromise and get GV70 2.0. I haven’t driven one yet, but I guess the acceleration is comparable to the Santa Fe. It’s price is about midway between a 3.5 sport prestige and the Santa fe

Maybe I’m just looking for somebody to talk me off of this ledge.

The GV70 comes with the 2.5T, which from my understanding is pretty much the same engine that’s in the Santa Fe Calligraphy. I would compromise and get the GV70 2.5T Sport Prestige. The Santa Fe has great tech features, but it doesn’t have the same quality interior, premium platform, or great looks that the GV70 has.

 

[resdoggie]

Apples and oranges comparison. Go for the GV70.

 

[Andyj]

Jump!

 

[Halo777]

I looked at the Santa Fe for a while. But couldn't get past how messy the all of the buttons on the dash looked. Very clunky, and seemingly with no planning or thought. The price was attractive, and the fuel economy more so (since I was looking at Hybrid). But that interior....ugh

Also the touch panel interface looked very basic comparatively.

 

[ferdyc]

I did test drive the Santa Fe Calligraphy before I test drive GV70. The difference is the look and the luxury feel when I sit inside GV70. I was comparing with GV70 2.5, was never considering 3.5, I don't think I need bigger engine and want a better fuel economy.

The interior of Santa Fe was good, but GV70 is better to me.

 

[GV70@75]

300hp is substantial. Don’t under estimate it. Regardless buy what you like. Buy brand new with less features but get what you like. Nothing wrong with any of the GV70’s. It’s a head turner.

 

[Amtip]

It's not a Calligraphy, but I'm in a Santa Fe loaner right now, there are a few missing features that bother me, but other than that, overall, it doesn't even come remotely close to how much I love my 3.5 Prestige. My dad asked after I had it for a few days if I'd rather have that and save $30k and I just laughed at him. No contest for me.

 

[JB808]

Thank You for the responses.
As others have said, it's not a fair to compare a Santa Fe to the GV70. But, I am anyways.
I think I have decided to pursue a GV70 2.5T. So far I have only test driven the 3.5, so I will want to test drive the 2.5.
I wish the steering wheel was the same as the 3.5, but I think I can get over it.
I wonder why the engine in the GV70 gets 18 HP more with apparently the same engine. Just tuning for use with premium gas?
But, why not do it in the Santa Fe as well?

 

[Amtip]

Thank You for the responses.
As others have said, it's not a fair to compare a Santa Fe to the GV70. But, I am anyways.
I think I have decided to pursue a GV70 2.5T. So far I have only test driven the 3.5, so I will want to test drive the 2.5.
I wish the steering wheel was the same as the 3.5, but I think I can get over it.
I wonder why the engine in the GV70 gets 18 HP more with apparently the same engine. Just tuning for use with premium gas?
But, why not do it in the Santa Fe as well?

It may be the same engine but it's an entirely different drivetrain beyond that.

People don't buy a Sante Fe for horsepower, I'd bet that 90% of Santa Fe owners don't know the numbers, or just don't care. Besides, what's 18 more horsepower in a FWD biased platform? That's just more wheelspin in rough conditions which is what the Santa Fe is more intended for.

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[dhuhtala]

It may be the same engine but it's an entirely different drivetrain beyond that.

People don't buy a Sante Fe for horsepower, I'd bet that 90% of Santa Fe owners don't know the numbers, or just don't care. Besides, what's 18 more horsepower in a FWD biased platform? That's just more wheelspin in rough conditions which is what the Santa Fe is more intended for.

And the 2.5T Prestige does have the same steering wheel as the 3.5T.

 

[JB808]

And the 2.5T Prestige does have the same steering wheel as the 3.5T.

Thank You for pointing that out. I do now see on the genesis website in the pictures when I "build" the prestige.
It also looks like the exhaust tips are round like the 3.5. Is that true also?

 

[resdoggie]

Yes, round exhaust tips too.

 

[Amtip]

Thank You for pointing that out. I do now see on the genesis website in the pictures when I "build" the prestige.
It also looks like the exhaust tips are round like the 3.5. Is that true also?

The sport models get the round tips, regardess of displacement.

 

[JB808]

The sport models get the round tips, regardess of displacement.

Thanks. That's good to know. I can't seem to find on the Genesis website which features are unique to the 3.5

 

[Halo777]

The sport models get the round tips, regardless of displacement.

i actually like the look of the oval / D-shaped pipes over the round pipes

 

[dhuhtala]

Thank You for pointing that out. I do now see on the genesis website in the pictures when I "build" the prestige.
It also looks like the exhaust tips are round like the 3.5. Is that true also?

Yup, and the larger ports in front of the wheels on the front as well as black spoiler on front and dark chrome all around...exactly the same as the 3.5T in all ways except the engine.

 

[JB808]

I just found out that the HUD is only available with the 3.5.
Probably not a deal breaker, but I would like it I think

 

[dhuhtala]

Unless you buy one from Canada...not sure if that's an option! All the 2.5T models (except the base) come with the HUD here.

 

[Amtip]

I just found out that the HUD is only available with the 3.5.
Probably not a deal breaker, but I would like it I think

The HUD is one of the features I miss most on my loaner. I've gotten acclimated to digital speedometers and it's much nicer to have it in the HUD so I can use the middle section of my gauge cluster for other information. You also get other nice info on the HUD including seeing media changes including album art which is a great feature.