Reviews of the Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is an eye-catching, practical SUV with plenty of space inside for up to seven people.

The Santa Fe comes with excellent levels of standard kit and is equipped with impressive hybrid technology.

Rivals to the Hyundai Santa Fe include the Skoda Kodiaq, Peugeot 5008, Kia Sorento and Nissan X-Trail and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Hyundai Santa Fe Review covers:

• Bold, distinctive exterior design with a large chrome grille frame
• Spacious, elegant interior with soft-touch materials throughout
• 547-litre boot, which expands to 1,625 litres with rear seats down
• Available in self-charging and plug-in hybrid variants, with a range of different outputs
• Two trim levels, including Premium and Ultimate

The Santa Fe is the largest SUV in Hyundai's range, offering seven seat-practicality and a luxurious feel. 

Its eye-catching exterior design was recently refreshed, with the new generation model featuring a larger hexagonal chrome grille, new LED headlamps and a new lower bumper design. New tail lamps connected by an LED light bar and a redesigned rear bumper also help complete the look. 

Inside, the Santa Fe combines space and comfort, making it an ideal family car leasing option. There's plenty of room in the first two rows of seating with adjustments to get comfortable and enough space in the third row for small passengers. While the seats don't feel as tight as those in the Peugeot 5008, if you are after an SUV with more interior space, the Skoda Kodiaq offers more room.

At the rear, the Hyundai Santa Fe can hold 547-litres of boot space. The third-row seats are easily folded down thanks to a pull-tag mechanism, with the middle row of seats splitting in a 60:40 configuration to give a total of 1,625 litres. Again, the Skoda Kodiaq provides 720 litres of space if you are after more room.

The Hyundai Santa Fe has an upmarket interior with lots of high-tech equipment. It isn't quite as high-class as SUVs such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes, but plenty of soft-touch materials are used throughout. A new curvy dashboard with a redesigned centre console, drive mode control, and push-button gear selector also helps it stand out from the crowd. 

All Santa Fe models include a 10.25-inch touchscreen display with DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The display features crisp graphics and lots of functions that allow you to monitor the energy flow within the hybrid system, make calls and adjust the Krell 10-speaker audio system. 

Two trim levels are available, including the Premium and Ultimate.

The Premium model comes with an updated KRELL sound system, climate control, auto headlights and wipers, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors with a rearview camera, and automatic emergency braking. It also has faux leather seats, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Ultimate model adds driver's seat memory function, Head-Up Display (HUD), blind-spot view monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (RTCA) and Highway Drive Assist (HDA). It also adds a panoramic glass electric tilt and slide sunroof and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Under the bonnet, both Santa Fe hybrid models come with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor offering different outputs.

The self-charging mild-hybrid engine is aided and assisted by a 59bhp electric motor fed by a 1.49kWh battery that's topped up when you drive. The mild-hybrid Santa Fe has a combined output of 230 bhp and is available in front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants. 

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version uses a larger 13.8kWh battery with a 91kW motor for a combined output of 265 bhp. This version is offered with four-wheel drive as standard and has a top speed of 116mph.

Out on the road, the Hyundai Santa Fe is great to drive, handling well in corners. Grip levels are high, and the standard self-levelling suspension is well-damped, making for a relaxing experience for all passengers.

Prices for the new Hyundai Santa Fe start from £41,865.00 OTR* or to lease from £435.20 per month.

Want to know more about leasing the Hyundai Santa Fe? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the largest car leasing providers in the UK. All of our leasing deals include the manufacturer's warranty, road tax for the duration of the lease, breakdown cover, and free mainland GB delivery (exclusions apply).

Plus, with fixed monthly rentals, a low initial outlay and flexible mileage and contract terms, leasing a Hyundai Santa Fe might be cheaper than buying outright with a bank loan or dealer finance.

*'On the road' price is correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change. Always check with your nearest retailer.