2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: The Bold, Adventurous SUV Unafraid to Be Different

Hyundai breaks the mold once again, revealing the first look at the upcoming 2024 Santa Fe model. This newest iteration of the popular SUV showcases a courageous new design direction that challenges the status quo and turns heads with its bold aesthetic.

After a span of six years, the Santa Fe is set to undergo a substantial redesign. The new model is distinctive with its boxy proportions and styling details reminiscent of Land Rover, fresh H-shaped headlights, and an elevated, premium appeal aimed at outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts.

Dubbed as a "radical" departure from the current model, the fifth-generation Santa Fe is set for a full reveal in August. Hyundai currently highlights the new crossover design, which is heavily influenced by big data insights on recent outdoor trends.

SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Global Design Center, describes the all-new Santa Fe as an SUV that strikes a harmonious balance between urban life and outdoor adventures. It is designed to handle everything from bustling family schedules to car camping adventures. A longer wheelbase, spacious interior, and terrace-like tailgate space enhance the vehicle's versatility and ensure a premium customer experience.

The front of the new Santa Fe creates a sense of grandeur, as defined by its H-shaped DRLs and the H-motif on the lower grille - a nod to Hyundai’s “H” emblem. The crossover’s rear is simpler overall to balance the exterior design. A sharp wheel arch design and 21-inch wheels lend the new Santa Fe a robust look.

With a long wheelbase and broad tailgate, the fifth-generation crossover ensures ample cargo space. While the specific interior volume is yet to be revealed, Hyundai promises that the fully foldable second and third-row seats will provide class-leading interior space.

Complementing the exterior's rugged structure, the interior design leans towards refinement and spaciousness. The outer H-shape continues inside, reinforcing vertical and horizontal lines to suggest openness and volume. Brightly colored seats, headliners, and the use of fine materials like soft-touch wood-patterned garnishes or delicately embroidered seats, elevate the interior's luxuriousness.

Tech enthusiasts will appreciate the Santa Fe's advanced features. A curved display connects the 12.3-inch digital cluster and infotainment system, improving visibility and lending a luxurious touch.

While Hyundai has yet to disclose detailed technical specifications, the "2.5T" badge indicates the presence of a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which currently produces 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque in the existing Santa Fe. A hybrid variant is expected for the North American market. European models are likely to offer a 226 hp 1.6-liter T-GDi hybrid inline-four turbo and a 261 hp plug-in hybrid variant.

As we wait for further details on the next-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, it's clear this bold SUV is unafraid to be different, gearing up to make a lasting impression in the market.