Renders of Hyundai’s next-generation Santa Fe have been shared ahead of the seven-seat SUV’s official debut
Spy shots of Hyundai’s incoming new-generation Santa Fe have inspired an artist’s render that shows off the seven-seat SUV’s Land Rover Defender-like design.
The image released by South Korean graphic designer, NY Mammoth, capitalises on the more boxy dimensions of the fifth-generation Santa Fe prototype, showing a drastic departure from the sleek lines of the current model.
The inbound Santa Fe is referred to internally as the ‘MX5’ [unrelated to Mazda’s iconic roadster of the same name] and is expected to make its debut in Australia in late 2023.
When it arrives in Australia, the Santa Fe will do battle against other popular seven-seat SUVs such as the Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger and Mazda CX-9.
Tougher, bolder design
Key design features like the prototype’s rectangular headlights have been used in the render, with the designer adding a leading line that provides some resemblance to the Range Rover Sport.
Adding to this retro four-wheel-drive look is the addition of a high-raked windscreen, though images of the prototype suggest it will be more conservative in production form.
Interior photos of the prototype’s leather seats feature an embossed logo consisting of a horizontal line with two vertical lines on either end, details which some have speculated could resemble the LED headlight signature in the final model.
Other notable design cues of the render include the two-tone body style that provides a more rugged look, the chrome grille between the headlights and the minimalist alloy wheel design that ties in with the rest of the exterior.
Hybrid drivetrains expected
As Hyundai continues its shift towards electrified drivetrains, the Santa Fe is expected to feature a familiar range of petrol, diesel and hybrid options.
The current, fourth-generation Santa Fe is sold overseas with a plug-in hybrid and ‘self-charging’ series-parallel hybrid option, with the latter slated to arrive in Australia later this year.
Australian buyers are currently offered a front-wheel-drive 200kW/331Nm 3.5-litre petrol V6 or a 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder paired to an all-wheel-drive system.
While Hyundai has strenuously denied previous reports that it’s halting the development of its future combustion engines, it’s more likely than not that we will see an evolution of the current powertrains in the next model.
It’s possible that a fully-electric version could join the line-up, but this role is more likely to be filled by the Ioniq 7 which is estimated to make its debut in 2024.
Update: ‘Powertrain’ and ‘Release Date’ sections updated and ‘TopElectricSUV says’ section added.
The fourth-gen Hyundai Santa Fe that debuted in early 2018 will live shorter than the initial plan. According to a report from thekoreancarblog.com, the next-gen Hyundai Santa Fe would debut early to restore its popularity in the key markets it once enjoyed.
Here’s what we know so far on the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, which is expected in hybrid and plug-in hybrid offers.
Hyundai gave the fourth-gen Santa Fe a comprehensive facelift, and most automakers introduce such extensive revisions, usually with lifecycle changes. However, even such an extreme measure hasn’t seemed to work, and the company has decided to replace the current model with a new-generation model earlier than scheduled.
Codenamed Hyundai MX5, the fifth-gen Santa Fe will have a different positioning compared to the current model. The report claims that Hyundai has confirmed that the next-gen Santa Fe will be a large SUV instead of a semi-large vehicle like the current model. The company could make the Santa Fe [U.S. spec length 188.4 in.] bigger in the next generation, further distancing it from the Tucson [U.S. spec length – 182.3 in.]. However, that would also mean coming up against the Palisade [U.S. spec length – 196.1 in.], which has been performing really well and ended the first half of 2022 with 43,637 units.
Source: Youtube/뻥태기TV
On August 17, 2022, S.Korean YouTube channel 뻥태기TV posted a video containing the first spy pictures of the next-gen Santa Fe. These indicate that the future model will have a strikingly different character compared to the current SUV.
The heavily camouflaged prototype looks boxier and has more traditional SUV design cues. The roofline is straighter, the rear windows are squarer [and reminiscent of Land Rover’s Defender & Discovery 4], and the roof rails are regular ones, not flush-fitted units. The five-spoke chunky wheels are similar to the Fisker Ocean’s F5 AirGlider seven-spoke wheels.
At the front, a spy shot Naver user 디젤매니아 posted on August 26, 2022, revealed that the next-gen Santa Fe’s headlamps are vertical units with H-shaped DRLs. On September 25, 2022, a new set of spy shots from Naver user soonjung8116 offered the clearest look so far at the vehicle’s exterior. We were just wondering how far Hyundai would go with its unusual designs, when we saw these pictures of the 2024 Santa Fe. The stylists have planned an unusual position for the large tail lights of the 2024 Santa Fe, which will be placed above the bumper, as seen in the image below.
Along with a new exterior design, the next-gen Santa Fe will be the first Hyundai to wear the new brand logo, claims an updated report from thekoreancarblog.com. In countries where regulations permit and customers prefer a bold style, the new Hyundai logo will come with backlighting, replicating the front of new-age EVs. That would explain the H-shaped DRLs and the light band in-between.
Interior
The interior of the next-gen Santa Fe would undoubtedly be more upscale, looking more appealing than that of the smaller Tucson, which isn’t the case with the current model. Expect a sleeker dashboard with more neatly integrated air-con vents, a luxury vehicle-style two-spoke steering wheel, a larger touchscreen infotainment system, and a cleaner bridge-type center console. The flatter body panels could help in improving space levels for passengers and luggage, as well as outward visibility.
Powertrain
The next-gen 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe may stick to the current model’s 1.6-liter TGDI engine-based hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems. While improvements are inevitable, a complete replacement of these electrified powertrains is unlikely. In terms of power, Santa Fe’s current hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems are already quite respectable, outputting 226 hp and 261 hp respectively.
The plug-in hybrid’s 13.8 kWh battery pack provides 30 miles of EPA-est. electric range, and that is an area Hyundai could improve in with the incoming generation with new cells. The company is also planning an all-electric three-row SUV with the Ioniq 7, which is a wave of the future.
All four generations of the Santa Fe launched since 2000 have included diesel engine options. However, according to an exclusive report Maekyung.com released on September 27, 2022, Hyundai is not planning the next-gen Santa Fe with a diesel engine. The portal reports that the business case for a diesel-powered Santa Fe is worsening because of declining demand, tightening environmental regulations, and the shrinking gap between gasoline and diesel prices. Hence, customers who want a more efficient Santa Fe may be forced to choose the hybrid or plug-in hybrid version.
Release Date
The second KCB report says that the new Santa Fe will arrive eight to ten months earlier than the original expectation and that the prototypes will soon hit the roads. The U.S. launch of the next-gen 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe could conclude in the second half of 2023. New spy shots on tflcar.com have revealed that Hyundai has shipped a prototype of the next-gen Santa Fe to the U.S., where it is clocking test miles.
TopElectricSUV says
With its rugged looks and increased size, Hyundai’s next-generation Santa Fe will offer drivers more space and a greater road presence. Its increased dimensions should provide passengers with more comfort and convenience during roadtrips. The mid-size SUV will sport a higher appeal in its next generation with new features that include improved electrification for reduced fuel costs and higher driving range, a luxurious interior, and cutting-edge safety technologies.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe FAQs
What is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe release date?
The next-gen Santa Fe could start reaching U.S. dealers towards the end of 2023.
Which SUVs will be 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe alternatives?
Alternatives to the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe will include Honda Passport, Chevrolet Blazer, Subaru Forester, etc.
What will be the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe price?
The 2024 Santa Fe will likely start at under USD 30,000, with the plug-in hybrid models going above USD 40,000.
Featured image: Render of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe by NYMammoth/Youtube
With a Master’s Degree in Business Management & Administration, I’ve been working as an International Automotive News Editor since 2014, and have gained a wealth of knowledge and insight into hybrid and electric vehicles.