2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Detailed – New Petrol Powertrains Plus Rugged New Concept Teased

Hyundai have released more details surrounding its new fifth-gen Santa Fe SUV.

After initially debuting its wild new and squared look last month, Korean automaker Hyundai have released a slew of new details surrounding the new fifth generation Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. Key talking points here revolve around its new powertrains, enlarged size, plus a rugged new concept.

Starting with powertrains, it appears Hyundai have dropped any diesel choices for overseas markets. The firm is opting instead to offer either a 2.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol choice alongside a 1.6-litre turbo petrol-electric hybrid alternative, the latter carried over from the outgoing fourth-gen predecessor.

Some markets will also see non-turbo petrol mills offered, meaning we could likely see the Malaysia-bound version retaining the predecessor’s 2.4-litre MPI 4-cyl petrol mill. Additionally, markets such as Europe will also see a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) choice available too.

On the powertrain front, the fifth-gen Santa Fe might not see any new diesel variants. Instead, key overseas markets will see a new 2.5-litre 4-cyl turbo plus a 1.6-litre 4-cyl petrol-electric hybrid choices.

Presently, Hyundai shows no signs of introducing any diesel options anywhere just yet. Sources online speculate that this fifth-gen Santa Fe may stand as the first in the nameplate’s history to go on sale without any oil-burning choices, but this likely depends on market region.

The new 2.5-litre mill mentioned reportedly replaces the previous model’s 3.5-litre V6 petrol offered in North America and Australia prior. Developing 277 HP and 422 NM, said mill will be paired with a new 8-speed DCT automatic transmission as well.

As for the 1.6-litre hybrid, its combustion element promises at least 177 HP and 265 NM, both managed by a 6-speed conventional automatic transmission instead. Hyundai didn’t mention a total systems output, choosing to note a claimed fuel economy of 6.5 litres/100 KM instead.

In terms of size, the fifth-gen Santa Fe now sits 60 MM longer with a wheelbase stretched by 50MM too.

Coupled with its boxy design, the growth in size also sees a much roomier cabin with increased passenger space across all three rows of seats.

In terms of size, this new fifth-gen Santa Fe has indeed grown significantly over its predecessor. It now sits 4,830 MM long with a 2,815 MM wheelbase, both marking 60 MM and 50 MM increases respectively. It also sits 1,900 MM wide now, marking a slight 10 MM increase here.

On board, this translates to a 91-litre increase in boot space to a massive 725-litre figure, and that’s with the second-row seats still up. Overall, cabin real estate has improved as a result of the extended length and width noted earlier, as well as the squared, boxy design.

Additionally, Hyundai notes that legroom in the second- and third-row seats have increased by 20 MM and 15 MM respectively, the latter also benefitting with a sizable 69 MM gain in headroom too. Furthermore, the third-row seats can now recline further too.

Fully-redesigned cabin features a new curved display module housing dual 12.3-inch digital displays - one serving as the instrument panel and the other as the infotainment touchscreen.

As previewed prior, the cabin has been fully revamped to feature a number of a new tech too. Highlights of the latter include a large curved display module housing the a 12.3-inch instrument display and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

There’s also a separate 6.6-inch dedicated climate control display and control panel, digital rear-view mirror, plus a new column-mounted gear selector. In the centre stack sits two wireless charging pads placed side-by-side, USB-C charging ports, plus oversized cupholders and an open-air storage bin.

In the centre stack sit a new separate 6.6-inch dedicated climate control interface screen. Note the widened body also enables two wireless chargers to be placed side-by-side.

Other notable equipment primed includes a host of active driver assist (ADAS) features, namely the Hyundai SmartSense suite. Included too are features like remote parking assist, surround-view camera, as well as a smartphone-based keyless entry, amongst many others.

Also teased was this Santa Fe XRT concept. While it appears ready to tackle the rough, it appears unclear if this will become a production reality.

Lastly, besides all the details mentioned above, Hyundai also teased a Santa Fe XRT Concept. Hyundai cryptically describes it as "a concept model tailored to cater [to] diverse needs of outdoor enthusiasts."

Though just a single exterior image was issued, it depicts the fifth-gen Santa Fe decked out with added hardware and bits for off-road adventures. It even includes chunkier off-road tyres shod in beefier blacked-out five-spoke wheels, an added roof rack with a spare tire, plus a ladder on the rear hatch.

Unfortunately, it remains unclear if Hyundai will turn this concept into a production reality either as an additional variant or as part of a larger official optional accessories catalogue.