An extremely important nameplate for Hyundai, the Santa Fe rolled out in 2000 for the 2001 model year. Elevated to the mid-size crossover segment for the second generation, the sport utility vehicle prepares for its most profound redesign yet for the 2024 model year.
The South Korean automaker's mid-size crossover adopts Land Rover Defender-like proportions for its fifth generation. Referred to as MX5, the 2024 model further stands out with the help of headlights featuring H signature lighting. Scheduled to premiere in full next month, the newcomer has been confirmed with foldable rear seats. Foldable second- and third-row seats, that is. The outgoing Santa Fe, codenamed TM, comes exclusively with five seats in the United States.
H-pattern signature lighting is also featured out back, where you'll also find body-color accents on the quarter windows. The profile further shows low-profile rubber mounted on multi-spoke wheels, the kind of wheels that are better suited for an Escalade in a rap music video than a front-biased crossover of South Korean origin.
Black-out pillars, body-color side mirror caps, and black-painted rails for the roof also need to be mentioned, along with a slightly longer wheelbase than before. Curiously, Hyundai describes the rear liftgate as being a tailgate. Official photos of the all-new Santa Fe also reveal a monolithic dashboard with Land Rover influences. Even the steering wheel has that Land Rover thing about it, which is both disappointing and nice.
Disappointing for aping the British automaker so much, and nice for a Hyundai. The South Korean marque has integrated all climate controls in a single gloss-black panel, which also features two rotary controls. Land Rover much?
Photo: Hyundai
The center tunnel that connects the console of the Santa Fe to the dashboard rocks two wireless phone chargers and two cup holders large enough for thermal bottles. The hollow section underneath is a welcomed change as well, as are the slim air vents, twin high-resolution screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, as well as the… wait for it… steering column-mounted shifter.
The shifter's location should be a hit with American customers. The H motif of the headlights and taillights also carries over to the interior, especially if you look closer at the design of the air vents. Wood garnishing and Nappa leather upholstery will be available, with Hyundai also confirming a suede headliner made from recycled plastic. The eco-friendly theme continues with the floor mats and third-row seatbacks, which are also made from recycled plastic. The interior door cards and the crash pad use leatherette rather than the real thing.
Engine choices are still a mystery, but don't expect any substantial changes from the current selection of six- and four-cylinder lumps. Depending on the market, the fourth-generation TM is available with anything from a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder lump to the 3.5-liter Lambda II and 3.5-liter Smartstream V6 powerplants.
Available with purely internal combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the Santa Fe for the US market currently starts at $28,750 (sans destination charge). Those eyeing the hybrid or plug-in hybrid are charged $36,210 or $42,410 right off the bat, respectively. An electric version isn't planned, for it would cannibalize sales of the upcoming Ioniq 7.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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