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 reports

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: 145

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 more recent 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.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 344

It might be all change from a design point of view but what lies beneath the bonnet here is resolutely familiar. There's no EV powertrain; just a couple of 1.6-litre Smartstream T-GDi Hybrid engines, one of them a Plug-in. Also carried over from the previous model is the mandatory 6-speed auto gearbox. The self-charging HEV Hybrid with 215PS is offered with either 2WD or 4WD options and makes 62mph in just under 10s en route to 112mph, which is not bad given the bluff shape and the fact that the four cylinder unit is required to move over 2.2-tonnes of Korean real estate. The alternative Plug-in Hybrid variant is 4WD-only and performs very similarly, though has 253PS. Where fitted, the 4WD system is Hyundai's 'HTRAC' set-up, which apportions torque in varying quantities between the axles depending on the traction available, at the same time as braking individual wheels in search of better grip. The 4WD system incorporates three bespoke 'Terrain' drive modes which you select from a provided dial - 'Snow', 'Mud' and 'Sand'. But there's not really enough ride height to venture anywhere too gnarly, so the 'Terrain' side of the drive mode dial will probably remain largely unused. More everyday useful settings come when a push of the same dial clicks you in to three separate tarmac 'Drive' modes that alter steering feel, throttle response and gear change timings. Most of the time, you'll leave the car in the 'Smart' setting, basically an auto mode that sorts everything out for you. There's also an 'Eco' mode. And a 'Sport' setting for when you want to push on, though you won't want to do that terribly often in this kind of high-sided SUV. Obviously an SUV of this size and weight isn't going to take kindly to being thrown around, but it's certainly in its element on the motorway - where all kinds of driver assist features come into play. These include a 'Smart Cruise Control 2' system that can maintain a set speed while providing steering assistance on curved sections of highway.

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