2024 Hyundai Santa Fe revealed, due in Australia next year

November: New Santa Fe driven ahead of Australian launch

We've finally driven the new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe!

Catch our review here to see if this is the family SUV you should wait for.

July: New-gen Santa Fe revealed!

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has debuted ahead of its local launch early next year.

Hyundai’s fifth-generation Santa Fe large SUV has adopted a “lifestyle-based design typology” with boxier, Land Rover-like styling, new H-shaped lighting, and a more premium cabin.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed the new Santa Fe will arrive in local showrooms in the first half of 2024, with full details – including specific timing and pricing – to be announced closer to launch.

Technical information is unknown as a full debut will occur next month, but familiar petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains are expected.

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Replacing the current Santa Fe – launched in 2018 – the latest model is broader than ever, with a longer wheelbase.

It is believed to ride on an updated version of the current N3 platform first introduced with a heavy mid-life update in 2020.

Square headlights headline the new design with an H-shaped signature inspired by the Hyundai badge, which also features within the vertical tail-lights for unity.

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“Major updates shaped by big data around the latest outdoor lifestyle trends,” is how Hyundai describes the radical new look.

Sharper and wider wheel arches are joined by alloy wheels up to 21 inches in diameter, while the enlarged glasshouse makes it appear wrapped around the entire vehicle.

Hyundai claims it focused on maximising rear luggage capacity, with “best-in-class” interior space and a wider, flatter tailgate.

Inside, the new Santa Fe looks similar to the latest Kona and facelifted Sonata, with an airier feel and a curved glass panel for the infotainment system and instrument cluster.

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This setup comprises a dual 12.3-inch infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, replacing the freestanding 10.25-inch infotainment and hooded 12.3-inch cluster found on current flagship variants.

The updated infotainment system runs Hyundai’s latest software, with over-the-air software updates, USB-C ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluelink connected-car technology likely.

With the gear shifter moved to the steering column – as seen on Kona and Sonata – the centre console houses a dual wireless phone charger, while the climate panel now features touch controls for certain functions, with fewer buttons than the outgoing model.

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It appears to be the first Hyundai vehicle to introduce ultraviolet lighting to sterilise its cabin after the technology was announced in 2020.

The H-shaped design cues continue inside, including the multi-colour ambient lighting and the second-row air vents, which have shifted to the B-pillar like the Ioniq 5 electric SUV.

A storage shelf for the lower centre console and front passenger brings added practicality, while the pictures suggest it could also feature a dashboard-mounted storage compartment.

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As with other recent Hyundai models, the brand has focused on eco-friendly materials, with the suede headliner, floor mats, and second- and third-row seatbacks said to be made from recycled plastics.

While engine details are yet to be confirmed, powertrains are likely to be similar to the current model with 2.5T and HTrac badges seen here, confirming a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol and all-wheel drive.

Other options are likely to include an updated 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

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It is unknown if the 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 – first seen in 2005, with several revisions since – will be retained for the all-new model, or if it’ll be replaced by the more-efficient four-cylinder turbo-petrol in Australia.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is due in Australia in the first half of next year, with full details to be announced in due course.

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals 3036 examples of the Hyundai Santa Fe have been registered in Australia year-to-date, placing it behind the Kia Sorento (5311), Toyota Kluger (4658), and soon-to-be-discontinued Mazda CX-9 (3382).

Below: The current 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

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