'I tried the family car you're seeing everywhere and I have thoughts.'

I live in my car.

Okay, I don't literally live inside it, but I spend so much time in it — going about my day thanks to my various roles (mum, employee, business owner, chief shopper) — that sometimes it feels that way.

I’m due for a new car, and a lot has happened since I bought my last one. I had a child. I started a business. AND subsequently, I started running around a lot more to playdates and parties, school pickup and drop off, events and the warehouse… you get the idea.

For the past month, I have been test-driving the new Hyundai SANTA FE Hybrid and, well, I have thoughts.

Image: Supplied. 

My first thought was that it might be too big for me to park.

It’s a seven-seater family car, but I've been driving the six-seater option, which I hadn’t tried before, so I was a bit hesitant about the size. Although I was intrigued at the same time because I need the flexibility of a large boot to run my business, so I was willing to give it a go.

Image: Supplied. 

The first time parking it, all my fears were put to rest because of how much the car assists.

Inbuilt is what’s called a Surround View Monitor, part of Hyundai’s suite of SmartSense safety tech, which gives you a view of what's behind you, but also a view of the car from above, showing exactly how much room you have to manoeuvre on all sides. The car gently beeps as you reverse, then gives you a little wiggle or shake if you’re getting close to an object, so it’s almost impossible to not get it right.

The SmartSense suite also includes an impressive 10 airbags, an alert if there’s something close to you in the next lane when you’re driving and a nifty side camera when you indicate to show you what’s in your blind spot.

The panoramic curved display is one of my favourite parts — it’s so sleek and chic, it’s like driving a new-age spaceship. 

On the display, I can access maps, music (or more realistically, podcasts) and so many other features on the touchscreen. It has wireless Apple CarPlay, of course, which is brilliant because everything is so intuitive to me as an Apple user. More of an Android person? It also has Android Auto.

Image: Supplied. 

Before I get to how much space there is inside, let me tell you about a few other little luxuries I didn't know I needed in a car (but now definitely do).

There are TWO wireless charging docks in the front for phones, which means no more battling it out with my husband for who gets the cord (and no more cords in general, which is so much easier and looks much nicer). There’s also a sanitisation compartment for phones or sunglasses and the like, which works in 10 minutes.

The seats are both heated and air-conditioned (a cool seat in summer will be a game-changer after a day at the beach), as is the steering wheel.

The leather interior on the model I am trialling is a stunning warm white and khaki. I love the combo so much I want to wear it in a jacket. Leather sounds risky, but it wipes clean so well, I’m not worried about my five-year-old’s snacks he has in the back.

Image: Supplied. 

The outside is a stunning matte white colour that has serious 'wow factor' — I've had so many comments on it since I've been driving it. And if white isn't your shade, of course, there are plenty of other beautiful colours to select from.

Speaking of snacks, there’s a very clever drawer you can access from the centre console in the front that kids (or guests) in the back can then pull out. No more fumbling around in my bag to hand a muesli bar back to my son when he’s screaming for something to eat after swimming.

The amount of space this car offers is incredible. The back seats fold down to reveal a huge boot space, ideal for travel and road trips, or when you run a product-based business like I do. And when you’ve got all the gang going somewhere, the seats pop up easily to take everyone along for the ride.

The car has a sexy boxy profile that I love, with some curves in all the right places. And because it’s a hybrid (with a combined fuel efficiency of 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres), I've been saving on petrol. Win-win.

I demand a lot from a car. It’s my office, my music concert, my glam station, my parenting pod, my change room. And the Hyundai SANTA FE Hybrid has been excellent at being every space I need while on the road.

I’m not sure if cars can be attractive, but if they can, this one certainly has the looks and charisma I’m after. Oh, and substance and smarts, too.

Book a test drive of Hyundai's SANTA FE Hybrid online or visit your local showroom.  

Vehicle shown and mentioned in the article is a SANTA FE Hybrid Calligraphy, six seat. Some specifications are available on the Calligraphy variants only, and may vary to other variants.

Feature Image: Supplied.