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We tow our pageant provence with an '06 2lt santa fe. I have to say I feel it does a very good job. Caravan follows behind like a little puppy dog!!! Our last tow car was a volkswagon passat and we couldn't wait to change it.  We put a lot of thought into a new tow car and it came down to the santa fe or the new grand vitara.The santa fe feels smooth and solid on motorways and on hills. We are lucky to have a good dealer right on our doorstep. In fact oh's brother liked it so much he bought one and my cousin also bought one to tow his compass 634 twin axle (although his has a bigger engine size)

Hi

I haven't read all the posts but a Santa Fe was entered for the Caravan Club Tow Car of The Year.

Full report in this months magazine attachment.

tyreman

here

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/towcar/cars-tested.html

I have had a hire Santa fe this week, and have to say this is by far the WORST car i have ever driven!!

Uncomfortable, slugish, unresponsive .... the list could go on!

I spend most of the day in the car, but after 400 miles yesterday, i had such bad back ache i was unable to sleep last night!!

So if your thinking of getting one. try one for a week or two first, including long journeys!

We have a 2.0 diesel auto, pulls our Bailey Pageant no problems, happier at 60 than 50 feels smoother. We get about 25mpg with the van on the back, 35 solo on a long run. I find it nice and comfy :) Each to their own I guess! :)

We have just traded (1 week ago) in our 04 diesel x trail for a new 08 2.2 diesel santa fe. Have to say that the ride is slightly firmer than the x trail but is a better ride round corners etc., yet to try it towing, but happy so far.

A number of reasons why we chose the santa fe: good towing weight without going into top bracket of co2 emissions, dealership close by, 5 year warranty, 7 seater with the two rear seats being a reasonable size and we got a good deal. 

Spent a couple of months looking into chosing the right car, searching car magazines and internet etc. If you try hard enough you will find bad points on most cars but like others have said at the end of the day its down to personal choice. Didn't try the kia as local dealership is not good (IMO).

All I would say is take your time and when going for test drive see if the dealer will let you have it for 24 hrs rather than the normal 20 minutes driving round a local circuit.

looked at the terracan but write ups in most, if not all, of the magazines and on line were poor plus from memory they are in the top band for CO2 emissions which combined put us off.

Paul + Pam

The Santa Fe; well, I couldn't sit up in it (I am 6' 4") so we didn't even take it beyond the forecourt.

I'm 6' 4" and I have head room, I take it you lowered the seat? The roof may be lower than say the discovery but I certainly have head room with the seat down as low as it goes.

Anyhow I might be having to change mine as it was hit by a 'white van man' in a hurry to get home last week, hopefully it will be repaired.

Im not sure of the kerb weight, I looked in the manual and it just tells you to look at the VIN plate and do the maths. Best thing is go onto autotrader.co.uk do a search for the vehicle you are interested in and then look for the link to technical data below the photograph (not all adverts have this thought). That has dimentions fuel economy and tax band info, very useful.

I think the max towing weight for the one I have is 1800.

Hope that helps.