BELIEVE IN SANTA (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The fifth generation Hyundai Santa Fe: now with that 'want one' feeling fitted as standard. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

Hyundai has radically reimagined its largest SUV, the Santa Fe. The looks are divisive but you can't argue with the improvements in space and practicality. And if you're having second thoughts about that family EV, you'll appreciate the frugal Hybrid engines. It's a decent step forward.

Backgroundword count: 144

How does a car maker progress in such a short time from design that's mundanely derivative to a continual stream of stylistically cutting-edge models? That's exactly what Hyundai has done. You might not like everything the brand does these days, but every new model it makes demands a second look, including this one, the fifth generation Santa Fe family SUV. In its lifetime over nearly a quarter of a century, the Santa Fe model line has progressed from budget brand 'Qashqai'-class SUV to something altogether far bigger and grander, equipped in most generations with seven seats. This latest 'MX5'-series version has higher aspirations still, up towards the premium brands, substituting their badge equity for an arresting boxy, futuristic look that will certainly turn heads on the school run. But is there substance to match the style being offered here? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 403

If you're expecting a big family SUV that looks like this to handle like a bus, then you might be pleasantly surprised by this Santa Fe. Yes of course you'd be unwise to start throwing the thing about - the light steering doesn't encourage that anyway; nor does the level of body roll you'll experience when pressing on through tighter turns. But the steering weights up quite progressively, there's plenty of traction and the square shape and tall driving position make this Hyundai easier to place on narrow lanes and through city streets than you'd think it would be with over 2.2-metres of body width between the mirrors. Unlike with the Sorento, there a 2WD option for the core powertrain most customers will choose, the 215PS self-charging HEV Hybrid. This base variant makes 0-62mph in 9.6s (0.2s quicker than the 4WD version) en route to the 112mph top speed that all Santa Fes share. In HEV form, the car always tries to set off just using its electric motor, but because that motor is energised by a battery just 1.49kW in size (and has to tug along 1.9-tonnes of SUV), silent running of that sort lasts hardly any time at all. Obviously, the PHEV version serves you much better in that regard - though nothing like as well as its rivals because, unlike with most more recently-introduced Plug-in Hybrid competitors, Hyundai (rather disappointingly) hasn't taken the opportunity to increase the size of the drive system's battery. Not many PHEVs these days (except this model's near identically-engineered Sorento cousin) still retain a battery just 13.8kWh in size: and that really hurts this Hyundai when it comes to EV range - AER-rated at just 33.6 miles. Which is about half what you'd get from the VW Group models in this segment (though admittedly, they can't be had with seven seats). The PHEV comes with mandatory 4WD and gets a power hike over the Hybrid (to 253PS) to compensate for its extra weight, though because the 265Nm torque figure remains the same as the HEV, there's no real performance benefit - rest to 62mph takes 9.3s. With both powertrains, brake regen paddles are provided behind the steering wheel, though the stronger settings aren't that strong. And there's a fascia button to switch between EV and HEV drive for when the battery will stand it (though no option to save EV range until later in your trip).

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