Hyundai Santa Fe road test reports and car reviews

Hyundai Santa Fe CRTD CDX+ Auto 2007

Have driven high miles in a Toyota Landcruiser, Landrover Discovery (not latest version) and two Nissan X-Trails prior to this Hyundai. The Santa Fe rates highly in this group (not as good as the Toyota but a lot cheaper!). It is roomy, comfortable, performance is not bad although doesn’t accelerate too well up motorwy inclines in the way that, say, the 2.5 petrol engined Nissan does. Diesel engine is very good for relaxed cruising and it is quiet. The auto gearbox is not great - changes down too easily when all you need is a bit more acceleration in the current gear and, as a result, puts the engine into high revs which is unproductive in a diesel. I use the tiptronic function quite a bit which gets round this problem. Went for the 5 seat, not 7, as rarely need 7 and the underfloor storage that you get without the extra seat option is much more useful for us. Roof bars would be useful but they are too wide to take any standard fittings so means back to Hyundai for ski racks etc. Economy is 28mpg round town, up to 33 on long run at less than 75mph. Been excellent over past 20,000 miles