HYUNDAI had a major re-think with its fourth-generation Santa Fe seven-seat SUV, crafting from metal, plastic and glass a grand statement of intent about its ambition to move upmarket as a brand.

It’s now possible to spend more than sixty large on a Santa Fe, in fully kitted Highlander trim, but here we are testing the base Active variant that has a more modest list price beginning with a four.

At this end of the spectrum. it’s still a plush-feeling thing and striking to look at, but has Hyundai sufficiently bettered its incumbent rivals to justify the premium push and rise to the top of Australian seven-seat shopping lists?