Photos of what appears to be the next generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe have been circulating widely on the web in recent days.
The Hyundai SUV seen in the various photos is radically different from the current Santa Fe with its square silhouette and robust look. However, this is not unusual for the Korean manufacturer, known for starting from a clean slate. That's exactly why we believe it is the next generation of the model.
The current generation of the Santa Fe has been on the market since 2018, with its last update dating back to 2020. Therefore, it is quite logical that a new generation of the model will enter the market in 2024.
A Calculated Transformation
In recent years, new models emerging in the midsize SUV category have featured a square silhouette and enhanced off-road capabilities. The Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, and Honda Pilot are just a few examples among many others. In short, Hyundai would be crazy not to take advantage of this wave of popularity for these two specific characteristics, and that's what inspired the transformation of the Santa Fe in my opinion. One standout feature is the H-shaped headlights, which will give the Santa Fe a unique personality. Perhaps we might even see an extreme off-road version.
A few interior images have also started circulating on the web, and we can see a wide screen similar to what is found in the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 models.
As for the mechanical aspect of the Korean manufacturer's SUV, I believe we shouldn't expect many changes since the current lineup is already comprehensive and functioning very well.
Master of Marketing
The Santa Fe entered the market in 2000 and quickly established itself as one of the most popular models of the brand, as well as in its category. It's fair to say that its combination of price and size has always been advantageous, and that remains the case today. The Santa Fe is a midsize SUV, but its price range is more akin to that of a compact SUV. That's what we call getting more for your money, and many buyers have understood that.
Hyundai listens to its customers, and the Korean manufacturer meticulously follows market trends. In short, all this to say that if the new Hyundai model observed earlier this month is indeed the next-generation Santa Fe, the model is likely to experience a significant surge in popularity with such a look.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
