If you ever wanted proof of the value of first impressions, walk up to the new Hyundai Santa Fe, open the driver’s side rear door and take a peak. The measured opulence of the interior invariably forces a comment from the most hardened motorist.

It did from me, and I’m pretty hard to impress. Hyundai have taken a proven formula with a well-known name, and garnished the seats, doors, dash, roof and floor with high quality surfaces, in professionally selected colour schemes. The result, as indicated, is impressive.

However, most people will already be struck by the impact of the Santa Fe’s exterior. Looking like a next generation Range Rover with Lego add-ons – some wheel arch and front end trim is decidedly brick-like – the car attracts mostly favourable responses from under-40’s and is instantly recognised by youth and young kids familiar with home-based plastic brick building.

The car is far enough away from its predecessor to suggest a completely new direction for Hyundai’s second biggest SUV. Clearly there is a strong US influence – big, chunky and power everything. The result will turn heads at school pick-ups at least for the next few months, as competitors seem to go the same direction in angular styling with high sill lines. Safety has a bit to do with that of course.

Driving the Santa-Fe was as far removed from its predecessors as you can get. Every function has some form of electrical or hydraulic assistance. Nestled into the driver’s seat and starting the there is a powerful sense of insulation against the outside.

With that first impression as you move off the engine noise is a bit of a surprise. Doodling around the suburbs or cruising on the highway is quiet and refined, as it should be in an SUV that weighs in at a hefty 2-tonnes. But if you want to sprint into an opening the small 1.6-litre turbo four cylinder gets its revs up and makes itself known.

Combined, the engine and electric motor make 172kW and 367Nm of torque, which are not big numbers in this market sector – the petrol only version spits out 206kW and 422Nm. But the hybrid system blends the seamless urge of the electric motor to the relatively small petrol unit to compensate.

Hyundai claims the system offers an average economy of 5.6l/100kms, but that would depend of usage and load. Fill this baby up to capacity and you’ll have seven people and a houseful of ‘stuff’.

Up against the Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorrento hybrids the Santa Fe needs no pricing or other help to be competitive. It’s the latest of the three and that is reflected in the drive experience.

But don’t expect responsiveness, handling and pin-sharp precision. That’s not what this is aimed at.