HYUNDAI SANTA FE
1.6T Hybrid Premium
DID YOU KNOW the Hyundai Santa Fe is named after the capital of New Mexico? It’s true, and it’s apt. Back at the turn of the millennium, this model was Hyundai’s first attempt at an SUV, and it became a big hit in the US. As any aspiring music artist knows, make it big in America and you’re en route to the big time.
And, speaking of big, it’s fair to say that size is one of the key reasons why we picked this latest Santa Fe as the best seven-seater on sale. Of course, all the cars in this category have seven seats, but not all have seven roomy seats. The Santa Fe does. All seven of its seats are… crikey, what’s that word again? Oh yes: BIG.
Up front, it’s so big that one of New Mexico’s black bears would fit. Well, maybe. We ran out of black bears with which to test that theory, but what’s certain is that even tall humans will have space to spare – and room for their odd and ends, thanks to the numerous storage locations.
Move to the middle row and things get even more impressive. Big rear doors make clambering in and out easy, and leg and head room are exceptional. There’s enough width for three adults to sit side by side comfortably, too.