One of the most eye-catching design from the Hyundai drawboard. Santa Fe looks attractive from certain angles such as its side profile, where its road presence is at the most apparent. Considering how terrible the previous Santa Fe looked, Hyundai has taken massive strides forward. Inside, the well-designed cabin has also been successfully transformed to be more upmarket. Featuring on-demand full-time four-wheel drive system, increased wheelbase and new rear suspension, Santa Fe now handles with impressive composure. Grip levels are high and body lean is well-resisted, although the steering lacks sufficient feedback. All four wheels will be powered into action when the roads get slippery, but stays front-wheel driven otherwise. Ride and refinement, like the handling, are impressive. Santa Fe remains poised over rough surfaces, compromising little on ride quality. Refinement is excellent, with minimal road or engine noise. Wind noise is barely audible except at high cruising speeds, noticeable around the roof rails and windscreen. Telescopic/tilting steering and electric seat adjustments mean getting a preferred seating position is easy. Add the good visibility, supportive seats and simple-to-operate controls, the cabin then presents a fine place for long journeys. Santa Fe's nicely-designed cabin feels well-built, comprising quality materials throughout. Fit-and-finish are about as good as we have seen for Korean cars. Santa Fe now has quality to match Hyundai's long-standing reputation for reliability. According to JD Power customer satisfaction surveys, Hyundai models including Santa Fe scored well for their reliability. And we expect that trend to continue. Two engines are available: petrol 2.7-litre V6 DOHC and diesel 2.2-litre common rail direct injection with Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) system. The petrol is paired to a four-speed automatic, and the diesel with a five-speed automatic. On paper, the 2.7-litre V6 should be faster, but on the roads, the 2.2-litre diesel wins our vote. With 335 Nm from 1800-2500 rpm, the diesel provides plenty of urge for everyday driving. Both engines are smooth, but the V6 does play a nicer engine soundtrack, at a price of higher fuel consumption. Santa Fe is a seven-seater, fulfilling many families' desire for SUV style and MPV practicality. Front-and-middle row occupants get plenty of room, but the last row is best left for kids. Boot space is small with last row up, but for more loading capacity, the middle-and-last row seats can be split/folded with ease. The self-leveling rear suspension is useful when carrying heavy loads. The diesel has reasonable fuel economy, but the V6 petrol is far from the word economical. Servicing and repairs should be affordable, and the reliable mechanicals should lower maintenance cost in the long run. Depreciation, on the other hand, could be more of a concern. The Inokom badge helps little in preserving value, although the brand reputation is steadily improving. Being a value proposition, Santa Fe's depreciation should be much less steeper compared to other Hyundai/Inokom models. Santa Fe is described by many as a mid-size SUV, but to pit it against Honda CR-V or Nissan X-trail is illogical. Whether compared against larger SUVs such as Ssangyong Rexton II and Toyota Fortuner, or against seven-seater mid-size SUVs such as Chevrolet Captiva, Santa Fe makes a strong enough case for itself, and for the new direction Hyundai is taking. Power-adjustable front seats, second-to-third row auxiliary climate control, alloy wheels, electric windows, alarm, remote central locking, and CD playing audio system are standard. Safety kit includes twin SRS airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). SUVs are not expected to be “green”, but if you are “green” at heart yet still want a SUV, the diesel's reasonable fuel economy and commendable carbon dioxide emission level make it “greener” than many SUVs out there. Stay away from the thirsty V6 petrol if the environment is on your mind.