Hyundai has announced its upcoming all-new Santa Fe seven-seat SUV, due here next year.
The styling of the new Santa Fe was led by Hyundai's North American Design Centre in Irvine, California.
It is expected to be available in three trim levels (Active, Elite and Highlander), powered by an efficient Theta II 2.4-litre GDi petrol engine, or a powerful R-series 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine and is available with a six-speed automatic with electronic sequential manual mode or six-speed manual transmission which achieves an combined fuel economy of 6.6L/100km.
Styling is a new interpretation of Hyundai’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language and the new Santa Fe has a bold hexagonal front grille, signature eagle-eye projector beam front headlamps and a sweeping bonnet line.
In profile the low stance, sleek rising beltline blended with three-dimensional moulding, body-side character lines, low profile roof rails, and rear roof spoiler offer an aerodynamic silhouette.
Additional design elements include chrome door handle accents and body coloured mirrors with integrated LED side repeaters.
Elite and Highlander variants feature solar control glass with a privacy tint applied from the B-pillar backwards. Designed to reduce and moderate cabin temperatures, it also shields cargo from prying eyes.
Wheel arch and surround mouldings house a collection of new design alloy wheels matched to each trim level.
Satin chrome details are matched back to all-new cloth or leather/leatherette design upholstery featuring elegant touches such as door arm rest emblems. Crash pad and interior surfaces effuse a premium soft-touch feel, while the advanced interior lighting system offers map lamps, mood lamps, and cabin lighting to create a premium ambience.
The supervision instrument cluster with large TFT LCD colour centre display (Elite & Highlander models) provides clarity, and benefits the driver with access to a wide array of vehicle information including trip computer, distance to empty, odometer reading, service intervals and more.
Elite and Highlander models offer a suite of features including; proximity key with push-button start, auto-dimming mirror with in-built compass, climate control air-conditioning, and solar control glass with a privacy tint designed to reduce and moderate cabin temperatures, and offer additional concealment and security.
Intelligent convenience touches include the addition, in Elite and Highlander models, of a manually operated retractable mesh blind cleverly hidden in the top of the rear door trims for enhanced security or further protection from sun ingress for children.
An ingenious door wrap design will see the end of dirty trouser bottoms, skirts and dresses. The system employs a decreased bottom door frame width to ensure mud, dirt and road grime is swung away from the door, rather than catching and collecting.
On the Highlander model, the full-length panoramic sunroof is an electric tilt and slide glass roof which allows natural light to flood the cabin. The sunroof has been designed to open fully or tilt open, offering flexibility and functionality, and features an adjustable full-length shade which affords the cabin effective heat insulation.
The new Santa Fe offers ample storage and stowage options including moulded cup holders to fit large and small bottles, spacious seat back pockets, door pockets, and clever tubs and wells conveniently located in the centre console.
An intelligent seating configuration allows for a multitude of stowage options including longer items utilising split-seating.
It offers a myriad of seating possibilities with a flexible, multi-function second row which operates with forward-and-back slide; recline for ultimate passenger comfort, and 40:20:40 split to offer exceptional convenience for loading and stowage.
Elite and Highlander models offer a 12-way power driver’s seat, with four-way lumbar support to ensure perfect driving posture, while on Highlander models, the addition of heated front and second row (outboard) seating provides a new level of refinement.
The third row features 50:50 split full-folding seating for a total seven seats across the entire model line-up. In addition both second and third row seats can be folded flat to offer optimal load transporting capability, and a one-touch fold lever conveniently allows operation of the second row fold from the rear cargo space.
A lightweight luggage screen cover is standard across the range, offering added security and aesthetic for the cargo space. Conveniently, the screen can be stowed in a purpose-designed space in the cabin for ease and safety.
The new Santa Fe is available with two powertrains options – the Theta II 2.4-litre GDi petrol available in Active models, or the powerful R-Series 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine available in all trim levels across the range.
New to the Santa Fe line-up and developed by Hyundai engineers over almost four years, at a cost of more than $150 million, the Theta-II 2.4-litre petrol engine utilises the latest direct injection technology to deliver a peak power output of 141 kW at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 242 Nm at 4,250 rpm.
The Theta-II high-tech 16-valve engine features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) and a Variable Induction System (VIS) for better engine breathing.
The new Santa Fe offers the powerful R-Series 2.2-litre Common Rail Direct injection (CRDi) diesel engine featuring a Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT) to minimise turbo lag and increase efficiency at higher engine speeds. The intercooled turbo engine produces maximum torque of 421 Nm (manual) and 436 Nm (auto) between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm, and 145 kW of power at 3,800 rpm.
