The idea of buying a used Hyundai might not fill everyone with joy, but don’t write the Santa Fe off just because of its badge. This is an attractive SUV that’s not only immensely practical, but also hugely versatile, with the option of seven seats on offer.
For one thing, thanks to its heavy weight and sturdy construction, the Santa Fe is a great tow car; if you’re after a cheap SUV to tow a caravan, look no further. It’s also dependable – obviously, these older models will need the occasional repair, but are cheap to service, and a well-maintained Santa Fe should be reliable and inexpensive to fix too.
To drive, you’ll find the Santa Fe comfortable and cosseting, and while it obviously won’t corner with the alacrity of a sports car, it’s nevertheless safe, competent and responsive enough for most SUV buyers’ needs. Inside, the dash is built from some rather cheap-feeling plastics – there’s some odious fake wood, too – but everything’s well laid out, and the Santa Fe is pretty well equipped, particularly in top-spec Premium form.
Price from: £2,000
We found: 2006 SantIMAGE Fe CRTD CDX 4WD 7st, 81,000 miles, full service history, £4,299
Watch out for: Diesel particulate filter issues, chipped/cracked windscreens, head gasket failures on diesels, broken/cracked interior plastics
