30 APRIL 2007 Mileage 3745 Forecast CPM 43.2p Actual CPM 49.1p The filling release button jammed in the open position at a filling station the other day, making closing the filler cap impossible. Luckily, a little wiggling of the button fixed the problem.

18 APRIL 2007 Mileage 3401 Forecast CPM 43.2p Actual CPM 49.1p Actual running costs have dropped recently due to more out-of-town driving which has resulted in better fuel consumption. Not sure it will last, diesel prices are rising again.

4 APRIL 2007 Mileage 3205 Forecast CPM 25.1p Actual CPM 28.9p A brief spell as a seven-seater highlights a problem common to all cars in this class – a lack of boot space. Seven people, yes. Seven cases, too? Near impossible.

21 MARCH 2007 Mileage 2660 Forecast CPM 42.2p Actual CPM 52.6p Our Santa Fe has been causing some drivers to doubt their opinions. One moment they think the car is dull and boring, the next it’s the most useful and relaxing car going.

7 MARCH 2007 Mileage 1302 Forecast CPM 42.2p Actual CPM 52.6p An emissions warning light popped on, but a dealer revealed this was normal as the system tested itself every so often. He said call back if the light didn't go out within a week. It has.

21 FEBRUARY 2007 Mileage 1013 Forecast CPM 42.2p Actual CPM 52.6p Our second snow of the winter meant the Santa Fe was put to the test again, and once again it came through with flying colours. Who says 4x4s aren't needed in London?

Main Report

With anecdotal evidence claiming that 4x4s are on their way out (although sales figures say otherwise) we've timed the arrival of our latest long-termer badly.

In fact, we timed it so badly that our Hyundai Santa Fe was guerrilla-stickered with an anti-4x4 leaflet on only its second night in our hands.

So I should feel compelled to defend the 4x4 and particularly our Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2-litre diesel CDX seven-seater [1]. But the weather did that for me recently when we got an inch of snow [2].

While others slithered around in their two-wheel drives, our four-wheel drive long-termer [3] felt surefooted and negotiated otherwise impossible inclines.

We picked the Santa Fe because Hyundai has been promising to break into the business car market for almost a year now, and it's easily the firm's most credible user-chooser offering.

Interestingly, in its first month it has proved even more popular than we anticipated (although obviously not with the anti-4x4 community). The reason is straightforward and simple: our car has the (£1000) automatic gearbox fitted [4], which suits it perfectly.

Autos dull the driving experience, making driving less fun, but the Santa Fe isn't about fun in the 'cornering prowess' sense - it's about helping you enjoy your life on the road, which these days is more about keeping your heart rate low in traffic laden cities and dull motorways.

The auto does exactly this - just put it in drive and go. The engine is also refined and the ride incredibly comfortable, all making for a stress-free life.

We're only running the car for a short three months so we'll try and cram in as many reports as possible before it goes back to see if this calming experience continues.

Subscribe