The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the oldest nameplates in the midsize SUV segment, but it's about to get a radical makeover for its fifth generation. The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe midsize SUV, which was unveiled in July, features a bold and boxy exterior design, a longer wheelbase, a spacious and luxurious interior, and an optional third row of seats. Hyundai says the new Santa Fe is designed to meet the needs of outdoorsy lifestyles, with a wide tailgate, ample cargo space, and roof-mounted accessories. The new Hyundai Santa Fe also showcases a new H-shaped design motif that is inspired by Hyundai's emblem and can be seen in the headlights, taillights, lower fascia, and dashboard.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is expected to go on sale in the first half of 2024, with pricing and powertrain details to be announced closer to its launch. However, based on the concept images and the information available so far, we can get a good idea of what to expect from this striking SUV.
Exterior Design: A Departure from the Norm
The most noticeable change in the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is its exterior design, which is a departure from the norm in the midsize SUV segment. The new Santa Fe has a boxy and rugged look resembling a smaller version of the Hyundai Palisade or a Land Rover Defender. The front end features a large grille with horizontal bars and integrated LED headlights that form an H-shape. The hood has a clamshell shape that extends over the fenders, creating a muscular appearance. The side profile reveals a shortened front overhang, a longer wheelbase, and large 21-inch wheels. The rear end has a simple and clean design, with low-mounted LED taillights that wrap around the fenders and a wide tailgate that opens up to reveal a spacious cargo area.
Hyundai says the new Santa Fe's exterior design is meant to convey a sense of adventure and capability, as well as to maximize interior space and rear cargo capacity. The new Santa Fe has a longer wheelbase than the current model by 3.9 inches, which translates into more legroom for the second- and third-row passengers. The cargo area is also larger than before, with 41 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 83 cubic feet with both rows folded down. The tailgate is wider than before by 5.5 inches, making it easier to load and unload bulky items. The roof rails can accommodate various accessories, such as tents, bikes, kayaks, or skis.
Interior Design: A Blend of Luxury and Technology
The interior of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is also a blend of luxury and technology, with high-quality materials and advanced features. The dashboard features a horizontal layout that emphasizes the width of the cabin, with intersecting vertical lines that create an H-shape motif. The center console houses a large panoramic display that combines the infotainment system and the climate controls. The driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can be customized to show different information. The steering wheel has a four-spoke design with multifunction buttons and paddle shifters.
The seats are upholstered in Nappa leather with contrast stitching and piping, while the headliner is made of suede. The door panels have eco-friendly leatherette and wood trim, while the floor mats are made of recycled plastic. Hyundai says it used sustainable materials throughout the interior to reduce its environmental impact. The color scheme of the interior is bright and cheerful, with orange accents on the seats, dashboard, and door panels.
The new Hyundai Santa Fe can seat up to seven passengers in three rows of seats or six passengers if equipped with captain's chairs in the second row. The second- and third-row seats are fully foldable to create a flat load floor for maximum cargo space. Hyundai says it will offer best-in-class interior space for the new Santa Fe, as well as various storage compartments and cup holders for convenience.
