Review
This Santa Fe is a very different prospect to the car it replaces, having grown considerably in both size and price. Hyundai goes so far as to claim that it's now competing in the next segment up - and the optional seven seat practicality certainly wins it the right for consideration against more prestigious rivals.
Lexus-like design isn't particularly original, but the Santa Fe looks good and projects a solid, classy air. Inside the transformation over the old model is even more striking, with a cabin trimmed with quality materials and a well designed dashboard. There's also an integrated stereo in place of the previous aftermarket item. Our only real complaint is with the terrible plastic-wood trim.
It's good on the road, too - thanks to a driving position that's comfortable over longer journeys and decent rear seat space. The optional seven seat layout (which also includes self-levelling rear suspension) is likely to be popular among those with young families, combining SUV ruggedness with near-MPV practicality. The third row works well, collapsing easily into the boot floor and offering an impressive amount of space (although young kids will have difficulty seeing out of the high windows.) Bootspace is reasonable with the rearmost seats collapsed, but tight with them upright.
Two engines are available - a 2.2 litre CRDT turbodiesel (which will account for the vast majority of sales) and a 2.7 litre V6 petrol. The diesel is quite loud by modern standards, but gives decent performance and can be specified with a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic gearbox which suits it well. The petrol version is more rapid but very thirsty, and is only available with a less advanced four-speed autobox. Ride and handling are impressively composed, with refinement only marred by excessive wind noise from the top of the doors and windscreen at motorway cruising speeds.
It might lack the badge appeal of its upmarket rivals - but in terms of design and dynamics, the Santa Fe runs them impressively close.