Hyundai SANTA FE Wins “Large SUV of the Year” at 2025 News UK Motor Awards

The Hyundai SANTA FE has claimed the title of Large SUV of the Year at the 2025 News UK Motor Awards. The award, judged by the editorial teams behind The Sun, The Times, and The Sunday Times, recognises the very best in the automotive world — and Hyundai’s flagship SUV has once again proven its ability to impress both critics and customers alike.

Judges Praise Design, Comfort and Drive

The SANTA FE stood out in a fiercely competitive category, earning praise for its striking design, exceptional practicality and smooth, refined driving experience. The judges described it as “a remarkable vehicle, vast on the inside, yet to drive it feels like a much smaller, nimbler car.” They added that “on the motorway, it reveals another side, as a luxurious and capable cruiser, while inside, there are innumerable practical touches to make family life easier.”

Its bold exterior styling, distinctive silhouette and refined interior struck the perfect balance between sophistication and usability. The combination of modern design, smart engineering and thoughtful detail helped the SANTA FE secure its place at the top of the podium.

A Choice of Efficient Powertrains

Launched in 2024, the latest generation of SANTA FE offers customers a range of advanced powertrains to suit every lifestyle. The line-up includes a 1.6-litre T-GDi Smartstream petrol engine available with both two-wheel and four-wheel drive, as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. The plug-in hybrid model provides an impressive 34-mile (WLTP) all-electric driving range, making it ideal for short commutes and low-emission urban travel.

Inside, the SANTA FE’s fully foldable second- and third-row seats deliver outstanding versatility, whether it’s carrying passengers in comfort or creating space for larger loads. The result is an SUV that blends premium comfort with practicality, making it a natural fit for active families who value space, style and dependability.

Continuing a Legacy of Award-Winning Success

The 2025 News UK Motor Award adds to the growing list of accolades that the SANTA FE has collected in recent years. Among its previous honours are Best Hybrid 7-Seater at the What Car? Electric Car Awards, SUV of the Year 2024 from TopGear.com, Car of the Year 2025 from CarWow, and Best 7-Seater at the Auto Trader 2025 Drivers’ Choice Awards.

Commenting on the award, Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said:

“Buyers are not short of choice in this area of the market, but the SANTA FE’s comfort, powertrain line-up and distinctive design make it a thoroughly compelling package.”

Find out more about the Hyundai SANTA FE on our website:

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F.P. Smith Holdings (Newark Avenue) Limited trading as Smiths Dacia, Smiths Renault, Smiths Hyundai and Smiths of Peterborough and Smiths Motor Group, F.P. Smith Holdings (Ilkeston) Limited, trading as Smiths of Ilkeston, Smiths Vauxhall and Smiths Motor Group, F.P. Smith Motors Limited, trading as Smiths Nissan, Smiths Vauxhall and Smiths Motor Group are Appointed Representative of Automotive Compliance Ltd who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 497010). Automotive Compliance Ltd’s permissions as a Principal Firm allows F.P. Smith Holdings (Newark Avenue) Limited trading as Smiths Dacia, Smiths Renault, Smiths Hyundai and Smiths of Peterborough and Smiths Motor Group, F.P. Smith Holdings (Ilkeston) Limited, trading as Smiths of Ilkeston, Smiths Vauxhall and Smiths Motor Group, F.P. Smith Motors Limited, trading as Smiths Nissan, Smiths Vauxhall and Smiths Motor Group to act as a credit broker, not a lender, for the introduction to a limited number of lenders, and to act as an agent on behalf of the insurer for insurance distribution activities only.

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Our approach is to introduce you first to the manufacturer lender linked directly to the particular franchise you are purchasing your vehicle from, who are usually able to offer the best available package for you, taking into account both interest rates and other contributions. If they are unable to make you an offer of finance, we then seek to introduce you to whichever of the other lenders on our panel is able to make the next most suitable offer of finance for you. Our aim is to secure a suitable finance agreement for you that enables you to achieve your financial objectives. If you purchase a vehicle, in the majority of cases, we will receive a commission from your lender for introducing you to them which is either a fixed fee, or a fixed percentage of the amount that you borrow. This may be linked to the vehicle model you purchase.

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