Hyundai shakes up Santa Fe
Hyundai’s facelift of its popular Santa Fe SUV goes way further than skin deep, writes Damien O’carroll.
Hyundai has released images of its facelifted Santa Fe SUV but, in reality, it is far more than just a facelift – the large SUV actually sits on a new platform as well.
The new Santa Fe sits on Hyundai’s ‘‘third-generation’’ platform that underpins the latest Sonata and is the first SUV to appear on the platform.
A bold restyling has accompanied the shift to the new platform, with a new face that the company teased last week.
The huge new grille dominates the front, with the bold and angular modular lights adding a strong vertical graphic either side of it. Is it just us, or does it look like it is wearing a surgical mask? Very topical, Hyundai.
It is an undeniably bravemove, but onehyundai has beenmoving towards for some time now as its SUVS get more aggressive and controversial faces. Doesn’t seem to have hurt sales much though.
‘‘We modernised the new Santa Fe with premium features and appealing aesthetics that are sure to add value,’’ said Sangyup Lee, senior vice-president and head of Hyundai’s global design centre.
‘‘The bold lines that extend from one side to the other and from front to back give Santa Fe a rugged yet refined look that SUV customers want. Besides, we’ve added numerous features and functions to create a truly family-focused SUV that is a pleasure to drive.’’
There is less change at the other end of the Santa Fe, with redesigned tail-lights that are connected across the rear hatch by a slim illuminated bar, awide rear reflector and skid plate, creating a three-layer look.
Inside, Hyundai says the Santa
Fe’s redesigned interior ‘‘now provides more space, comfort, and convenience compared to the previous model’’.
The company says that every component is now finished in ‘‘premium soft-touchmaterials’’, while the centre console sits higher to give the driver and front passenger ‘‘the feeling of sitting in an armchair’’.
A new centre console design provides space for more storage in the redesigned lower dashboard, while the console also accommodates a new 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.
Hyundai hasn’t talked about engines at this stage, but did say the Santa Fe will be availablewith hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains – much like the recently-revealed Sorento from sister company Kia – that use the company’s Smartstream tech.
The latest-generation Sonata that shares the Santa Fe’s platform is powered by a range of Smartstream engines, including 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engines and
1.6- and 2.5-litre diesels.
Hyundai New Zealand says that the new Santa Fe is scheduled to arrive here in the last quarter of this year, withmore detailed information provided closer to the local launch.
The huge new grille dominates the front, with the bold and angular modular lights adding a strong vertical graphic either side of it. Is it just us, or does it look like it is wearing a surgical mask?