The Hyundai Santa Fe is a full-size SUV, with the option of seven seats and standard four-wheel drive. The current model was first launched in 2012, but received a facelift in 2015, improving its safety and sharpening up its already handsome design.

Going up against models like the Volkswagen Touareg, Nissan X-Trail and Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Santa Fe offers a more affordable recipe in a sector crowded with luxury offerings. In fact, its biggest rival may be the Kia Sorento, which shares its underpinnings with the big Hyundai.

Performance

While a petrol and lower-powered diesel are available elsewhere, in the UK every Sorento has a 2.2-litre diesel engine with 197bhp and four-wheel drive. You do, however, have the option of a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox, altering the 0-62mph acceleration run from 9 seconds to 9.6 seconds respectively, but keeping an identical 126mph top speed.

For the facelift the engine has been retuned slightly, but mainly for emissions rather than performance. It feels perfectly adequate, although the long initial throttle travel and response of the automatic in ‘Eco’ or ‘Normal’ driving modes can make it feel a bit sluggish until you give it some welly. The flipside of this is smooth acceleration at low speeds, around town or when manoeuvring. Select ‘Sport’ mode and the throttle is sharper, but the gearbox will also hold onto lower ratios unless you change them manually.

While it has plenty of power, the Santa Fe’s 2.2-litre is a little less refined than the 2.0-litre diesel found in the Tucson, and with that engine offering up to 182bhp it’s a shame Hyundai hasn’t made it available in its biggest SUV.

Ride and Handling

While handling might not be its forte, body roll is well supressed and the Santa Fe copes with British roads well

Unless you are buying a sports SUV like a Porsche Cayenne, you will most likely expect your SUV to waft along, soaking up bumps and cosseting you from the outside world, and this is exactly what the Santa Fe does best. It is very comfortable and has light steering at low speeds, making light work of town driving. Speed up and it’s a relaxing motorway cruiser, which feels stable and refined. While handling might not be its forte, body roll is well supressed and the Santa Fe copes with British roads well, even if it won’t encourage you to drive quickly, instead rewarding a more relaxed approach. But, that’s no bad thing, and if the weather (or terrain) turns ugly, four-wheel drive will send some power to the rear wheels to allow you to keep going.

Interior and Equipment

Since its launch in 2001, Hyundai has sold upwards of 48,000 Santa Fe’s in the UK.

Hyundai feels like it is improving at such a rate, that even the Santa Fe’s interior from 2012 is starting to show its age compared with its latest models, and the newer Kia Sorento. It’s by no means offensive, but some the plastics are a bit hard and shiny, while controls like the button for the heated steering wheel (on the steering column) and the fuel filler release (behind the driver’s door grab) are awkwardly located. Still, the infotainment system is a real highlight, with a clear screen and graphics, along with a very responsive reaction to your inputs. The 2015 facelift also boosted safety, adding autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning and lane assist technology. The Santa Fe can also alert you to traffic passing behind you when reversing out of a parking spot. The seats are as comfortable as you’d expect in a big SUV, with a huge range of adjustment so you can find that ‘king of the road’ driving position. The middle row of seats are similarly commodious and able to slide and recline for improved long-distance comfort. There’s the option of a third row of seats, capable of accommodating two children or smaller adults. They are easy to stow and pull out of the boot floor, but access can be a bit tricky if you aren’t very nimble. Boot space is 585 litres in the five-seater, although this drops to 516 litres if you do choose the third row option.

Cost

In other ways, the Santa Fe should prove cheaper to run, with a five-year or 100,000 mile warranty

While the sole diesel engine offers up decent performance, its eco credentials are a little off the pace. With claimed economy of 46.3mpg in the manual and 42.2mpg for the automatic, we found real-world economy in the auto to be in the mid-30s. Emissions range between 161g/km of CO2 and 177g/km. As a comparison, the seven-seat Discovery Sport 180 with four-wheel drive can officially return 53mpg and emits 139g/km of CO2. In other ways, the Santa Fe should prove cheaper to run, with a five-year or 100,000 mile warranty. This should give you the peace of mind that you shouldn’t have to fork out for repairs, and Hyundai servicing is also affordable. The Santa Fe is also in quite a low insurance group for a large, powerful SUV.

Our Verdict

The Santa Fe is a very sharply dressed, laid back SUV, with impressive performance and versatility. Some of its interior trim and its slightly high running costs mean it’s a little behind the latest rivals in some respects, but those cars tend to be more expensive too. Overall the Hyundai is a highly likeable family car, which is well-equipped, safe and has the option of seven seats.