Next-gen Hyundai Santa Fe to get a radical styling overhaul

The new Santa Fe gets boxy looks with squarish, upright styling; will get a three-row cabin.

Published On Jun 23, 2023 08:00:00 AM

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The fifth-gen Hyundai Santa Fe has been undergoing testing for a long time, and the latest spy shots show that the popular SUV is set for a major design update. The new Santa Fe's styling will be a big departure from the rounded edges seen so far to a more boxy-looking design, reminiscent of the newer butch SUVs – primarily the Land Rover Defender. The new Santa Fe will be unveiled later this year.

Next-gen Santa-Fe to be a grounds-up new SUV
Gets Defender-like styling on the outside
Will be more plush, tech laden on the inside

New Hyundai Santa Fe: what do the spy shots reveal?

The all-new styling direction is not just for the next-gen Santa Fe, but will likely be seen on more upcoming Hyundai SUVs. The new Santa Fe’s design approach is poised to liberate more cabin room too. It looks much wider and taller than its predecessor, and gets a flat bonnet.

Upfront, the headlamps are square and now get prominent H-shaped daytime running lamp signatures that also double up as turn indicators. The same styling detail is seen on the Exter micro SUV, which will go on sale on July 10 in India.

The front bumper is expected to continue with the angular theme, while a wide air intake below the grille is flanked by two rectangular-shaped fog lamp housings, all getting contrast black surrounds. The front bumper also houses parking sensors and slots for the camera and ADAS sensors.

The new Santa Fe’s front windshield is a tad upright too, adding to the SUV’s boxy looks. The B and C pillars are upright and there’s a decent-sized glass area aft of the C-pillar as well. The SUV is seen with full-length roof rails that run right from the front, all the way to the back.

Meanwhile, the rear glass and tailgate will be devoid of any angles and seems to be quite upright, similar to the Defender. The upcoming Santa Fe also has a strangely positioned light bar and tail-lamp housing at the rear, right at the bottom, close to the rear bumper that runs across its width.

The Santa Fe sits on large 22-inch alloy wheels that make the SUV look decently proportioned, thanks to its squarish looks and its around-5m length. It seems to have generous ground clearance and an independent rear suspension. It will also have relevant AWD gear and drive modes, similar to other Hyundai SUVs like the Tucson and the bigger Palisade.

New Hyundai Santa Fe: what else is known?

Sources tell us that the new Santa Fe’s interior will continue with the squarish theme replete with more plush touches, soft-touch materials and multiple screens. The SUV will come with a three-row cabin that will have at least two seating options. Expect more details on the new Santa Fe’s platform and powertrain to be revealed as the global debut nears.

New Hyundai Santa Fe: Will it come to India?

The Santa Fe SUV was sold in India in its second and third generations and it wasn’t really a strong seller for the brand. Currently, Hyundai’s flagship SUV for India is the Tucson, which went on sale in August last year. In 2020, Hyundai even evaluated the full-size Palisade SUV for an India launch, however, at the moment, there is no news on either the Santa Fe or the Palisade making it to our shores anytime soon.

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