And you can check it out for yourself at the upcoming The Car Expo, taking place from 5 to 6 October 2024.

After launching the all-new Santa Fe Turbo-Hybrid in a 7-seater configuration earlier in July, Hyundai is kicking it up a notch with a higher-end 6-seater version. But don’t expect to see it flooding showrooms just yet; this model will be sold on an indent basis only.

The 6-seater Santa Fe is powered by the same 1.6L GDI turbocharged hybrid engine as its 7-seater sibling.

The big difference here lies in the seating arrangement. This version comes with a 2-2-2 setup, featuring captain seats in the middle row, giving passengers that extra touch of comfort and space.

Available exclusively in the top-tier Calligraphy trim, this model oozes luxury. Owners are treated to a plethora of features, including a world-first UVC-Sterilisation Tray, Dual Wireless Fast Chargers, and a discreet Hidden Assist Handle in the C-pillar.

With the 6-seater option now available, this is how the Santa Fe lineup is priced:

• Santa Fe Turbo-Hybrid 7-seater: $259,999
• Santa Fe Turbo-Hybrid Calligraphy 7-seater: $279,999
• Santa Fe Turbo-Hybrid Calligraphy 6-seater: $281,999

In addition to unveiling the new 6-seater Santa Fe, Hyundai Singapore is sweetening the deal with an exclusive #HyundaiHybrid package for all new hybrid owners. This includes a generous 10-year package that covers:

• 10 years of complimentary servicing
• 10 years warranty on the engine
• 10 years warranty on the gearbox and transmission
• 10 years warranty on the high-voltage battery

Interested? You’ll have to act fast. 

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Kudos to Hyundai for daring to make a brazen and blunt-looking sports utility vehicle (SUV), which contrasts well with other softer, rounder SUVs in its segment, with its chief price competitor being the Mazda CX-60.

The previous generation Hyundai Santa Fe was muscular, but noticeably rounder. This new Santa Fe TurboHybrid is still muscular, albeit boxy and butch-looking, and we think all the better for it.

Blunt or rotund, that seems to be the nearly SGD$300,000 question.

Battleship-esque

Head-on, the Santa Fe TurboHybrid’s sheer frontal area looks ready to indiscriminately bulldoze lesser vehicles out of its way, accompanied by suitably sinister-looking and striking ‘eyes’ courtesy of ‘H’ pattern daytime running lights (DRLs) in the LED headlight assembly.

Everything is really upright here at its bluff nose and contrasts well with the raked windscreen, with the bonnet betwixt serving to look like a mountainous plateau in the process.

Wide haunches mark out the wheel arches, further strengthening this large SUV’s musculature. Meaty 255/45 R20 tyres wrap around black 20-inch multi-spoke rims and make this vehicle look well-planted on the blacktop, especially in the test car’s Earthly Brass Matte hue.

Make no mistake about it – this Santa Fe TurboHybrid is visually and actually spacious, thanks to its now-longer 2,815mm wheelbase, and bodes well for its occupants.

Slab-sided doors further add to the effect of solidity, and the C-pillar cleverly hides an Assist Handle that makes clambering up to access roof-mounted items that much easier, much to the delight of active outdoorsy folks I’m sure.

Round the back, one is yet again greeted by another pair of sinister ‘H’ patterns, this time in devilish red, in the chunky taillights sitting in that mahoosive electric tailgate.

If at this point it hasn’t yet sunk in, heft is the theme of this new Santa Fe TurboHybrid.

Stern

The gargantuan tailgate swings electrically upwards to reveal 628 litres of luggage space with the third row of seats stowed. Yes, third row. More on that in a bit. Just remember to park a little further away from a wall.

Fold the second row away, however, and you’ve just liberated a cavernous 1,949 litres of HDB flat-moving ability. Be prepared for friends to ask for your assistance when shifting house.

Back to the third row, it’s sufficient to accommodate younger children for longer commutes or squeezing in adults for shorter jaunts to and from the office during lunch. This space gets its own cupholders though, which is a nice touch for the young’uns.

Midship

The second row is generous in its proportions and can be adjusted forward to liberate more legroom at the rear if the third row is in use, or aft for more legroom in the second row itself.

The centre console features a rather deep drawer for storing knickknacks, and no doubt will serve the family with children very well.

As will an aircon vent on either B-pillar to keep second-row occupants cool, and a USB Type-C port integrated neatly into the rear side of each front seat for mobile-device charging duties.

Two cupholders feature on each door just forward of the armrest, while another bottle holder features lower down. Lots of drink storage back here. Manual sunshades for the rear windows serve to keep occupants nice and comfy on boiling hot days.

At this point, the panoramic sunroof in this Calligraphy variant bears mentioning. I think Hyundai has done it rather cleverly.

The sunroof is offset more rearward to allow both rear rows of passengers a direct skyward view, and the shade for this portion of the sunroof is electrically operated.

The forward section has a manual sunshade which is easily operated from the driver’s or passenger’s seat and allows natural light to filter in without reflecting off the trim or screens.

Fore

The front seats themselves are supportive and comfortable. Featuring heating and cooling, as well as electrical adjustments with two memory settings for the driver, getting the seats into one’s preferred position is a cinch.

The steering wheel is also electrically adjustable and features the requisite steering-mounted controls for audio, telephony, adaptive cruise and scrolling through various pages in the instrument screen.

As expected of a modern Hyundai, two large screens sit side by side on the dashboard. The instrument cluster is cleanly laid out and is aided by a Head-Up Display (HUD) showing speed, adaptive cruise and blindspot monitoring information.

Beside it sits the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Again, it’s cleanly laid out and easy to get to grips with. The audio system plays nice and loud without becoming fatiguing.

Accoutrements

Just below that sits the aircon control panel, which features a neat combination of both physical and haptic-touch controls and works simply and easily. Other manufacturers who love to use touchscreen controls need to look to this system as the gold standard when it comes to a modern, yet simple and intuitive implementation of climate controls.

The glovebox is of a good and usable size, and there’s also a smaller cubby for UV-C sterilization just above it. Simply push the button next to the infotainment screen to reveal this hidden pathogen-destroying space for your mobile phones, wallets, pens, et al.

Not one but two wireless chargers feature in the centre console of the Calligraphy variant to keep both driver’s and front passenger’s phones topped up. Just behind that sit two cupholders, complementing the bottle holder in each front door.

Finally comes the centre console, or what Hyundai calls ‘Bilateral Multi-Console.’ Don’t expect any high-level ministerial meetings to occur though. ‘Bilateral’ means the console lid can be opened from both the front and the rear, giving everyone access to the rather sizeable space within.

Underway

There’s no getting away from the Santa Fe TurboHybrid’s size, but it’s neither insurmountable nor intimidating. Helping out in this respect is a rear-view mirror that can be switched to serve as a screen for the rear-view camera if one prefers.

Large side mirrors and a generous glasshouse mean that outward visibility is good. Engage the respective turn signals and a blind-spot camera is displayed on the instrument cluster. Lane changes are therefore easy and much more secure.

A 360-degree camera system helps with getting into parking spots. Remote Smart Parking Assist allows one to move this SUV forward or backward from outside if someone has parked too close.

I was impressed with how the previous Santa Fe rode so comfortably without the use of air suspension or adaptive dampers. That theme carries on here with this Santa Fe TurboHybrid. This will, no doubt, keep the family happy for longer journeys.

Although huge, this SUV can put in a surprising turn of acceleration when needed. Moving off smartly from traffic lights is possible thanks to its self-charging hybrid system in combination with the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine.

Together, they make 215hp and 367Nm of torque, which is plenty for daily driving duties. Not only that, but the powertrain is also frugal for a vehicle this size and mass.

Hyundai quotes a combined WLTP average efficiency of 6.9-litres/100km or 14.5km/litre. Utilising the pulse-and-glide technique, I was able to achieve a weighted and normalised average of 5.39-litres/100km or 18.6km/litre across both the street and highway routes.

Naturally, your mileage may vary with use-case and driving style, but good efficiency is achievable with smooth, not slow, driving.

Should You Buy One?

While it’s comprehensible that some may be put off by its size, there’s no escaping the fact that this is one SUV that will get noticed on the streets. No worries about losing it in a shopping centre carpark, then.

That it’s packed to the brim with excellent safety features, useful tech and some luxury touches at its price point makes the Santa Fe TurboHybrid a true value proposition. Add to that the 10-year or 150,000km hybrid powertrain warranty and you’ve got yourself an excellent family vehicle.

It’s rather easy to drive, comfortable, pretty frugal and will serve your family’s needs well for years to come. The only small annoyance is the driver attention monitor being a little too eager to bing and bong.

Tell you what – let Grandpa, Grandma and the kids loose on the Santa Fe TurboHybrid in the Hyundai showroom, and let them tell you if they like it. Pretty sure they will.

That would make the purchasing decision that much easier, wouldn’t it?

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Technical Specifications

2024 Hyundai Sanfa Fe TurboHybrid Calligraphy

Engine Capacity: 1,598cc inline four-cylinder turbocharged
Combined Power: 215hp @ 5,600rpm
Combined Torque: 367Nm @ 1,000-4,100rpm
Drive: front wheels
Transmission: six-speed automatic
0-100km/h: 9.6 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 180km/h (claimed)
Kerb Weight: 2,025kg
Fuel/Battery Capacity: 67-litres
Fuel/Energy Economy: 6.9-litres/100km or 14.5km/litre (claimed)
Range: up to 971km (claimed)
Price: S$277,999 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Hyundai Singapore

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Komoco Motors has just launched the much-anticipated fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe in Singapore.

With two trims to choose from – the TurboHybrid and the TurboHybrid Calligraphy – there’s a lot to get excited about.

The new Santa Fe makes a striking first impression with its urban-friendly appearance, practically begging you to take it on an adventure.

With a longer wheelbase and a larger tailgate opening, this SUV offers a terrace-like living space that maximises rear cargo capacity.

“Since the first-generation Santa Fe’s debut 23 years ago, this iconic SUV has won the hearts of millions of customers around the world,” said Jaehoon Chang, Hyundai’s President and CEO.

“The All-New Santa Fe’s bold and powerful identity, which encompasses the boundless outdoors and urban landscape, will establish an unrivalled presence in the mid-sized SUV market.”

Hyundai started with the rear, enlarging the tailgate area to cater to outdoor enthusiasts, coupled with H-shaped taillights, reinforcing a sense of stability while adding a minimalist, sculpted look. The rest of the car mimics this facade, resulting in a high bonnet, H-shaped headlamps, and defined fenders.

The longer wheelbase, clean side sculpting, bold roofline, and 20-inch wheels give the Santa Fe an air of grandeur.

Inside, the H-light design flows seamlessly from the dashboard to the air vents, seat stitching, and even behind the seats.

A large three-compartment storage at the front passenger seat adds convenience, and the UV-C Sterilization Tray right beneath the dashboard is a first-of-its-kind feature, perfect for keeping small items germ-free.

Dual wireless charging pads on the centre console with a 6.6-inch full-touch climate control display allow for easy adjustments. The Panoramic Curved Display, which includes a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system, gives you everything you need at a glance.

Thanks to the longer wheelbase, the Santa Fe offers a spacious 2-3-2 seating configuration. Fold down the second and third rows, and you’ve got a whopping 1,949L of cargo space; enough to fit everything from camping gear to flat-pack furniture.

The second-row power fold-and-dive seats now come with a cushion-angle adjustment, a world’s first. The third-row seats offer recline and headroom improvements, making long trips more enjoyable for adults.

A Hidden-type Assist Handle in the C-pillar makes roof access a breeze, perfect for loading up bikes or kayaks.

Under the hood, the Santa Fe TurboHybrid runs on a 1.6-litre Turbocharged Hybrid engine, delivering a combined output of 215hp and 367 Nm of torque. This setup, paired with a 6-speed Automatic Transmission, offers a fuel efficiency of 6.9L/100km. 

Safety is paramount in the new Santa Fe; it’s equipped with a 10-airbag system and a suite of driver assistance features that reduce user involvement.

The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe is now on sale in Singapore. For more information or to schedule a test drive, contact Komoco Motors.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven) 

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

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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