YOU read it here first. I've discovered the next big motoring must-have.

Forget satellite navigation, in-car entertainment systems and bling wheels ... you're car ain't nuthin' unless it's got illuminated cup holders.

Yes, glow-in-the-dark cup holders are THE coming automotive trend.

I first spotted them at the launch of the Dodge Caliber in Ibiza in May, glowing cheerfully between the front seats of the US company's macho-looking hatchback.

Now they're to be found subtly lighting up the life of drivers of Hyundai's new Santa Fe.

This latest 4x4 from the ambitious South Korean company, slotting in between the Tuscon and Terracan four-wheel-drives and replacing the previous model of the same name, is a leap forward in terms of exterior styling and a real winner on interior kit.

And Hyundai are entering the territory of such big players as the Volvo XC90, Volkswagen's Touareg and the Land Rover Discovery, by offering a seven-seater version.

The Santa Fe I tested, a black, CRDT CDX with tall alloys and rear privacy glass, had the third row of seats (a $600 option) and a natty arrangement they were, too, being easily accessed via one of the rear passenger doors and a fold-forward second-row seat thereafter.

Capacious

Those extra seats fold away in simple fashion, leaving a perfectly flat and capacious load area.

This near top-of-the-range version leaves nothing to spare in the bells and whistles department, with gorgeous cream leather trim for all seats, the driver's being electrically adjustable, dual-zone climate control, upmarket CD autochanger, cruise control, and of course those cupholders, emitting a soft blue light.

Behind the glossy spec, the Santa Fe is a creature of substance, with a high standard of construction and a lusty 150bhp turbo diesel engine creating a package that has a high-quality feel about it.

Even the dashboard plastics, long a minus point on South Korean motors, are of the gloriously soft-touch variety.

The new Santa Fe is bigger than its forebear, with a longer wheel base and increased overall length, thus allowing for the third row of seats.

It has shed its predecessor's rather muted lines, for a sharp, far more imposing look.

I spent a lot of time in this car during my week-long road test, one day taking me on an a 350-mile round-trip, and the near limo-like interior is a pleasure on such a long run, especially with the individual climate control and steering wheel controls for the sounds.

Rewarding

The driving experience is rewarding, too. I know that 4x4s have their detractors, but I do like the elevated seating position and the overall feeling of security that the genre gives.

Add to that a slick five-speed manual gearchange, light clutch and positive brakes and steering, and the Santa Fe makes for feel-good motoring.

Ride and handling were confidence-inspiring, too, a tribute to the engineering of suspension that is expected to cope with rough stuff as well as Tarmac.

Up-and-coming car-makers often play the value-for-money card, and Hyundai has done this with its keen prices and remarkable five-year warranty.

That approach seems to be paying dividends, as the marque's second-hand values have been strengthening.

Yet the company's models are extending their appeal beyond just VFM, and the new Santa Fe's qualities of style, comfort and high equipment levels will no doubt help enhance the maker's image.

Oh, and don't forget those cup holders!

Tweet