Hyundai Malaysia Teases 3 More Models Coming in 2023 – Santa Fe, Tucson & Ioniq 6?

The all-new Hyundai Creta SUV is the latest hot-shot to join Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors’ (HSDM) fleet, set to ablaze the local B-SUV segment with its presence. Apart from the new SUV model launch, HSDM, via the official Hyundai Malaysia Facebook page, has unveiled yet another teaser of the three new models coming this year.

Said teaser image only unveils the two current non-electric SUV models offered by HSDM – the upmarket Hyundai Palisade alongside the newly-launched Hyundai Creta. Beyond the two SUVs, the image showcases three blacked-out models, with only clues given are the cars’ silhouette.

Interestingly, this is not the first time HSDM has teased these models, with all of them already featured in a short teaser video published back in December last year. This time around however, the firm has somewhat confirmed that all these models will make their way to our local market sometime this year, judging by the teaser image caption that reads “2023, we’re coming”.

From left: Tucson, Ioniq 6, and Santa Fe?

Judging by the dark silhouette, we can clearly see that two of the teased models are SUVs, which indicates that they might be the new Hyundai Tucson and Santa Fe. Although currently not offered by HSDM, both models are no stranger to the Malaysian market, with several previous iterations available before.

Fourth-gen (NX4) Hyundai Tucson SUV

Starting with the smaller of the two, the Tucson is Hyundai’s C-segment SUV fighter that is set to rival the likes of Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. In its latest iteration, the fourth-gen Tucson features the same Parametric Jewel front fascia as both the Palisade and Creta, albeit sporting a more rounded and curved body shape.

Globally, the Tucson is offered with a plethora of powertrain options, ranging from standard petrol ICEs to series-parallel hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and even diesel. For its previous iteration, HSDM offers the Tucson in both the nat-asp 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged engine options. Hence, it is possible that HSDM will bring at least two engine options for the NX4-gen Tucson, or even one electrified one, too.

Fourth-gen (TM) Hyundai Sante Fe 2021 MY Facelift

Moving on to the Sante Fe, this D-segment SUV is now in its fourth-gen reincarnation, where it already received a mid-life refresh back in 2021. This heavily-facelifted Santa Fe also features a slew of powertrain options, with the previous model getting both the 2.2-litre diesel and the 2.4-litre petrol one for the Malaysian market.

Visually, the 2021MY Santa Fe features similar design language as the pre-facelift Palisade, sporting hexagonal front grille design, as well as T-shaped LED DRLs that mask the actual headlamps themselves. Also featuring a seven-seat layout, the Sante Fe will position itself as a lower market version of Hyundai’s three-row SUVs, with its bigger and more luxurious sibling, the Palisade, taking the flagship, top-of-the-line crown.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV

The third vehicle teased is very likely to be the Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV, thanks to the obvious curvy and rounded silhouette. This award-winning, funky-looking ‘streamliner’ EV will sit alongside both the Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric in HSDM’s all-electric fleet.

Said curvy silhouette is not just for show, as the Ioniq 6 possesses a drag coefficient rate of only 0.21, which helps to further extend its 77.4-kWh battery pack lifespan, giving it a claimed maximum EV range of 610 KM (WLTP). And just like its chunky sibling, the Ioniq 6 also underpins Hyundai’s proprietary E-GMP EV platform with 800-volt electrical architecture.

So folks, which of these three new Hyundai models are you looking forward to the most? Will it be the funky-looking Ioniq 6 EV? Or the SUV twins of the Tucson and Santa Fe? As always, hit the comments below with your choice(s).