We get behind the wheel of the acclaimed Hyundai Santa Fe – a large seven-seat SUV with serious kerb appeal…
It’s no wonder the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe has already won so many trophies, including the Large Crossover of the Year category title at the prestigious UK Car of the Year Awards.
Boldly-styled, comfortable and remarkably practical, it’s even likely to tempt buyers away from large family SUVs offered by premium brands including Land Rover, Audi and BMW.
Starting at £47,200 and offered as a petrol/electric hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, it’s available with a six or seven-seat layout, and other established rivals include the Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento and Peugeot 5008.
The Santa Fe’s boxy design and unique H-pattern front light signature are like nothing else on the road. Yes, the long rear overhang and low-mounted taillights are divisive, but on the whole, it boasts serious road presence.
Measuring 4,830mm (length), 1,900mm (width) and 1,770mm (height), it’s a monster multi-seat sports utility vehicle.
And, of course, those dimensions translate into impressive interior space. Not only are there three rows of seats, but with all seven seats up – the Hybrid has a 628-litre boot capacity and the PHEV gets 621 litres. That rises to 711 and 704 litres respectively with the rearmost seats folded, and up to 1,949 litres (1,942 litres) with all the back seats folded down.
Most importantly of all – the Hyundai Santa Fe is a genuine seven-seater. I know, because I loaded it up with six adults (a spare seat in the middle row) and set off for the seaside!
The Santa Fe’s layout is flexible, so you can slide the rear rows backwards or forwards to prioritise leg room or luggage space as necessary, and there’s still plenty of space and elbow room, while access to the rear seats is better than many rivals.
At the heart of both the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models is a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 158bhp and an electric motor (a 58bhp unit in the hybrid, 90bhp in the PHEV).
The Hybrid is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the Plug-in Hybrid only comes with the latter.
The Plug-in Hybrid’s 0-62mph time is fastest at 9.3 seconds, the Hybrid 2WD is slightly slower at 9.6 seconds, and the Hybrid 4WD comes in at 9.8 seconds.
The Hybrid’s regenerative braking system charges the small 1.49kWh battery as you slow the car, so there’s no need to plug in.
The Plug-in Hybrid gets a 13.8kWh battery, which gives a claimed electric-only range of 34 miles. For maximum efficiency once that’s depleted, you’ll need to plug in to charge the battery, otherwise it works much like the Hybrid.
My test car was the Hybrid model with AWD in range-topping Calligraphy trim (there’s also Premium and Ultimate).
Inside, the Hyundai Santa Fe has a classy look and feel, while the curved dashboard blends a 12.3-inch digital driver display and central infotainment screen into one elegant panel. There’s a climate control panel below that combines rotary controls and buttons with a digital screen.
Practical touches include wireless smartphone charging for two devices in the centre console, storage space underneath, a decent glovebox, door bins and various other cubbyholes.
It’s green too, with materials such as recycled plastic and eco-friendly leatherette used.
If you like a commanding driving position, then the Santa Fe is for you. Visibility is good, aided by large windows and slim A-pillars. If you need extra help, then a digital rear-view mirror is available, along with surround-view and reversing cameras, plus various sensors.
There’s also a clever Blind Spot View Monitor. When you indicate, a live video of the side of the car appears on your digital driver’s display, so that you can see if there’s a cyclist or any other hazard that you might have missed in the side mirrors.
Naturally, it also boasts a full suite of safety and driver assistance features.
On the road, the Hyundai Santa Fe is easy to drive, despite its size. In fact, the only time you’re aware of it is when performing tight manoeuvres at low speed and driving on narrow country lanes.
It may not be the swiftest SUV on paper, but for a substantial car, it’s more than fast enough.
For the most part it’s refined too, with minimal road and wind noise. However, the relatively small 1.6-litre engine becomes more vocal under harsh acceleration.
The Santa Fe’s suspension irons out the worst of the lumps and bumps, though the ride is a little wallowy on more challenging roads with some body lean, but overall, it feels planted.
All in all, it’s surprisingly agile for its size, there’s plenty of grip in the corners, while the steering is light and accurate.
The full hybrid system works well, with smooth transitions between low-speed electric running and the point where the engine kicks in, and vice versa. It will also coast in EV mode for short periods.
Then we come to economy. I got close to my test car’s official fuel economy of 38.7mpg, but that is disappointing for a full hybrid. On balance, I can’t help wondering whether a larger, more relaxed, engine might work better.
For the record, the two-wheel-drive Hybrid’s CO2 emissions are 155g/km (165g/km for the all-wheel-drive).
There are three drive modes (Eco, Sport and customisable My Drive) all accessible via a dial on the centre console, each modifying steering, acceleration, and shift points for a tailored driving experience.
Sport is fine for short, fun bursts on twisty roads or when overtaking, and the enhanced throttle sensitivity and quicker gearshifts are noticeable, but Eco is best for longer journeys where efficiency is the priority.
Additionally, the Santa Fe’s Terrain Modes (Snow, Sand and Mud) are there for those odd days when extreme weather strikes or you end up in a boggy car park.
Useful though these modes are, the Santa Fe is not a serious off-roader like a Land Rover Discovery, for instance, but it shouldn’t embarrass you in a muddy festival field either.
Sadly, the Santa Fe’s disappointing towing capabilities will put off some buyers who in the past have chosen the now extinct previous-generation diesel Santa Fe to lug around heavy caravans, horseboxes and trailers. Now, no matter which hybrid model you opt for, it can only tow 1,010kg (braked).
Thankfully, one thing that hasn’t changed is Hyundai’s generous five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.
Ultimately, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid may not top its class for driver engagement or economy, nor can it compete with some rivals when it comes to serious off-road and towing credentials, but it is a very cool all-round package at a great price.
Verdict: Boasting serious road presence, the mighty Hyundai Santa Fe is a genuine seven-seater SUV. Competitively-priced, comfortable and super-practical, it’s a fantastic family cruiser with a wow factor.
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