• Enormous amount of space inside
• Plenty of very clever features
• Third row useful for adults

How much space is there?

The short answer is loads – an obvious point given the Santa Fe is so boxy. Second row space is generous; two cupholders and more large storage areas are in each door, as well as a bulk of charging ports and domestic power sockets available. Space is great for adults sitting behind tall drivers, and access to the third row is easy with powered second-row seating.

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Adults can also sit in the third row benefitting from good headroom and acceptable legroom – a rarity, even by seven-seat standards.

Boot space and storage

In the front, the door bins are slim but there are so many other storage areas it doesn’t particularly matter. As well as a huge centre console armrest storage area (which features a cover that can be opened by those in the second row as well as the first), there is a double-deck glovebox and a large storage area below the raised centre console.

Those in the second row benefit from storage cubbies and two cupholders in each door, hooks and power sockets accessible on the front seat backs and more power sockets in the lower centre console. Those in the third row get air vents, power sockets and cupholders, too – no one is forgotten.

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Boot space is impressive. Hyundai says – with all seven seats up – the Hybrid features a 628-litre space, and the Plug-In features a 621-litre one. That rises to 711 and 704 litres respectively with the rearmost seats folded, and up to 1949 and 1942 litres with all folded down.

Is it easy to park?

The Santa Fe is a big car, so it won’t be the easiest thing to squeeze around a car park – particularly a multi-storey. Thankfully even base-model versions come with a rear camera and sensors; you’d need to step up to Ultimate trim for full 360-degree parking assistance, though.

Safety

• Not yet tested by Euro NCAP
• Impressive safety equipment as standard
• Driver-assistance system’s alarms can be intrusive

Hyundai’s latest Santa Fe hasn’t been crash tested yet, but we expect it to do well. The amount of safety on board, as well as the fact Hyundai’s record on creating safe cars is a pretty strong one. We’ll update this when the crash test is performed.

As you’d expect for a car in this price range, you get a very comprehensive suite of safety features. Prime among these are the driver-assistance systems, such as driver steering assist, which keeps you in your lane, and blindspot collision-avoidance assist (BCA), which automatically brakes when the car detects an oncoming collision.

In addition safe exit assist (SEA) keeps doors locked and alerts occupants if the car detects approaching vehicles, and intelligent speed limit assist (ISLA) uses the camera or navigation information to determine the limit and warn the driver accordingly. As you might imagine, these systems are accompanied by chimes and bongs, which might get annoying – but they can be silenced if needs be.