Longer, larger, more spacious and looks more muscular.
This fifth generation Hyundai Santa Fe has debuted with an “Open for More” concept that sees it grow meaningfully in size, and has its transformation centred around its new wide tailgate.
The idea here with the larger tailgate opening is that the boot area of your family’s Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) goes from mere load lugging to becoming an open terrace in the great outdoors that can further enhance that weekend getaway into nature.
The rest of the exterior design follows suit to offer a more muscular and boxy, yet efficient, shape that’s both at home in the urban landscape as it is out in the wilderness. The H-shaped headlights, high bonnet and lower front valence are distinctive, and combine with sharply-defined front fenders to offer a bold and distinctive look.
This new Santa Fe’s longer wheelbase also adds to the terrace-like living space inside the SUV and offers more practicality to the third row of seats. Second-row legroom has increased by 35 mm to 1,075mm and 20 mm to 1,055 mm for the pure petrol and hybrid versions respectively. Third-row legroom has increased by 15 mm to 761 mm.
21-inch rims and tyres are bracketed by angular and muscular wheel arches which combine with the bold roofline to bring forth a grand look.
Two notable engine options are the pure-petrol turbocharged 2.5-litre putting out 281hp and 430Nm of torque via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a hybrid turbocharged 1.6-litre with 180hp and 270Nm of torque sent to the road via a six-speed traditional torque-converter automatic transmission. We’d probably get the latter here in Singapore when the new Santa Fe arrives.
Ten exterior colours will be made available in global markets – Abyss Black Pearl, Creamy White Pearl, Creamy White Matte, Typhoon Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Ocado Green Pearl, Terracotta Orange, Cyber Sage Pearl, Earthy Brass Metallic Matte and Pebble Blue Pearl.
An optional ‘panoramic’ two-section sunroof allows natural light to stream into the capacious cabin to make it feel even more spacious.
The interior comes with useful convenience features, such as a UV-C Sterilization Tray and dual wireless charging system for smartphones. The first-in-class Panoramic Curved Display encompasses the 12.3-inch digital cluster and infotainment system and stands out as a distinctive interior feature. Over-the-air (OTA) updates will ensure the latest software and bug fixes for the vehicle systems without having to bring the Santa Fe to a service centre.
A whole host of driver assistance features like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, Lane Following Assist 2, Smart Cruise Control 2 and Highway Driving Assist 2 help make the commuting experience for the new Santa Fe owner that much easier and more pleasurable.
The interior also features eco-friendly materials for that all-imoprtant green cred. Soft surfaces, such as the headliner, BCF car mats and seatbacks and coverings, such as the crash pad, door trim and seats are all eco-friendly, and the leatherette seats are made of materials that minimize human health hazards and are certified as Class 1 in Europe -safe for infants up to 3 years old.
Five interior colors will be available, namely Obsidian Black, Supersonic Gray, Pecan Brown, Forest Green, and Black Ink. Families with young kids should ostensibly spring for the darker colours.
Unveiled alongside the ‘regular’ new Santa Fe was the XRT Concept that’s meant to appeal more to the outdoor enthusiast and designed to handle challenging terrains with confidence and ease.
More to come when the new Santa Fe touches down on Singapore’s shores. Watch this space.
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