Hyundai's all-new Santa Fe to hit Korean market mid-August

Hyundai Motor Co.'s all-new Santa Fe will finally hit the market with presales to take place this Saturday in South Korea, where the mid-size sport utility vehicle will be officially available to take home on Aug. 16, the company said on Thursday.

The fifth-generation Santa Fe will be available in North America and Europe in the first half of 2024, the Korean auto giant added.

The company today finally showcased the real model of the all-new Santa Fe at an offline showroom while releasing its digital world premiere film to show off the new SUV’s more detailed specifications.

After successfully making buzz with its wild design since its first revelation a month ago, Hyundai Motor has come up with a plan to sell 28,000 units of the new boxy Santa Fe on home turf in 2023 and 135,000 units in North America in 2024.

The new Santa Fe comes in a fully revamped design for the first time in five years. The fourth generation hit roads in 2018.

Since its first debut 20 years ago, it has sold about 1.4 million units.

The All New Santa Fe will be offered in two powertrain options -- the 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline model with a 281 horsepower and 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid model with a 180 horsepower. The company has decided not to release its diesel model.

Their price information will be disclosed later.

RADICAL TRANSFORMATION

With the latest makeover, the new Santa Fe looks completely different from its predecessors that maintained a curvy body.

The new boxy Santa Fe is longer than the previous versions as its wheelbase is 50 millimeters longer than the fourth generation. With a shorter front overhang, the newbie boasts a roomier interior.

The revamped model also comes with 21-inch wheels, 1 inch bigger than the biggest wheel size on the old model.

Its long and solid body makes it look like a full-size SUV or even a van. It actually offers a third row in the six-seat variant even though it is a mid-size SUV, the company said.

The new version is also powered with several comfort and convenience features, including Ergo Motion seats, power-reclining second-row independent seats and 6.6-inch full-touch climate control display.

It sports the Panoramic Curved Display with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and information system.

SAFETY COMES FIRST

Its abundant convenience features, however, do not undermine the safety features.

The All New Santa Fe comes with a host of proactive driver assistance and safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, Lane Following Assist 2, New Driver Attention Warning and Driver Monitoring System, which analyzes a driver’s vital signs to ensure safe driving, the company explained.

It is also fitted with navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2.

In global markets, the new model will be available in 10 colors, including Abyss Black Pearl, Terracotta Orange, Cyber Sage Pearl and Pebble Blue Pearl, the company said.

In North America, it will be offered in 11 colors, including Phantom Black, Ultimate Red Metallic and Rockwood Green Pearl.

Hyundai Motor hopes to regain ground in the burgeoning midsize SUV market with the new Santa Fe.

It remains to be seen whether the all-new Santa Fe will revive its old glory as a popular crossover SUV at home.

Some people say the new model conveys the beauty of simplicity and sleekness as an urban adventure car, while others call its redesign too “radical” or “wild.”

“The All-New Santa Fe’s bold and powerful identity, which encompasses the boundless outdoors and urban landscape will establish an unrivaled presence in the mid-sized SUV market,” Hyundai Motor President and Chief Executive Chang Jae-hoon was quoted as saying in a company press release on Thursday.

Write to Nan-Sae Bin at binthere@hankyung.com

Sookyung Seo edited this article.