Hyundai Santa Fe (2018-2023) review

This is the fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, soon to be forgotten about because a new, surprisingly handsome replacement is imminent. For now though, if you order a new Santa Fe, this is what you're getting.

Very little has changed in the final years of the Mk4's life, aside from a marketing push to get the people of the world to pronounce it 'hyun-day' instead of 'hi-un-die', of course.

It's a seven-seater, right?

Correct. And one that's traditionally been cheaper than its rivals. Those include the Skoda Kodiaq and Land Rover Discovery Sport, both of which it now sits alongside in terms of list price – even if you can ultimately spend a lot more money speccing up your Discovery Sport.

You can also view the Santa Fe as a cheaper alternative to the likes of the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery, all of which are bigger and more expensive but come with a more premium image. Toyota now has large hybrid SUV skin in the game in the form of the Highlander, but that car is priced up alongside the premium crowd.

Hyundai isn't exactly ‘bargain bin' these days, though.

Exactly right. The Korean firm has put a lot of effort into upgrading its image through bold styling and improved quality. Clearly you've noticed its efforts on the motorsports scene – that's earned it more badge credibility, too.

Is it going to look horribly dated now, then?

Styling-wise, the front end of the Santa Fe is distinctive without being obnoxious. The brand has avoided the temptation to ape more car-like styling cues and so the Santa Fe wears its upright, 4x4-style stance with poise. Think Merc GLC. It’s classy like that.

Presumably there's more to it than just looking the part...

Of course. The 1.6-litre petrol hybrid engine pushes out 261bhp, has a top speed of 116mph and can cover 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds. Granted, it’s not rapid, but then it’s a seven-seater SUV, not a supercar. You weren't expecting it to be, right?

One thing you do notice when you get behind the wheel of the Santa Fe – even if you haven’t driven previous versions of the car – is the effort that Hyundai has put into its general refinement. Road and wind noise have been well damped. Most bumps and potholes are well smothered by the Santa Fe’s suspension – which doesn't creak or rattle on the move.

The slight audible whine to let you know what’s happening in electric mode isn't unpleasant, either.

So far, so competent...

The Hyundai is definitely worthy of making your shortlist when it comes to seven-seat cars, albeit with the standard caveat that the rearmost seats are really best suited to youngsters. If you want to carry six adults along with you, you’ll have to look somewhere bigger.

The Santa Fe might suffer in comparison to its rivals if you’re looking for a wider range of engines. In addition to the 1.6-litre petrol paired up with a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid set-up, this car also comes with the option of a 2.2-litre diesel. Those three should provide enough to cover most needs.

This is the first generation of Santa Fe to be offered with a two-wheel drive option, a pragmatic admission from Hyundai that your usual SUV buyers aren’t necessarily interested in putting the car’s visual promises of off-road glory into practice. What you lose in go-anywhere ability you claw back in improved fuel economy; up to 42mpg in the case of the hybrid.

It’s a difficult transition to manage, trying to go from budget to mainstream carmaker, but Hyundai has nailed it. For some the Hyundai badge still won’t have the cachet of rivals, but if you can look past that the Santa Fe has a lot to offer. 

None of the cars at this end of the market really get the pulse going, unless practicality and interior packaging really does it for you. In fact, the Santa Fe aims to do the opposite, slipping unobtrusively into everyday family life and making it that little bit easier. 

If seven seats are at the top of the must-haves on your list the choice has sometimes felt a little sparse in recent years – not so these days, with plenty of different candidates vying for the family vote. That the Santa Fe can hold its own among these offerings is impressive indeed.