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Large family crossovers are valued for their roomy interior and spacious trunks. You will find many used SUVs of this type on the Indy Auto Man Indianapolis car lot. But today, we consider representatives of the Korean and Japanese auto industries: Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Nissan Murano.
Murano can be called a long-liver of the US market, and Santa Fe, with its fiery design, is the complete opposite. Which vehicle will be the best choice?
2023 Nissan Murano | 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe | |
Size | 193″ L x 75″ W x 68″ H | 188″ L x 75″ W x 66″ H |
Luggage space | 31.1 to 32.1 ft³, 65 to 67 ft³ with seat area | 36.4 ft³, 72.1 ft³ with seat area |
Engine | 3.5L V6 | 2.5L I4 |
Horsepower | 260 hp | 191 hp |
Torque | 240 lb-ft | 181 lb-ft |
MPG | 20 city/28 hwy | 25 city/28 hwy |
Nissan Murano’s third generation appeared in 2014. Nevertheless, the Japanese SUV looks modern and attractive. V-shaped drawing of the front end, muscular body contours, striped taillights – this design will not soon become obsolete.
The appearance of the Hyundai Santa Fe is fundamentally different from the calm forms of the Murano. The fourth-generation Santa Fe is distinguished by three-tier optics: daytime running lights on top; a block of low and high-beam headlights at the bottom, direction indicators a little lower; and at the very bottom, there are fog lights. It looks cool, but this optics arrangement increases the risk of catching a stone somewhere on the track. In winter, you will have to get out of the car more often and wipe them from slush because there are no wipers.
The Murano developers took the principles of shaping the internal space from the premium Infiniti. There is enough room above the head and around the shoulders. The front panel is finished with high-quality plastic, and the central tunnel is aluminum. However, gloss surfaces used in interior design quickly get dirty and collect fingerprints. The wide seats, covered with leather, are at the top level. ZeroGravity technology , invented by NASA, gives an almost perfect fit and holds tight in corners.
The dashboard is arrow-shaped, and the multimedia system is built into the upper part of the center console. This approach will appeal to those who appreciate classic design. And the functionality of the stuffing does not differ from those solutions offered by competitors. The software contacts the phone, navigation shows the way and warns about cameras, and the infotainment system is of good quality.
The Hyundai Santa Fe’s interior looks innovative compared to the Murano’s. The front panel has a tricky form and attracts attention. An 8-inch monitor is installed on top. It displays a picture of the all-around viewing system and other functionality.
The seats, compared to those in Murano, are dense, and lateral support is more pronounced. Koreans have gone the way of European brands. Nevertheless, people of any complexion can get settled in them without problems.
Under the hood of the Nissan Murano runs the familiar 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 with 249 hp paired with a CVT. The technical passport of the crossover lists acceleration to sixty in just 8 seconds. At the same time, even if you press the gas to the floor, the car remains quiet. The Japanese did not save on soundproofing.
On the road, Murano resembles a large ship. The energy intensity of the suspension is excellent. The chassis swallows all the bumps on the surface. The steering wheel feels a little empty in the zero zones, but you quickly get used to it. When maneuvering around Indianapolis, the car behaves perfectly well.
The Hyundai Santa Fe, on the contrary, is configured in a European way. It shudders more sharply at the joints and more carefully collects travel trifles. And with active movement, behaves almost like a sedan. The most powerful motor in the lineup is a 3.5-liter gasoline engine with a return of 249 hp and an 8-speed automatic.
The Santa Fe crossover stands firmly on the turning arc and gives good control of the steering wheel. It seems dense but up to a certain limit. Yet it is a heavy vehicle with a high center of gravity. And if you get carried away, the Santa Fe begins to turn on the stabilization system too often, and in the middle pits, it breaks through the suspension.
Visit Indy Auto Man, Indianapolis, to compare used Nissan and Hyundai SUVs side to side. Check our inventory and schedule your test drive right now!