Hyundai Santa Fe

Seven-seat SUV gets a bold new look and a roomier, more upmarket interior On sale Early 2024 Price from £48,000 (est)

- George Hill

SOME NEW CARS can be hard to tell apart from their predecessors, but not the new Hyundai Santa Fe. Gone are the curves and gaping grille of the outgoing model, and in its place comes a boxier shape that gives the seven-seat SUV a more substantial appearance.

So, why has Hyundai gone down this route? Well, as well as going up against its previous rivals, which include the Kia Sorento and Skoda Kodiaq, the new Santa Fe will need to assert itself against premium rivals, too - cars like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery.

Indeed, the straight-edged styling and pronounced wheel arches of the new Santa Fe have more than a hint of the previous-generation Discovery about them.

Along with its angular new design, the Santa Fe has gained a few inches in its wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles) to help improve interior space. This should help its already strong footing in the practicality department; the current Santa Fe - our 2023 Seven-seater of the Year already has roomier second and third seating rows than the Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail.