With the redesign, the 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe offers a third-row seat and room for seven people.

Crossovers are the family vehicles of choice for many new-car buyers in these days of record fuel prices, and one of the best is the Hyundai Santa Fe, which entered its second generation just last year.

In the makeover, the Santa Fe was upgraded to a midsize model from its previous compact size.

With the redesign, the Santa Fe now has a third-row seat and room for seven people, which puts it up against the segment-leading Toyota Highlander and other popular midsize crossovers with three rows, including the Honda Pilot.

It earns the “crossover” designation because of its unibody construction that combines the body and frame in one piece, giving the Santa Fe the ride and handling characteristics of a sedan rather than a truck.

The new model replaced a compact Santa Fe that already had been a hit.

This newest Santa Fe is 184.1 inches long, 7 inches longer than its predecessor. It’s also an inch wider and almost 2 inches taller. Its track is 2.9 inches wider, which makes it wider than the tracks of the Highlander and Explorer.

Even though it is larger, the new Santa Fe starts at $21,150 (plus $695 freight) for the base GLS model with front-wheel drive and five-passenger seating. To get the third row, you have to move up to the midlevel SE model, which begins at $24,150.

Or you can go all out and choose the top-of-the-line Limited model, which has a base price of $28,100 with front-wheel drive or, as in the case of our test vehicle, $29,600 with all-wheel drive.

With a few extras, our tester’s sticker price went up to $32,165 (with freight), but it’s not necessary to spend that much to have a nice Santa Fe.

The Santa Fe’s safety features include electronic stability control, antiwhiplash active head restraints, and side-curtain air bags for all three rows of seats.

The side-curtain air bags are standard on all models. Some of the Santa Fe’s competitors offer this feature as an option.

Electronic stability control also is standard on all versions. This system is designed to help maintain vehicle stability in extreme maneuvers to help prevent rollovers.

The 2.7-liter V6 engine is rated at 185 horsepower and 183 foot-pounds of torque, which should be adequate for most people’s everyday needs.

For a lot more zip, though, with nearly the same fuel economy, the 3.3-liter V6 in the up-level models, including our Limited, is the best choice. It cranks out 242 hp and 226 foot-pounds of torque.

EPA ratings are 18 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for the base GLS model with the 2.7 engine and 17 city/24 highway for the models with the 3.3-liter.

The 2.7-liter model comes with a standard five-speed manual transmission, while a four-speed automatic is an additional $1,300.

With the 3.3-liter engine, a five-speed automatic is standard. Both of the automatics come with the Shiftronic feature, which allows the driver to shift manually (without having to use a clutch).

Two-wheel drive is standard, but the electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system is optional. It automatically sends power to the wheels offering the best traction. The driver also can activate a new center differential lock that splits power 50-50 between the front and rear axles regardless of which wheels have the best traction.

Don’t count on doing any serious off-road driving, however. The all-wheel-drive system does not have low-range gearing.

The Santa Fe’s new exterior design has a more aggressive look that includes a new grille and headlights. The body is more aerodynamic, with a lower coefficient of drag.

Although the vehicle is shorter than the Lexus RX, there is more head, leg and shoulder room in the first two rows of seats. The RX doesn’t offer a third row of seating.

In the Santa Fe, the third-row seat has a 50/50 split and can be folded flat to increase cargo space. The middle seats, with a 60/40 split, can be folded, too, creating a cargo area of 78.2 cubic feet.

Three trim levels are offered: the base GLS, midlevel SE and Limited. But even the GLS is well equipped, except for the absence of the third seat, and has more standard equipment for thousands of dollars less than a Highlander.2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

The package: Midsize, five-door, five- or seven-passenger, V6 powered, front- or all-wheel-drive crossover utility.

Negatives: Can get pricey in the top model with all the options.

Length: 184.1 inches.

Curb weight: 3,727-4,022 pounds.

Engines: 2.7-liter or 3.3-liter V6.

Transmissions: Five-speed manual, four- or five-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 185 HP/183 foot-pounds (2.7-liter); 242 HP/226 foot-pounds (3.3-liter).

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Electronic stability control: Standard.

Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; side curtain, all rows.

Cargo volume: 10 cubic feet (third seat in place); 34.2 cubic feet (third seat absent or folded).

Towing capacity: Up to 3,500 pounds.

Fuel capacity/type: 19.8 gallons/unleaded regular.

EPA fuel economy: 18 miles per gallon city/24 (2.7-liter); 17/24 (3.3-liter).

Major competitors: Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Mitsubishi Endeavor,

Nissan Murano, Dodge Journey.

Base price range: $21,150-$29,600 plus $695 freight.

Price as tested: $32,165 (Limited all-wheel drive, including freight and options).