In August Hyundai Motor Company revealed the latest version of the SANTA FE SUV in a world premiere that featured the ‘Open for More’ concept that conveys the model’s radical transformation centred on its new wide tailgate.
The local specifications aren’t available yet though the market is expecting a fuel efficient hybrid model to be included in the range.
To commemorate the heritage and iconic significance of SANTA FE brand, which spans from its first generation to the fourth, culminating in the recently launched fifth generation, the global launch event and the world premiere filming took place in the beautiful region of Santa Fe in New Mexico, the source of inspiration for the SANTA FE brand.
In the World Premiere Film, the all-new SANTA FE’s wide tailgate seamlessly connects the inside with the outside, expanding consumers’ everyday experiences. The tailgate area, once a storage space, now becomes an open terrace that can be used to effortlessly enjoy the outdoors.
The fifth-generation SANTA FE enhances the midsize SUV’s (large SUV in Australia) city-friendly, adventure-ready appeal with a class-leading, terrace-like living space made possible by its longer wheelbase and larger tailgate opening. The longer wheelbase also allows the new model to offer enhanced third-row seating.
“Since the first-generation SANTA FE’s debut 23 years ago, this iconic SUV has won the hearts of millions of customers around the world,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “The All-New Santa Fe’s bold and powerful identity, which encompasses the boundless outdoors and urban landscape, will establish an unrivalled presence in the SUV market.”
Exterior design: Bold SUV’s powerful presence
For SANTA FE’s first full-model change since 2018, Hyundai Motor adopted an unusual design strategy by starting from the enlarged tailgate area to better facilitate the enjoyment of the outdoors and then moving on to design the exterior.
The new model’s efficient, boxy shape and long wheelbase help convey a powerful presence while the strong yet delicately crafted external design is well-suited to both urban and nature-focused settings.
“The all-new Santa Fe is an SUV that finds a perfect balance between city life and the great outdoors, handling everything from busy family itineraries to camping adventures,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. “With its longer wheelbase, roomy interior and terrace-like tailgate space, the new Santa Fe leans into its SUV strengths to offer more versatility than ever before with a premium customer experience.”
The all-new SANTA FE’s front makes a strong first impression thanks to its high hood, H-shaped headlamps and sharply-defined fenders. Together, the H-shaped headlamps and lower front valance design draw inspiration from the Hyundai emblem to produce a bold and distinctive image.
The longer wheelbase gives the all-new SANTA FE a sense of grandeur, its clean side sculpting complemented by a bold roofline, generous volume around the fenders, robust wheel arches, a shorter front overhang and bold designed 21-inch wheels.
The rear view, distinguished by its wider tailgate, reinforces the sense of solidity while creating a simpler, sculptural look. The H-shaped taillights harmonise with the front H-lights to provide the all-new SANTA FE with a distinctive presence on the road.
Interior design: design elements convey a solid SUV character
SANTA FE’s all-new interior contrasts with the exterior by emphasising horizontal and vertical design elements and matching the tone and mood of the exterior. An H-shaped design is applied to the dashboard and air vents to enhance the sense of openness and create a unique design balance.
The new interior comes with useful convenience features, such as a UV-C Sterilisation Tray and dual wireless charging system for smartphones, to create a sophisticated user experience with SUV-like practicality. SANTA FE’s first-in-class Panoramic Curved Display, which encompasses the 12.3-inch digital cluster and infotainment system, enhances driver visibility and creates a sense of luxury.
With the longer wheelbase, the all-new SANTA FE offers class-leading interior space. Fully foldable second-and third-row seats create a terrace-like space at the rear with the wider tailgate open, enabling users to enjoy the outdoors effortlessly. This appealing design feature reflects Hyundai Motor’s use of big data to identify customers’ interest in the latest outdoor lifestyle trends, such as car camping and gear-intensive adventures.
Eco-friendly materials are used throughout SANTA FE’s interior for soft surfaces, such as the headliner, BCF car mats and seatbacks and coverings, such as the crash pad, door trim and seats. In particular, the leatherette seats are made of materials that minimise human health hazards and are certified as Class 1 in Europe -safe for infants up to 3 years old.
The use of eco-friendly materials extends to the exterior as well. The glossy black paint applied to the exterior trim uses recycled carbon materials. Among the exterior colours, the Ecotronic Gray for North American markets uses a natural bamboo charcoal coating method.
Practical body profile facilitates urban and outdoor activities
The all-new SANTA FE provides class-leading cargo capacity and a spacious tailgate opening, which is great for urban lifestyles and impresses in outdoor use, offering plenty of room for everything from sports equipment to camping gear. The new model maximises outdoor functionality with Hidden-type Assist Handle, located in the C-pillar, for improved roof access.
For the all-new SANTA FE, Hyundai prioritised living space by increasing the second-and third-row legroom. The SUV offers best-in-class third-row comfort (with third-row recline) and headroom improvements in response to customer feedback.
The gasoline-powered SANTA FE’s second-row legroom’s length has increased by 35 mm to 1,075 mm. The hybrid’s second-row legroom’s length has increased by 20 mm to 1,055 mm. The third-row legroom’s length has increased by 15 mm to 761 mm.
The SUV offers best-in-class third-row headroom as well. The third-row headroom’s height has increased by 69 mm to 958 mm. The third-row seating height has increased by 30 mm to 282 mm. The third-row seating reclines 10 degrees, an increase over the previous generation.
Premium features enhance comfort and convenience
To enhance the user experience, the all-new SANTA FE is packed with premium comfort and convenience features, several of which are either the world’s first, first-in-class, or class-leading.
The first-row Relaxation Seat with Leg Rest allows occupants to relax in a comfortable position that helps simulate a weightless experience for its occupants. For the Korean market, the first-row driver’s Ergo Motion Seat utilises air bladders to provide comfort and optimal support while driving. The 6.6-inch full-touch climate control display makes heating and cooling adjustments even more intuitive.
In the six-seat variant, the second-row power-reclining independent seats with armrests provide convenient operation for rear passengers. The second-row power fold-and-dive seats also add a cushion-angle adjustment to create a relaxation mode as the world’s first.
The all-new SANTA FE offers the world’s first Bilateral Multi-Console storage space that can be opened by both front and rear passengers.
When the rear view is obstructed by items in the cargo area, the Digital Center Mirror allows the driver to see what is happening behind the vehicle, and it also helps the driver to better see the darker rear view at night with a brighter image.
Among the all-new SANTA FE’s other convenience features is its high-speed, dual wireless charging system for smartphones. A C-type USB terminal (max. 27W) is also included. In addition, a first-of-its-kind, UV-C Sterilization Tray is applied to the top of the SANTA FE’s passenger glove compartment, providing easy sterilisation of frequently used items, such as cell phones, wallets, etc.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates always maintain vehicle systems with the latest software by wirelessly updating key controllers in the vehicle without requiring a Hyundai service center visit.
Another first-in-class feature is the Digital Key 2 for vehicle access/startup and remote control via the customers’ smartphone, using Near-field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-wideband (UWB) protocols.
Radar-based Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) helps to remind the driver about rear occupants as a safety precaution after the ignition is turned off.
Proactive driver assistance and safety features
The all-new SANTA FE is well-equipped with a host of driving assistance and safety features that reduce user involvement and provide a comfortable, confident driving experience whether simply commuting or on a weekend adventure.
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 can provide a warning and emergency braking if the preceding vehicle suddenly slows down or if a forward collision risk is detected.
Lane Following Assist 2 employs a windshield-mounted camera to help recognise vehicle drifting and helps provide slight steering inputs to return the vehicle back to the centre of its lane.
New Driver Attention Warning (DAW) analyses the driver’s attention and can provide warnings when necessary. Driver Monitoring System (DMS), Hyundai Motor’s first in North America, analyses a driver’s vital signs to help ensure safe driving.
Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2 helps maintain a safe speed while taking curves on the main section of a motorway. Highway Driving Assist 2 helps maintain a set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead. It also assists with lane changes while driving on the main section of a motorway and helps centre the vehicle in the lane while driving.
Among the SANTA FE’s other driver assistance and safety features are 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, and Safe Exit Assist.
