Hyundai reveals images of head-turning new Santa Fe

The new Santa Fe gets a stunning grilles with LED lights incorporated. Photo: Hyundai

Hyundai has unveiled the design of its upcoming new Santa Fe large SUV, showcasing a new direction in its design thanks to its stunning grille and LED front headlights.

The new Santa Fe is scheduled to arrive in the last quarter of this year with prices and specifications expected closer to the New Zealand launch, though it will be interesting to see if a hybrid version is among the options.

Developed to offer a premium experience while meeting the complete needs of an entire family, the redesigned fourth-generation Santa Fe goes beyond a mere facelift. A fresh look and feel along with new features can be seen from all sides of the car as well as the interior.

“We modernised the new Santa Fe with premium features and appealing aesthetics that are sure to add value,” said SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and head of Global Design Centre Hyundai Motor Corp. 

Hyundai says the bold lines from front to rear gives it a rugged look. Photo: Hyundai

“The bold lines that extend from one side to the other and from front to back give Santa Fe a rugged yet refined look that SUV customers want. Besides, we’ve added numerous features and functions to create a truly family-focused SUV that is a pleasure to drive.”

The new Santa Fe’s front section is defined by the wide grille that extends across the entire width of the vehicle. The clamped shape of the lower air intake harmoniously extends the horizontal line to accentuate the vehicle’s wide and well-balanced stance.

The grille, with its signature geometric patterned inlay, also integrates the headlamps, a signature style found on many Hyundai cars. The eye-catching LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) start at the top of the grille and cut through it to create unique T-shapes at each corner when lit.

The new grille of the Santa Fe has a signature inlay. Photo: Hyundai

The increased width on wheel arches accentuate the SUV’s rugged and powerful character, which is also emphasised by 20in wheels.

The new Santa Fe’s redesigned interior now provides more space, comfort, and convenience compared to the previous model. The centre console sits high, giving the driver and front passenger the feeling of sitting in an armchair.

For the first time, the new Santa Fe comes with a Terrain Mode selector: a control knob located in the centre console to conveniently switch between different drive modes, optimising performance and All-Wheel-Drive settings for a variety of driving situations. 

The new Hyundai Santa Fe has a cockpit design based around the driver. Photo: Hyundai

This feature includes unique modes for sand, snow and mud, as well as eco, sport, comfort and smart modes, the last of which automatically recognises the driving style and selects a mode so the driver does not have to.

The new centre console’s layout freed up space for more storage in the redesigned lower dashboard. The console also accommodates a new 10.25in AVN (audio, video, navigation) touchscreen display with pre-loaded maps, satellite-based voice guided navigation, rear camera display, and complete in-car entertainment and connectivity features.