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"Rugged" 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Revealed, Still Waiting for Full Specs

20 years after it first made it onto the market, Hyundai’s flagship SUV in Europe is getting a major refresh. The upgraded model should hit European roads in September this year, and with just a few months left, the carmaker finally decided its time to pull the wraps off the SUV and show us what to expect.
2021 Hyundai Santa Fe 20 photos
Photo: Hyundai
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The new Santa Fe comes with a series of premieres for the family. First off, it is the first model to be sold in Europe by the South Koreans with the new Smartstream hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain. Secondly, it is the first Hyundai vehicle to be based on the third-generation vehicle platform of the carmaker.

With a new face and bolder lines that are supposed to convey it a “rugged, yet sophisticated new design” the SUV boldly steps into the luxury segment, sort of. Hyundai will offer a Luxury Package for the first time, which includes things like a unique 20-inch wheel design, and front and back lower bumpers and side cladding that match the body paint color.

The interior has changed too, with the new Santa Fe boasting a new dashboard design sporting a new 10.25-inch touchscreen, and a redrawn center console. The SUV has also been fitted with a Terrain Mode selector that allows for drive modes to be selected for more off-road prowess, located in the center console.

As for powertrains, for now we’re only told the Santa Fe will feature hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems for the first time, but neither technology was officially detailed.

“With the range of new features, the new Santa Fe further progresses as a premium vehicle,” said in a statement Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe.

“It once again shows that we are listening to our customers and are constantly providing the latest features to serve their needs. This is also the case regarding our powertrain line-up. With the introduction of our new Santa Fe, our whole SUV line-up will be available with electrified versions ranging from hybrid solutions to fuel cell.”
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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