luk4p

am upgrading my Hyundai Accent and torn between new Hyundai Santa Fe 2015 Vs Used Acura MDX 2012.

Santa Fe 2015 with Premium (Not Ultimate) package is coming more or less price as MDX 2012 with Tech Package.

Here are the factors I am considering.

Santa Fe -

- New Car
- All new technology
- Good warranty from Hyundai

- Maintenance (Had issues with Accent. Not happy with Hyundai reliability)
- Fast Depreciation
- 3rd row seating not comfortable

Acura MDX

- Luxury Car, good interiors
- Reliable brand
- Solid Build
- Certified Warranty

- Used
- Mileage
- Heavy

Any comments or guidance from group members would be appreciated

pbm317

I know you asked about these two vehicles, but you could probably also get the brand new Honda Pilot in your price range as well no?

The prior gen MDX is a solid vehicle all around with minimal faults, but as you noted, it's fairly heavy and would be used, but should have a pretty strong reliability record. 3rd row and space behind it for luggage might be a bit tight, but that'll be true with anything in the segment.

That said, I think you'd find the Santa Fe (one of Hyundai's top vehicles) better in execution than the Accent.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The 2012 MDX is quite thirsty at the pump, plus it requires premium fuel.

luk4p

The features I am looking in Santa Fe premium pack if I want same in pilot then it would cross $35K which I really dont want.

The mpg on santa fe is 18/25 vs Accura 2012 - 16/21. Thats something to consider.

pbm317

Well it looks like you like luxury features, but want something newer and potentially more reliable, less depreciation.

The amount you pay more for the Pilot new over the comparably equipped Santa Fe could be more than offset in higher resale value when you go to sell it.

lishedlum

The 2012 MDX is quite thirsty at the pump, plus it requires premium fuel.

luk4p

Thank you everyone for your responses and time.

Yes Acura has low milage. My average running per year is 8000 miles.

The Acura's milage is 16/21 vs santa fe 18/25. Plus Premium. So this is going to cost me additional $400 per year if I go with MDX. Something to consider.

Thank you.

tex2670

It's not that far off from the 2016 model year, so the MDX will be 4 model years old in 8 weeks. I'm not sure what the Acura Certified Warranty is, or how many miles are "low miles" for the MDX, but I'd lean toward the new Hyundai, myself. BUT--if the Hyundai you are looking at is a Limited model, the captain's chairs in the middle row reduce the passenger capacity to 6, which is a pain if you are in any type of carpool.

And I can't imagine that the MDX 3rd row is that much more comfortable than the Santa Fe.

SW17LS

No question I would choose the Santa Fe.

luk4p

MDX I am looking for below 30k miles. There will be 1 year warrnty from dealer. They have 7 years 70000 miles warranty as to Hyundai's 10 years.

I was looking at Santa Fe GLS not limited. Also premium package not ultimate. There is clearly $4000 difference between premium and ultimate.

Yesterday I visited Hyundai and was taken aback when rep told me that leather in premium is diffent than in ultimate.

SW17LS

I would still buy the Santa Fe. Shouldn't surprise you the lower trim doesn't have leather as nice as the upper trim.

luk4p

Thanks

New car is always a new car.