Hyundai Santa Fe

	The Hyundai has the best-designed seating layout, plus the unique selling point of offering space for seven

The original Santa Fe, launched in 2001, was an acquired taste. However, the new car has much more of a sense of style – although you can still spot one or two characteristic Hyundai hallmarks that have been carried over.

To our eyes, it owes a debt of gratitude to the Toyota RAV4, but the smooth and sophisticated lines mean the new Santa Fe is a very desirable machine. In fact, the newcomer is so well sculpted that it’s easy to ignore how big it is. While Honda has shrunk the CR-V slightly, Hyundai has made the second-generation Santa Fe so much bigger it nearly belongs in the class above.

It’s the longest car here by 145mm, and has the highest roof. Better still, Hyundai has learned some lessons about packaging, and given the Santa Fe the biggest cabin by miles.

Drop all the seats and the resulting 2,213-litre load area is the largest here by nearly 400 litres. Even with the middle row in place, the boot has the most floor space and raising the optional rear seats is effortless. In fact, that’s true of all the chairs; each has a simple one-handle operation. While access to the rear row can only be gained from the passenger’s side, the Hyundai has the best-designed seating layout, plus the unique selling point of offering space for seven. This model really is an alternative to compact MPVs such as the Vauxhall Zafira.

As with models in that class, the rearmost seats are best suited to children, but elsewhere adults have room to stretch out and enjoy the fine cabin design. The wood trim and grey leather/red piping in our test car isn’t the most tasteful combination, yet we like the subtle blue instrument lighting, good stowage solutions and user-friendly controls.

What’s more, while the plastics are less tactile than those in the Land Rover, everything feels just as well put together. However, it’s a shame the electric driver’s seat isn’t more supportive and can’t be adjusted lower. Still, we have few complaints about the Hyundai’s 2.2-litre Variable Turbine Geo­metry engine. One gripe is the noise at cold start – and that’s only notable as the common-rail unit is so refined and smooth when warm.

It’s better insulated than the Honda diesel, and although it’s not as punchy, with 335Nm of torque at 1,800rpm, the unit doesn’t struggle, even if the Santa Fe is carrying its huge maximum payload of 687kg (over 130kg more than the Freelander’s).

The trouble is, it’s easy to spot where Hyundai has cut corners – and the gearbox is a case in point. It offers only five ratios when rivals have six, while first and second gears are too short, and the shift is a touch notchy. Refinement is superb, though. Our 66dB reading at 70mph means the Santa Fe is as quiet as an executive saloon. The ride also impresses. On smooth roads the Hyundai is very relaxing to drive thanks to its soft suspension. However, rough tarmac reveals some deficiencies. The Korean SUV lacks rigidity, so there’s more body shake, taking the edge off comfort.

Meanwhile, the cushioned suspension means it rolls in bends and feels ponderous compared to the Honda. At least it remains well controlled and stable, and with 203mm of ground clearance, copes well off-road. This well equipped CDX+ has a roof-mounted DVD system, but Hyun­dai doesn’t offer xenon lights, parking sensors or a sunroof. Will these oversights spoil the Santa Fe’s chances?