Hyundai Santa Fe
Ratings
4 stars
Summary
Recommended. It's good to drive, it looks good and it's now available with the option of seven seats - but can the new Santa Fe justify its pricetag?
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.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
4 star
Good looks have clearly been inspired by some posher rivals, most notably the Lexus RX300.
Handling
3 star
The low-geared steering lacks feel, but grip levels are impressively high and behaviour is composed. Four wheel drive provides plenty of grip on slippery roads.
Comfort
3 star
Good ride quality helps to absorb bumps and the well-designed seats give excellent support. Motorway refinement is knocked by excessive wind noise.
Quality & Reliability
4 star
Massively improved over the previous model, the Santa Fe now has the quality to take on any mid sized SUV rival. Unconvincing fake plastic trim in the cabin is the only real complaint.
Performance
3 star
The 2.2 litre diesel engine is loud when worked hard but gives reasonable performance. The V6 petrol sounds nicer and goes harder - but will be prohibitively thirsty for most.
Roominess
4 star
The Santa Fe rivals people-carriers for utility thanks to lots of space, good stowage accomodation and the option of the easy-to-use third row of seats.
Running Costs
4 star
Servicing costs are very competitive, although 10,000 mile intervals are short compared to some rivals. The diesel offers reasonable fuel economy but the petrol is terrible. Depreciation should be well contained.
Value for money
4 star
The Santa Fe looks expensive compared to rivals like the Kia Sorento and Ssangyong Kyron, but seven-seat practicality and excellent standard equipment should be enough to persuade many of its charms.
