► New Hyundai Santa Fe SUV in the metal
► Radical redesign for seven-seater family bus
► First look and feel of new-generation car
The new Hyundai Santa Fe has made its debut in Europe, and we’ve had the chance to give it a proper poke and prod for the first time. Could this radical rethink turn this into one of the best SUVs on sale?
If you’re after seven seats and a distinctive look in combination with the image of an up and coming brand, then the 2024 Santa Fe could be coming for you.
Whoa – the new Santa Fe looks enormous
In the US this is considered a mid-size SUV but, yes, we’d file it in the ‘bloody big’ category over here. Compared with the previous model, both the wheelbase and the rear overhang have been stretched to create more space inside. But even without this, the boxy shape would be creating more presence.
While there are shades of Discoveries past in the appearance, according to exterior design manager from the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, Nicola Danza, it abrupt change in styling direction was more about distinguishing the fifth-generation Santa Fe from the ranks of sporty-looking SUVs currently on the market.
Since the fourth-generation version hasn’t proven to be a massive seller, Danza explains the idea was to offer something distinctly different to this norm, making the new Santa Fe more fundamentally practical in the process.
He describes the thinking as ‘anti-design’, resulting in the flat tailgate and roofline, and the overall visual of a traditional estate car on stilts. The one vehicle he references directly as an influence is the original Jeep Wagoneer, which was very much in this mould.
Isn’t it going to be hideously inefficient aerodynamically speaking?
Though it looks boxy at a glance, the front and rear of the new Santa Fe are subtly curved in a manner intended to convey luxury. It’s still a big, flat-fronted shape to battle through the air, so a few aero tricks have been incorporated – most obviously the air-curtain vents and active cooling shutters in the front bumper.
The vertical rear end actually has inherent aerodynamic advantages, so that’s fine, while the roofline is relatively low for this type of vehicle.
Isn’t Hyundai worried that none of its vehicles look the same?
It’s pretty clear that the design teams at Hyundai have a lot of freedom at the moment to present concepts that they think are right for the particular type of vehicle, rather than being force to reinterpret a fixed brand identity again and again. In this instance, Danza says the Santa Fe was even presented to management with square wheels to emphasis the theme.
The strategy apparently worked, because we’re told the production version is fundamentally similar to that original idea.
And although it doesn’t look like any other Hyundai in general, there are links in the details. It’s hard to miss those H-pattern lights, for instance, which reference the pixel lighting designs seen on other models.
What’s the interior like?
The whole point of the re-vectored exterior is to make the interior of the new Santa Fe better – a process Danza refers to as ‘thinking inside the box’. And it if it’s space you’re after, this has worked.
Big adults won’t want to spend long in the rearmost row, but they will fit back there and they won’t have a problem with headroom; electrically assisted folding and shuffling of the middle row makes access easier, too. That middle row has bags of space, and neat tricks include the centre console box between the front seats having a lid that opens at both ends, making it easy for those middle-row dwellers to access the contents.
The rear doors are long, mind, which might make access in tight car parks an issue (resolved by remote parking capability). And you’ll have to remember to duck your head, as the roofline is lower than in, say, a VW Multivan.
Up front it’s all very plush and modern, with big curved screens, clear graphics and lots of cushy materials.
It’s also hard not to notice the number of cupholders. We counted 12 before you even contemplate chucking a drinks bottle in the main door bins.
There appear to be people camping in the back in some of the photos?
This references the car-camping trend in Korea, which has been considered in the manner the rear seats fold flat and that you can now use the boot lip as a seat.
See also the speculative accessories fitted to the outdoorsy XRT concept version (below), which include an exterior grab handle, rear ladder and chunky roof rack. It’s more than a bit new Defender, but could add some appeal. Note that you can already use the active shutters’ openings as a step at the front, should you need to access a roof tent or similar.
Boot space is given as 725 litres, which is 91 litres more than the previous Santa Fe; this is measured with the rear-most seats folded, however, so don’t expect to get that much and seven people inside.
Any engine details for the new Santa Fe yet?
This is where things get maybe a little bit disappointing. Hyundai has confirmed the European engine line-up as a choice between a regular 1.6-litre turbo petrol mild hybrid with 178bhp and a 1.6-litre turbo petrol plug-in hybrid with 158bhp. Both are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Both powertrains also offer 195lb ft, but that doesn’t sound like a lot of power and muscle for such a substantial slab of automotive transport. The PHEV Multivan has 215bhp, for instance, if we’re sticking with practical seven-seaters, while more traditionally premium seven-seater SUVs are available with far more.
The Santa Fe should hit back with attractive pricing, but we’ve got more of a wait before this is confirmed.
When can I buy the new Hyundai Santa Fe?
You can already buy a new South Korea, but deliveries to Europe and North America aren’t due to start until in the first half of 2024.