HYUNDAI SANTA FE
Square dance
7/10
Are you seeing what we’re seeing? A 2004 Discover y, that masterpiece of sheer-sided Geoff Upex design and unstoppable off-road adventurism? Yeah, there’s some of that here, a body shaped with minimalist style ethos but maximalist space efficiency. The Hyundai Santa Fe is a family SUV, about as big as you could possibly want for British streets and car parks. It’s got seven seats with cargo space beyond that, and it’s a solid tow car.
But actually it’s a slightly different proposition from an old Land Rover. It’s only optionally 4WD, and doesn’t have a low ratio transmission or diff locks. For most people it’s better off without that weight and complication.
While it looks big enough to block out the sun, it’s actually a useful 120mm shorter than today’s Discover y. But the silhouette, as boxy as a box of Lego, encloses a cathedral of space. With a bit of compromise by sliding the first two rows of seats, seven grownups can fit, and their seven airline cabin bags behind. They all get vents and lights and USBs and cupholders, so no one draws the short straw.