Car performance

Hyundai has announced prices for its updated Santa Fe range.

The range starts at £21,495, which is cheaper than the outgoing model and it includes a new engine, more equipment and a simpler two-trim range. You pay £25,495 for the 7-seat Premium automatic.

The new Santa Fe features minor styling changes. At the front, the black two bar grille is replaced by chrome-edged three bar version, while revised headlight clusters sit above a reworked bumper that houses new fog lights in a black surround. At the back there's a new bumper and light clusters, and the reworked SUV features a new alloy wheel design.

Inside, carbon black trim replaces the previous wood finishes and the standard single CD/RDS radio now comes with an aux-in/USB connection with full iPod control.

The range has been simplified with a two-model range now comprising the entry-level Style and flagship Premium trims.

Style models get 17” alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, rear fog light, ESP, air conditioning, x4 electric windows, x6 airbags, steering wheel mounted audio controls, USB/AUX sockets, trip computer, gear-shift indicator, height-adjustable driver’s seat, height adjustable steering wheel, electric/heated door mirrors, halogen headlamps w/ day-time running lights and remote central locking with immobiliser.

Premium adds 18” wheels, dual climate control with rear controls on 7 seaters, front electric leather seats w/heat function, auto-dimming rear-view mirror w/ reversing camera, xenon headlamps, leather steering wheel w/ cruise control, front fog lamps, dusk & rain sensors and electric sunroof.

There's seven-seat option available for a £750 extra on both Style and Premium models.

Under the bonnet is a new 2.2-litre direct injection diesel delivering 194bhp and 311lb-ft of torque (322lb-ft when specified with an automatic gearbox) which amounts to improvements of 26% and 27% respectively on the previous engine. CO2 emissions on manual models are now 176g/km, down from 191g/km with combined fuel economy of 41.5mpg, up from 38.7mpg.

The new engine is mated to a 6 speed manual transmission and it can sprint from 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds. An alternator management system that disengages when not required saves fuel and an ECO' Drive Indicator on automatic versions monitors fuel efficiency. Manual versions have an optimum gear shift point indicator built into the trip computer display.

The new engine delivers an increased towing capacity, with a maximum braked towing weight of 2,500kg, up 300kg on the outgoing model.

Sales start in mid-December.