Hyundai’s quest to reinstate the Santa Fe as South Korea’s top-selling SUV means a new-generation model is on the way – and with it will come a new look.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe could adopt a similar design language to the Staria people-mover – and proportions reminiscent of a Land Rover Defender – when the fifth-generation family SUV makes its debut next year, or in 2024.
Despite heavy camouflage adorning the Santa Fe prototype, images posted by Jung Young Teak (via The Korean Car Blog) show distinctive H-shaped LED lights on the new family-sized Hyundai for the first time.
In what may be a similar look to the Staria people mover, the SUV could use rectangular headlights set within its grille, while a full-width LED strip at the bonnet shut line could serve as the Santa Fe’s daytime-running light (DRL) – though it’s not clear if the H-shaped signatures are DRLs or indicators.
The H shape is also echoed in the tail-lights, as can be seen illuminated through the vinyl camouflage.
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The next-generation Santa Fe – known internally by its codename ‘MX5’ – is expected to wear all-new sheetmetal, increasing in size to help distinguish the model from its sibling, the Hyundai Tucson.
However, it is yet to be confirmed how different it will be underneath – as the current Santa Fe switched to a brand-new platform with its mid-life facelift in 2020, which is shared with the latest Kia Sorento.
Overseas rumours point to the Santa Fe being fast-tracked by the Korean car giant in order to help re-establish the model as the best-selling SUV in its home country.
An April 2022 report from The Korean Car Blog suggested the upcoming Santa Fe will also be the first model to adopt the brand’s illuminated badge – though it’s possible this will only be offered on plug-in hybrid models, and in certain markets.
Along with a plug-in hybrid, a conventional hybrid option is also expected, though full details aren’t expected to be known until the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe makes its debut in the second half of 2023.
Below: The current 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
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