Auto Trader Ten Point Test: Hyundai Santa Fe

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 78%

The Santa Fe was the car to begin Hyundai's shift from a budget brand into a quality car maker. It instantly became a hit with buyers, thanks to Hyundai's unique five year warranty and the option of a seven seat version.

But with plenty of quality rivals in the mid-sized SUV sector, the Santa Fe needs to have good looks and competent driving manners. We took to the road to find out.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling |Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor | Rivals

1. Looks

The second generation Santa Fe is a massive departure from the bulbous original. It could pass for a Toyota or Honda from the front, while the rear remains true to its heritage with its trademark off-centre boot handle (which still looks a little odd). It's longer and wider than the original, which gives it more road presence and the steeply-raked windscreen gives the Santa Fe a more car than van-like appearance. All models get alloy wheels – 17 inchers on the entry level GSI and 18s on the CDX and CDX+ models.

8/10

2. Looks inside

Like the outside, the cabin has been styled to take on the market leaders, so the fit and finish is very good. Hyundai, like several other Asian car makers, still has a tendency to place too many buttons in the centre console, but everything is well labelled and easy to see. There's some 'wood effect' trim, but although totally unconvincing, is far from offensive. The CDX, along with the CDX+ we tested come with pleasant leather seats – heated and perforated to prevent sweaty occupants.

8/10

3. Practicality

The Hyundai Santa Fe might be a proper SUV, but its interior space is on par with many similarly-sized MPVs. And it can compete in terms of flexibility when the £1,100 seven seat option is specified. The third row of seats fold flat into the floor, while the second row almost folds flat – creating up to 2,213 litres of space. There's the usual array of storage spaces in the cabin, including a huge box between the front seats with a split-level lid covering a coin tray, two sunglasses holders in the roof and a cubbyhole on top of the dash.

9/10

4. Ride and Handling

The Santa Fe wafts and rolls along rather than scythes its way through bends, but that means a comfortable ride. The steering is slow to react and we found it needed more 'lock' than expected when making turns. For the first time, the Santa Fe has an advanced four-wheel drive system which runs in rear wheel drive until grip is lost when it delivers power to the wheels with most traction.

6/10

5. Performance

The 2.2-litre diesel engine fitted to our test car was a good, refined performer with enough pulling power for most motorists. Its 148bhp and 247lb/ft of pulling power propels the SUV to 62mph in 11.6 or 12.9 seconds depending on whether the manual or automatic gearbox is chosen. The 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine seems lethargic by comparison, although it is still capable of recording an 11.7 second 0-62mph dash.

7/10

6. Running Costs

The first five years of Hyundai ownership should prove painless with the company's unique five year warranty. And the warranty helps with used values too. The 2.7 V6 petrol engine is to be avoided unless you have deep pockets – it will sup a gallon of fuel every 26.6 miles, while the 2.2 diesel will consume only 38.7 or 34.9 gallons for the manual and auto respectively. Road tax is costly too, with emissions between 193 and 252g/km of CO2 placing the range in Band F and G. Insurance group 13 for all models is competitive for this kind of vehicle.

8/10

7. Reliability

Hyundai took a gamble introducing its five year warranty – if there were too many breakdowns, it would have cost the company dear. So standing by its promise, they've shown the world its products are well built. It felt as though it was built with care, even if some of the materials used seemed a little low rent.

8/10

8. Safety

The Santa Fe has a total of six airbags in the five seat version, with an additional two in the seven seaters, helping it to score four out of five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test programme. Its part time four-wheel drive system is supplemented by ESP, ABS and electronic brakeforce distribution and larger brake discs.

7/10

9. Equipment

Even the most basic models in the Santa Fe range feature a good level of equipment. The entry-level GSI gets 17-inch alloys, fog lights, roof rails, remote central locking, a full sized spare wheel, air-con, electric windows and a CD player. The CDX adds leather seats, dual zone climate control (with separate controls for the third row of seats, if fitted), heated front seats, an upgraded seven-speaker stereo, cruise control, larger 18-inch alloys and an auto-dimming rear view mirror with integrated compass. Safetywise it adds ESP and active head restraints.

The range-topping CDX+ receives a premium hi-fi package with a roof-mounted DVD player and screen for the rear passengers and ten speakers from Infinity. It also receives SmartNav satellite navigation, rain-sensing wipers, an electric passenger seat and a cool box between the front seats. This model is excellent value, costing just £800 more than the CDX.

10/10

10. X-Factor

It's among the cheapest ways to get into a seven seat SUV, but never feels like it's built to a price. Solid, good looking and comfortable, the Santa Fe offers some serious opposition to some of the off-road establishment - and it's the only one to get a five year warranty.

7/10

Rivals

You might also want to consider:

SsangYong Rexton

Nissan X-Trail

Mitsubishi Shogun

Jeep Compass

Toyota RAV4

Auto Trader Links

Read more car reviews

Compare the best prices on a new Hyundai Santa Fe with Auto Trader's New Car Search

See what owners have to say about their Hyundai Santa Fe