Bigger and with more space is the thread surrounding the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe, launched globally via a digital platform in Santa Fe, Mexico – with much of the company focus on the wide tailgate that it says seamlessly connects the inside with the outside, expanding consumers’ everyday experiences.
“Since the first-generation Santa Fe’s debut 23 years ago, this iconic SUV has won the hearts of millions of customers around the world,” says Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “The All-New Santa Fe’s bold and powerful identity, which encompasses the boundless outdoors and urban landscape, will establish an unrivalled presence in the mid-sized SUV market.”
This is the full model change for Santa Fe since 2018 and Hyundai adopted an unusual design strategy by starting from the enlarged tailgate area and then moving on to design the exterior.
“The all-new Santa Fe is an SUV that finds a perfect balance between city life and the great outdoors, handling everything from busy family itineraries to camping adventures,” says SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. “With its longer wheelbase, roomy interior and terrace-like tailgate space, the new Santa Fe leans into its SUV strengths to offer more versatility than ever before with a premium customer experience.”
H-shaped lights
Up front is a high hood, H-shaped headlamps and sharply-defined fenders – the H-shaped taillights harmonising with the front lights to provide a distinctive road presence.
The ‘H’ design continues on the inside for the dashboard and air vents and the new interior comes with useful convenience features, such as a UV-C Sterilization Tray and dual wireless charging system for smartphones.
With the longer wheelbase, there is more interior space and the fully foldable second-and third-row seats create a terrace-like space at the rear with the wider tailgate open.
Eco-friendly materials are used throughout Santa Fe’s interior for soft surfaces, such as the headliner, BCF car mats, seatbacks and coverings, such as the crash pad, door trim, and seats.
The petrol-powered Santa Fe’s second-row legroom’s length has increased by 35 mm to 1 075 mm. The hybrid’s second-row legroom length has increased by 20 mm to 1 055 mm. The third-row legroom’s length has increased by 15 mm to 761 mm.
Comfort and Luxury
There is plenty in the way of comfort and luxury features and the first-row Relaxation Seat with Leg Rest allows occupants to relax in a position that helps simulate a weightless experience.
The all-new Santa Fe is well-equipped with a host of driving assistance and safety features that include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, a new Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Driver Monitoring System (DMS), and navigation-based Smart Cruise Control.
Powertrain options are market dependent and, should it come to South Africa, will probably have the 2,5-litre turbo-charged Theta III with eight-speed DCT transmission.
Actual production of the new Santa Fe starts in Korea later this year with external markets getting theirs early next year.
Colin Windell - proudly CHANGECARS
