The Santa Fe was awarded four stars for adult protection in Euro NCAP crash tests along with three stars for child protection. However it was given zero for pedestrian protection and Hyundai was criticised by the safety organisation for not doing more to protect pedestrians. Six airbags are standard across the range while CDX models (and all revised models from late 2009) come with an electronic stability programme as standard.

There are also fixings for child seats fitted and seven seat models come with self-levelling rear suspension.

This a key strength and with a cavernous standard boot space of 969 litres – that’s huge compared to most family cars and even more than a Range Rover – the Santa Fe is ideal for active families. Even if you opt for the seven seat version, the clever fold flat system means that with the extra seats folded down, boot space is just as generous. The second row almost folds flat with a slick action where the seat cushions move forward and down automatically.

Access to the rearmost seats isn’t that straightforward, as you can only get in from the passenger side, but this isn’t a major problem.