Hyundai Santa Fe XRT to get significantly cheaper

The locally built Hyundai Santa Fe XRT could soon become drastically more affordable, following Hyundai’s hint that the all-terrain family hauler might become a factory-produced model for our market.

Speaking to carsales at the media launch of the IONIQ 6 N super sedan, Hyundai Australia product planning and development manager Tim Rodgers said the local operation was regularly asking for a factory-produced XRT, and that the pleas were being heard.

“Currently, Santa Fe XRT is only [factory] built in America, but certainly, every chance we can get, we’re asking for it to come out of different factories,” he said.

“And the good news is, I think Korea is very receptive in this regard – they see the potential and they see our case study, so … it’s looking good.”

At the time of writing, the Santa Fe’s rugged XRT makeover is available here via a pair of dealer-fit accessory packs that include a 30mm suspension lift (new springs and dampers), new hubs, off-road wheels and tyres, a bash plate and XRT-branded mud flaps.

The XRT Adventure Pack comprises all the above while the XRT Peak package bundles in integrated side steps, roof racks and roof platform, a bonnet protector and weathershields as well.

Both packs have sold in modest numbers thus far – 218 since September 2024 – but clearly enough for Hyundai HQ to note.

One of the biggest hurdles to their success has been the cost: the current Santa Fe is already far from a cheap car and with the packs costing between $6990 and $10,990 depending on the variant, they make a pricey vehicle significantly dearer – you’re literally buying a second suspension setup and new rolling stock, plus the other accessories.

Moving to factory-sourcing would significantly reduce the XRT’s price of entry and undoubtedly make it more appealing to adventurous families without the need for a ladder-frame off-roader.

Rodgers said the project was well received by dealers, consumers and head office as an initial XRT case study and was giving the local operation confidence leading into the local introduction of the bigger and more capable Palisade XRT Pro.

“I think we’re ready to take that plunge here … and we’re going to develop this concept (XRT/XRT Pro) more and more as we launch more and more cars.

“We’re taking a lot of learnings of how N works and applying that to the XRT and XRT Pro format.”

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