Hyundai's New Santa Fe: A Bold Makeover!

The New Santa Fe Facelift

What is this...? That's what I thought.

I saw the official images released by Hyundai.

Disappointing. Did they change the designer? Is the era of the beloved mid-size SUV Santa Fe over...? Many shared these disappointing reactions. However, Hyundai officials remained unfazed. They expressed confidence, saying, "We are sure of this," with a chuckle.

Did you see the "Digital Unboxing of the New Santa Fe" video released today on Hyundai's website and YouTube? I went to the Hyundai Motor Studio in Goyang to see it for myself.

The completely redesigned front end, which some have dubbed the "Baby Palisade," looks much better in person than the rather bizarre facelift photos.

The sharp T-shaped daytime running lights (DRL), inspired by the keen eyes of an eagle, elegantly frame the dual LED headlights below. This design shares similarities with the Palisade.

Let's compare them, shall we?

The facelifted Santa Fe has a sleeker and more attractive look compared to the Palisade. While both share a similar overall vibe, they each embody distinct concepts upon closer inspection.

The photos show the top trim of the New Santa Fe, the Calligraphy model. There are some differences in the grille design and the details around the lower bumper...

Now, here’s a comparison photo of the Calligraphy and the standard model. The unique grille and the body-colored lower bumper and fender give it a more majestic presence, don't you think?

In darker colors, the differences may not be as noticeable, but the radiator grille clearly distinguishes the two. The Calligraphy option stands out more in white or lighter colors.

Now, let’s take a look at the wheel design. The left shows the Calligraphy-exclusive 20-inch wheel, while the right shows the standard model...

The side view doesn’t show much difference from the previous Santa Fe, given that it’s a facelift. However, the Calligraphy model features fender garnishes painted in body color, giving it a sedan-like appearance rather than an SUV vibe. It’s surprisingly attractive!

The tail lamp details have also changed. Instead of a chrome line connecting the left and right lamps, they now use a material that matches the lamp itself for a more cohesive look.

While the lights do not illuminate, they do reflect the global trend of tail lamp design. One of the most satisfying changes is the lower bumper diffuser, which now has a more majestic presence...

The reflectors and reverse lights, which used to be located on either side of the rear bumper, have been moved to the upper part of the bumper in a slim and elongated design, enhancing the overall detail. While it’s unfortunate that the muffler tip is gone (for the 2.2L diesel), I hope the gasoline turbo model, set to launch in the second half of this year, will feature a stylish muffler.

Interestingly, despite being a facelift, the New Santa Fe has adopted a brand new next-generation platform, making it 15mm longer than its predecessor. Additionally, the second-row legroom has increased, and the trunk capacity has grown by about 10 liters.

With the third-row seats in use, you can still fit a golf bag without any trouble...

When you fold down the third row, the space becomes enormous. With this amount of room, do we really need to go for a large SUV like the Palisade? Parking becomes a hassle, and navigating narrow alleys can be daunting, right?

Now, let’s head inside. For a moment, I thought I was in a Palisade. Although the floating navigation screen is a significant difference, the overall layout has transformed completely.

The steering wheel seems almost unchanged, but it now features a top-tier 12.3-inch full LCD instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch navigation monitor. The center console and crash pad areas have also gained a more luxurious feel.

Oh, but... the electronic gear shift!

I don’t understand why they keep using this. Nobody seems to like it, haha.

Even when I try to look on the bright side, this still feels like a poor choice. They should have gone with a dial-type like the Genesis GV80... The Grandeur and Palisade are great, but the button-style electronic gear shift doesn’t match well with a combustion engine vehicle at all. Also, they added a dial for off-road driving mode; I’ll revisit this in a future test drive review.

The interior space is generous, especially with the Calligraphy model’s quilted Napa leather seats providing a soft seating experience and luxurious visuals. Considering that the fully loaded New Santa Fe is priced in the mid $40,000 range, it offers incredible value.

A test drive event is coming up soon. I’ll introduce the New Santa Fe facelift again then.

The price ranges from $23,000 to $30,000.

And it continues...