Hyundai Santa Fe review

Prices run from £46,775 to a maximum of £57,635 with a sweet spot around the £50k mark – we’d argue a 2WD Ultimate trim at £50,275 is probably the pick of the range for most families. Invest in tyres if you’re worried about winter security.

Ultimate trim, confusingly, isn’t the, er, ultimate. That’s Calligraphy, which brings such treats as the C-pillar assist handle (pointless), UV-C compartment (use a wet wipe), Napa leather and a relaxation front seat with built in leg rest. It’s lovely. You’ll never have the time to enjoy it. Even base Premium has as much kit as you’ll ever need and still comes with 20-inch wheels.

PCP deals through Hyundai have a 6.9 per cent APR, so put down £7,400 and you can have one for £537 a month over four years. Just bear in mind you’ll have spent £55,257 in total against a list cost some £8,500 less.

Fuel consumption: the 2WD hybrid claims 44.1mpg, against 40.9 for the 4WD. The plug-in does 166.1mpg. CO2 stands at 145/156g/km (HEV) or 38g/km (PHEV). Both versions - even the plug-in without regular charging - will return 37mpg overall in regular driving.

These figures are slightly better than the outgoing Santa Fe. The frontal area has gone up, but the drag coefficient is down – as low as 0.294 thanks to radiator shutters, careful wheel shaping, well-managed airflow around the tail, and underfloor cladding.

Hyundai has stuck all the safety gear on, including 10 airbags, which ought to help insurance cost as well as peace of mind. Hyundai's warranty isn't the longest, at five years, but it's unlimited mileage. So fill yer boots.