It's one of the oddities on the motoring world: a car that's actually a bigger name than it's parent brand. For decades in Ireland, the Hyundai brand was associated with budget motoring. Yet the Santa Fe was a well-established middle-class motor. For many, it was the car that pioneered the cross over into SUVs by many Irish families. Like them or loathe them, the Santa Fe was what drove the onset of SUVs into school car parks.
Since its earlier iterations, the Santa Fe has dramatically improved in terms of quality fit and finish, though it still could do with improvements in terms of sharper handling and ride refinement. Rivals have stolen a lot of its thunder, while within the Hyundai family, it no longer holds the lead against much-improved sister models like the Tucson. Price is a factor, but there are still families trading in German premium models in return for a Santa Fe.
Best model: Comfort 2WD
Prices start from: €39,995
Finance package from: €407
Co2 emissions: 147g/km
Sum-up: The car that introduced the Irish to the SUV - and the middle classes to Hyundai