82 Hyundai Santa Fe: Good but needs to up its game

The Santa Fe sits a great deal lower down this list than its most-mechanically-identical relation, the Kia Sorento. Why? Well, mostly it is a styling and cabin ambience preference. The Sorento's more American-style look, both inside and out, just has greater appeal, for us, than does the Santa Fe's more Germanic aesthetic.

There’s nothing at all wrong with the Santa Fe, in any sense – it is good looking, decent to drive (again though, less overtly comfortable than the Kia) and while its 2.2-litre diesel engine’s CO2 emissions are a touch on the high side, it’s reasonably frugal to own and run. And of course, its seven-seat layout makes it far more practical for families, for now. We say for now as the seven-seat SUV market is about to get very crowded indeed, with new rivals coming from Peugeot, Skoda and others.

The Santa Fe, in this generation, has been good enough to see Hyundai stand favourable comparison with BMW and Audi. It now need to up its game.

Price range: €39,995 to €53,745

Co2 emissions: 147 to 174g/km

Which one? 2.2 CRDI Executive 4WD

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