Hyundai Santa Fe facelift revealed
New looks and features – and hybrid powertrains – for refreshed fourth-generation large SUVThe wraps have come off the facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe, which is confirmed to reach Australian showrooms in the second half of this year.
The popular seven-seat large SUV introduces a pair of new electrified drivetrains for 2020, which carsales understands are under consideration for the Australian market alongside existing diesel and petrol options.
Bearing a bolder look headlined by an enlarged 3D mesh front grille that now spans the width of the vehicle, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe also gets a pair of distinctive T-shaped daytime running lights, wider wheel-arches, a new skid plate, redesigned tail-light cluster and new lower rear bumper.
Inside, the redesigned interior benefits from more space, according to Hyundai, promising a “new level of luxury”.
The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe benefits from soft-touch materials throughout the cabin and a redesigned centre console with shift-by-wire transmission buttons instead of a traditional gear knob, liberating more storage space in the lower dashboard and complementing a new 10.25-inch touch-screen display.
The upgraded SUV comes with a Terrain Mode selector offering the ability to switch between different sand, snow and mud, eco, sport, comfort and smart modes.
Although no technical information has been released about it, we understand Hyundai Australia is considering a new hybrid version of the Santa Fe, combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine, a 44kW electric motor and a 1.5kWh battery for combined outputs of 170kW and 350Nm.
A plug-in hybrid powertrain currently deployed in the European Kia Sorento – comprising a 66kW electric motor and a 16.6kWh battery to deliver 195kW overall – is also understood to be on the menu.
It is believed both hybrid powertrains are under consideration alongside carryover 3.5-litre petrol V6 and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engines.
“Nothing [is] confirmed yet but we’re looking at all electrified drivetrains,” said Hyundai Australia public relations senior manager Guido Schenken.
Pricing for the current Santa Fe starts at $43,990 for the entry-level Active 2WD V6 auto and tops out at $61,660 for the flagship Highlander AWD diesel auto.
More details of the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe line-up will be announced in coming weeks.
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