HYUNDAI will import a British version of its first sport utility vehicle launched at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in spring 2000. The new Hyundai Santa Fe was unveiled as a concept vehicle in Detroit but it will go on sale in the United States in spring next year.

However, the UK version will not be called Santa Fe - the vehicle's code name is SM - and while it will retain some of the looks of the concept vehicle details of the UK model remain sketchy. It is likely to be powered by a choice of a 2.7-litre 24v V6 engine or a 2.5-litre turbodiesel unit, but sales levels, specification and prices have yet to be decided for the UK.

The American vehicle is designed to compete with the Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, although Hyundai bosses dubbed it the 'little big SUV' indicating that in the UK it is more likely to compete in size with the Land Rover Freelander but at a lower price rather than its smaller main rivals.