Twist Of Fe

Hyundai has given its seven-seater suv not so much a nip-and-tuck facelift as a dose of major surgery

- Daniel Gardner

New Cars can have a tendency to age like a glass of milk. What seemed like revolutionary styling touches last year date faster than Liam Hemsworth on Tinder, and the incredible advancement of powertrain technology can make last year’s efficiency hero look like a steam train against the latest engines. But not the Hyundai Santa Fe.

When it rolled out in its fourth generation, Hyundai’s then biggest SUV was devilishly handsome and brought a package of driving dynamics and practicality that put competitors in the segment on notice. But that was a mere two years ago and, unlike many of its rivals, the Santa Fe has not aged a day. Which is why it’s so surprising that Hyundai has already treated the model to a mid-life refresh – and it’s not just a gesture either. It rolls on a new platform, has significantly restyled aesthetics and a heap of new technology, so we wouldn’t criticise them for choosing to label it as ‘new’.

As before, the range comprises four key variants, all of which can be ordered with a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and front-wheel drive, or (for a $3500 premium) the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel driving through the company’s H-trac all-wheel-drive system. Pricing has increased over the previous iteration, with the entry model kicking off from $44,700, up about $700. There’s a greater premium to pay at the pointy end of the range, with the flagship Highlander tested here now costing $61,700 – that’s up by about $3000 because it gets the most significant extra kit.