rbc123

I ask because I would like a real life comparison between the two.
At the moment I live in FL. Keys and it is a good 2.5 hours to Miami for car shopping.
So please pass on your thoughts. The Santa Fe is at least $ 10K cheaper, and seems to be a little smaller with better gas mileage. Thats all I really know.
thanks
RBC

chazman6

Traded my 2010 Sante Fe Limited on a 2013 RX350 several months ago for a number of reasons. It had nice comfortable ride and averaged 24mpg around town and great looker in the Black Forest Green.
However, I did not like the way the Sante shifted --- noticeable rough and delayed shifts between certain gears. Of course, the computer gave it a Normal Clearance, and I learned to live with it for 36K.
However, the Wife had been bugging me since 2002 about the RX, and since I had a few extra $$ laying around, I sprung for the 350.

BAD Move. Should have saved the 20k. The RX has its own problems, including sporadic shifting and
groaning sounds until the engine heats up. ( even @ 90 degree weather ) The Lexus Dealer is no better at problem solving than the Hyundai Guy. Save yourself the money and put it in the gas fund.

sleepysurf

Just bought a 2014 Santa Fe Sport (2.4L 4-cyl, Premium package) for my wife. Impressive pep and handling for just 4-cyl. As expected, has a bit more road and wind noise than my '10 RX450h, and the speakers with the Premium package are a bit tinny. The blind spot detection system is superb (I don't have that on my RX450h), and, IMHO, the fit/finish/comfort are not far behind Lexus. Gas mileage only so-so, but given the overall value pricing, plus great warranty, it was a no-brainer purchase. Time will tell regarding overall reliability.

kmar

I bought a new 2008 Santa Fe LTD and after six years traded it in for a new 2015 RX 350. The RX is definitely a much nicer vehicle than the Santa Fe. Don't get me wrong, the SF was a nice vehicle and at the time a good buy for the money. What I didn't like about it was the noisy suspension, and for the last few years the HVAC system would lock up and not respond to changes in settings unless the vehicle was turned off and back on. With the RX, a much smoother, quieter ride, much better stereo system, bluetooth for the phone (which the SF did not have) and overall a much higher level of sophistication and luxury ... but then that should be expected with the higher cost of the RX.