Hyundai’s restyled Santa Fe to revive SUV boom in S.Korea

South Korea’s top automaker Hyundai Motor Co. is set to release a next-generation model of its steady-seller Santa Fe SUV this quarter, leading the industry’s efforts to attract customers with new SUVs in the second half amid falling gas prices and a recovery in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Hyundai is preparing for mass production of the Santa Fe's fifth-generation version through test drives, assembly inspections and talks with labor unions ahead of its launch during the July-September period, according to industry sources on Tuesday.

The revamped Santa Fe is expected to adopt a boxier look with squarish styling, dropping the rounded edges applied to Hyundai’s recent SUVs, according to spy shots and renderings. The new Santa Fe is predicted to provide passengers more space as its wheelbase is estimated at 2,815 millimeters, about 50 mm longer than the existing model.

Hyundai plans to offer it in gasoline and hybrid powertrains, releasing a 2.5-liter gas turbo engine version, a 1.6-liter gas turbo hybrid model and a 1.6-liter gas turbo plug-in hybrid EV. The carmaker will not produce a diesel model.

The new Santa Fe is expected to revive sales of Hyundai’s cash cow SUV. Sales of the current model have dampened since company affiliate Kia Corp. unveiled the fourth- generation version of its Sorento SUV in 2020.

Hyundai has sold about 1.4 million units of the Santa Fe in South Korea since its launch in 2000, before going on to introduce second, third, and fourth-generation models in 2005, 2012 and 2018, respectively.

GENESIS GV80 COUPE, IONIQ 5 N

Hyundai’s premium brand Genesis is scheduled to launch the GV80 Coupe, a sporty luxury coupe-style SUV with a dynamic design that is expected to attract younger buyers. It unveiled the concept version at the 2023 New York Auto Show in April.

The automaker is also poised to introduce an updated model of the GV80, Genesis' first and largest SUV.

Hyundai plans a world premiere for the Ioniq 5 N, its first all-electric high-performance model, at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 13. The EV is likely to have an output of up to 600 horsepower.

The company will also unveil a facelift version of the Tucson, its compact SUV, in September.

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Kia is set to introduce a mid-generational refresh of the Sorento in the second half; some observers had predicted an imminent launch given the test drives of a camouflaged SUV on the roads.

South Korea’s No. 2 automaker was known to have made drastic changes including the layout of headlamps and body lines. Some had expected its front to resemble that of the EV9, the company’s large flagship electric SUV.

Kia’s core SUV, the Sorento beat Hyundai’s flagship large sedan Grandeur, or Azera, to become the best-selling passenger car in South Korea last year.

The company does not plan to manufacture a diesel version of the Sorento.

Kia also plans to unveil a facelift model of the Carnival, which dominates the local minivan sector with a 62.4% market share last year thanks to affordable prices and ample cabin space.

The company is likely to add a hybrid version to lure consumers who prefer fuel-efficient vehicles.

KG MOBILITY, GM KOREA

KG Mobility Co., formerly Ssangyong Motor Co., is set to showcase the Torres EVX, an electric version of its popular mid-sized SUV. The Torres EVX is the company’s first EV after Korean chemicals-to-steel conglomerate KG Group took over the automaker.

To streamline costs, the EV is equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries produced by China’s BYD. It is expected to travel up to 420 kilometers (261 miles) on a single charge, about 100 km more than the Korando e-Motion, the company’s previous EV.

GM Korea Co., a unit of General Motors Co., plans to introduce to Korea the Cadillac Lyriq powered by the Ultium EV battery platform.

The company is also scheduled to unveil a facelift model of the Chevy Trailblazer, its popular small SUV.

Among Japanese carmakers, Toyota Motor Corp. is poised to bring its global-hit hybrid car Prius, Highlander mid-sized SUV, and Alphard minivan to South Korea.

Write to Jung Dong Noh at dong2@hankyung.com
 
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.