24. HYUNDAISANTA FE

WHILE rival seven-seat SUVS have escalated in price, Hyundai’s Santa Fe has remained below the magic £40,000 road tax barrier and been left to hoover up sales from buyers after a family car that’s a bit more stylish than an MPV. There are five-seat versions on offer, but the seven-seaters are nearly as roomy and offer the added versatility of a third row. All versions are well equipped, although limited ground clearance restricts the Santa Fe’s off-road ability.

However, unlike a lot of SUVS in this list, every model in the Santa Fe range comes with four-wheel drive as standard. Price range: £32,845-£39,995 Our pick: 2.2 CRDI 4WD auto Premium (£36,545) Engine: 2.2-litre 4cyl diesel, 197bhp Transmission: 6-spd auto, permanent 4WD Top speed: 118mph Economy: 42.8mph CO2: 174g/km