Ten years ago when you mentioned Korea and 4x4 in the same sentence, the vision conjured up was raw, rasping, raucous, or just plain rough.

Macho military types might have been happy ploughing through mud at the wheel of vehicles like the short-lived SsangYong Korando, but High Streets were mercifully bereft of their presence.

The boom in sales of 4x4s meant any car maker planning to take a serious slice of the market had to quickly raise its game in quality and sophistication.

It is five years since Hyundai pitched in with its meaty Santa Fe, which lifted the bar for off-roaders from the Pacific Rim in terms of comfort and equipment.

Its successor, which is priced from about £21,000, is bigger and better again, inside and out, with plenty of choice - two engines, three trim levels, and crucially, the option of seven seats. Add to that Hyundai's still unrivalled five-year, unlimited mileage and transferable manufacturer-backed warranty and you have a pretty powerful competitor in the big sports utility vehicle stakes.

The test model was powered by a 2.2-litre diesel engine, which offers the prospect of near 40mpg consumption in day-to-day use.

Inside, the air-conditioned cabin is bigger and altogether smarter than before. On models fitted with seven seats and climate control, those in the rear-most seats have their own ventilation controls and the suspension is self-levelling.

Modern blue instrument lighting is easy on the eye and adds to the sense of refinement. On higher-grade models the interior is full leather, and all versions have a wood grain finish on the dashboard.

While the previous Santa Fe used a fixed four-wheel-drive set-up, the new Santa Fe employs a "torque on demand" system, similar to that in its smaller sibling, the Tucson.

In normal conditions, drive is through the front wheels only. When conditions demand, four-wheel-drive can be engaged simply by pushing the 4WD button on the front console. This locks all four wheels into permanent drive for better performance when travelling off-road, or on low-grip road surfaces.

All versions of the new Santa Fe are fitted with six airbags, eight in the seven-seat models and three-point seatbelts are provided on all seats.

Hyundai is obviously impressed with its efforts in producing the Santa Fe and likes to talk about it in the same breath as top-line European toff roaders, such as the Volkswagen Touareg, BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery. Now that really is pushing things a bit, but the Santa Fe is a solid offering.

Auto facts Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRTD

  • Price: £22,020
  • Insurance group: 13
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 38.7mpg
  • Top speed: 111mph
  • Length: 465cm/183in
  • Width: 189cm/74.4in
  • Towing capacity: 2,200kg
  • Fuel tank capacity: 16.5 gallons/75 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 193g/km
  • Warranty: Five years/unlimited mileage