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Aug 23, 2023

How The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Will Set New Trends With These Clever Innovations

The new Santa Fe treads a path of function over form. But these clever functions and features could force rivals to take a closer look. The 2024 Santa Fe is the fifth generation model of Hyundai's

The new Santa Fe treads a path of function over form. But these clever functions and features could force rivals to take a closer look.

The 2024 Santa Fe is the fifth generation model of Hyundai's mid-size SUV. The boxy styling blends itself with a retro vibe that could be polarizing to most people. But there is a reason for everything. The all-new Santa Fe utilizes its boxy design to enhance functionality to the max. Hyundai’s new mid-size SUV moves away from traditional norms and could set new trends in the space of automobile design, that favors function at its core, rather than form.

The Santa Fe is positioned between the compact Tucson and the flagship Palisade in Hyundai’s range of SUVs. Its rivals, the new Honda Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee, have their work cut out. Perhaps it is also a cheaper alternative to the Land Rover Defender 110. The Santa Fe offers naturally aspirated, turbocharged, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engine options, leaving customers spoiled for choice. It also offers up to three options for gearboxes, depending on the engine. But the key innovations in engineering and design of the vehicle are what set it apart from the competition.

Related: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: How The Brand's First U.S. Crossover Evolved Over Time

The new design makes the SUV the most striking and probably the most divisive Santa Fe we have seen in the model’s history. But it definitely isn’t boring in the least. The fifth-generation Santa Fe seems to draw a lot of inspiration from the Land Rover Discovery 4. The silhouette, boxy styling does remind us of the last-gen Disco.

But the boxy design is not good for aerodynamics, so to cut drag, the Santa Fe uses active aero vents on the front bumper and side air curtains on either sides of the bumper. The door mirrors are optimized to reduce drag, and the rear spoiler also helps smoothen the air flow to achieve maximum efficiency.

The divisive styling is mainly due to the unusual, squared off rear end of the Santa Fe. The back of the SUV is almost flat and vertical, just like the Disco 4. The H-pattern tail lights are mounted low on the liftgate. The trick is that the entire rear fascia of the SUV is the trunk lid that opens up the full width of the vehicle. With the trunk lid open, the aperture is nearly 6 inches wider than the last model, which would make loading and unloading large cargo much easier. With the second and third row seats folded down, the flat floor reveals space that can even accommodate a small mattress. Also, the trunk lid, when opened to its highest position, is high enough that someone over 6 feet tall can comfortably stand underneath. Something we usually expect from the Volkswagen VW ID. Buzz.

Other innovations in the interior of the new Santa Fe are subtle but have a huge impact. For example, now that there is no manual option, the Santa Fe’s gear selector has moved from the center console to the steering column. Other manufacturers have done this for a while, but in the Santa Fe, this leads to a cleaner center console with more storage and better equipment.

Between the front two seats sits a large floating center console. It houses two wireless mobile charging pads, along with additional UBS-C outlets. The empty space below is an open storage space. The center arm rest has a large storage box, but the clever trick is that it can be opened from the front and also the back by the rear passengers, which is quite cool.

Related: Hyundai Vs Genesis: Here's The Key Differences For Car Buyers

Speaking of storage, in front of the front passenger are two more storage options. The lower glove box stays true to its traditional design. But the one above causes some intrigue. This section of the dash features a UV-C Sterilization Tray which can be used to put your phone or wallet in, for example, to kill any germs or bacteria. It is not an industry first, since we found something similar in the 2023 Genesis G90’s interior, which was a direct response to COVID-19.

The Santa Fe will be a three-row SUV. Seat configuration options would include a seven seat layout or the option of captain seats in the second row for a more plush and premium cabin. The second row captain seats have a quick recline comfort setting that Hyundai calls Relaxation Seat, it even offers a leg rest. The neat trick here, however, is that the seat comes forward with a push of a button to allow access to the third row. But for better ingress and egress, Hyundai has designed a neat grab handle on the C-Pillar. The concealed design rests flush with the body, but the flap collapses to allow you better grip to get all the way to the back.

Refining the engine line up for the new Santa Fe, Hyundai will offer four gasoline-only options. The diesels have been dropped entirely. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, making 190hp and 182 lb-ft of torque. The same engine is available with a turbo for more performance. Making up to 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, this is the most powerful engine option for the new Santa Fe, which allows the big boxy SUV to sprint to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. The naturally aspirated motor uses the 8-speed auto, while the Turbo gets an upgrade to the 8-speed twin-clutch gearbox.

The two hybrid options use the smaller 1.6-liter engines. The standard hybrid version makes 227 hp combined. The upgraded plug-in hybrid option produces 261 hp, but torque output for both motors is identical, 258 lb-ft. The hybrid versions of the 2024 Santa Fe will use the 6-speed automatic transmission. For North America, only the 2.5-Liter Turbo and the base hybrid engines will be offered. The Plug-in hybrid and naturally aspirated models will be sold overseas.

Related: How The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Looks To Seriously Shake Up American SUVs

While the design of the SUV is modern and interesting, Hyundai isn’t making any claims about the new Santa Fe’s ability when driving offroad. The more expensive Defender, or perhaps the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Honda Passport, have impressive offroad chops. The Santa Fe looks to cater to a demographic that seeks everyday practicality rather than an overland expedition.

It is probably why Hyundai has also revealed the XRT Concept. This version of an imagined Santa Fe suggests that it would be better suited to tackling challenging terrain and “versatile utility for outdoor lifestyles”. Perhaps an ideal response to rivals like the Defender or Grand Cherokee. The regular Santa Fe is scheduled to go on sale in North America in the first half of 2024. But the Korean automaker hasn't confirmed the XRT Concept’s future.

Source: Hyundai

Rahull's passion for the automobile started very early at his cousin's garage that restores vintage Ford Model As, Cadillacs and more. He then stumbled upon Formula 1 at the age of 6 and his father's cameras soon after. Life is about passions and he intends to share his through his writing and photography.