Hyundai has unveiled its new, fifth-generation Santa Fe, and the sparkling new model is quite a departure – as Hyundai itself says, the large SUV has been ‘radically transformed.’
It’s big, boxy and bold in the styling stakes with an angular design, long wheelbase, short overhangs, prominent wheel arches, high bonnet, and H-shaped headlamps joined via a light bar across its front. The flat rear-end, with its large tailgate, has the same H-style design for its lights and there are some very smart-looking, 21-inch wheels rounding out the look.
The interior has a premium look, stacked with features. There’s a panoramic curved display that includes a 12.3-inch digital cluster and infotainment system, a 6.6-inch climate control display, digital rear-view mirror, dual wireless charging for smartphones, USB-C charge ports, and even a UV-C sterilization tray on top of the glove compartment that can be used to sterilize items such as a phone or wallet. Clever touches include a ‘bi-lateral multi-console storage space’ that can be opened by both front and rear passengers.
Hyundai says over-the-air (OTA) updates will be available to maintain vehicle systems with the latest software.
Second and third-row seats are fully foldable with the Santa Fe’s larger and longer size – now 4,830mm long by 1,900mm wide by 1720mm tall (without roof rack) with a wheelbase of 2,815mm – offering more space and more legroom, while eco-friendly materials, including recycled plastic and eco-friendly leatherette, are used throughout the interior on elements such as the headliners, mats, seatbacks and coverings.
In most markets, the new Santa Fe will be available in 10 exterior colours, including Abyss Black Pearl, Creamy White Pearl, Creamy White Matte, Typhoon Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Ocado Green Pearl, Terracotta Orange, Cyber Sage Pearl, Earthy Brass Metallic Matte and Pebble Blue Pearl.
Hyundai says the Santa Fe will be available with a host of safety and driver assistance features, with Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Rear View Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Front/Rear Parking Distance Warning, Surround View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Smart Cruise Control and driver attention and monitoring systems amongst them.
The Santa Fe will get a variety of powertrain options depending on the market (it’s not yet clear which will be available in Australia). Those powertrains include a petrol 2.5-litre turbocharged engine delivering 207kW and 422Nm; a 1.6-litre petrol turbocharged hybrid with 132kW and 265 Nm; a 1.6-litre petrol turbocharged plug-in hybrid delivering 118kW and 265 Nm; and a 2.5-litre petrol engine delivering 143 kW and 246Nm.
The all-new Santa Fe model is expected to go on sale in Australia in the first half of 2024.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2023)
20 September 2023
