Radical new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe revealed

Hyundai Motor Company has revealed its all-new fifth-generation 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe in the US overnight ahead of its Australian launch in the first half of next year.

Full details will be revealed at its public debut in August, but the first pictures of the Korean brand’s Toyota Kluger rival reveals how the seven-seat Hyundai Santa Fe has evolved into a far bolder family SUV.

The boxy new shape shows off a much longer wheelbase for the Santa Fe, while Hyundai’s designers have also raised the bonnet and developed new H-shaped headlights and striking squared-off wheel-arches front and rear.

The ‘H’ is said to hint at the Hyundai badge and is replicated at the rear with H-pattern tail-lights.

From the side, there’s short front overhangs and large 21-inch wheels that are claimed to provide a “robust, adventurous look”.

Full pictures of the cabin have yet to be released, but Hyundai says the new Santa Fe will offer best-in-class interior space.

Boosting practicality, the SUV gains a larger rear tailgate that’s claimed to provide a “terrace-like feel” when open, while the second and third rows are said to be fully foldable.

The interior is said to also be inspired by the letter ‘H’ with lots of horizontal and vertical lines and a H motif design applied to the dashboard and air vents.

New tech includes a 12.3-inch curved display that combines the infotainment screen and the digital instrument cluster behind one piece of glass.

There’s also brightly coloured seats and headliner to emphasise the feeling of spaciousness, while soft-touch wood and embroidered Nappa leather seats are said to ramp up the feeling of luxury and sophistication.

More sustainable materials have also crept in, with eco-friendly leatherette used for items like the door cards while the seatbacks across the second and third rows are made from recycled plastics.

Both the interior and exterior colours are also said to have been inspired by natural light, which should lead to a brighter palette than before.

“The all-new Santa Fe is an SUV that finds a perfect balance between city life and the great outdoors, handling everything from busy family itineraries to car camping adventures,” said Hyundai chief designer SangYup Lee.

Powertrains are still to be confirmed, but the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is expected to launch with a 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder, as well as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain that will centre around a 1.6-litre turbo.

There’s no plan to bring the PHEV Down Under and the current transmissions are expected to be carried over, meaning the petrol V6 will continue with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic, the turbo-diesel with an eight-speed dual-clutch auto and the hybrid with a six-speed auto.

Just as the Kia Sorento will be sold alongside the incoming battery-electric Kia KV9 family SUV in Australia, Hyundai will follow suit with the Santa Fe to be joined by the Hyundai IONIQ 7 that was previewed at the 2021 LA motor show and will be closely related to its electric Kia cousin.

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