Hyundai’s South Korean arm has released the first
official images and details of the new generation Santa Fe. Coming with a
styling inspired by some of the brand’s latest vehicles, including the Kona and
Nexo, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe features a bold front end with a large grille
flanked by the slim headlights.
The interior of the SUV looks entirely new as well,
compared to the current generation. It gets an entirely new dashboard with a
redesigned center console and a floating-style infotainment system, with
Hyundai making claims of “premium quality” and “class leading roominess”.
Part of the instrument cluster appears to be
digital, although we cannot tell for sure from the image, but looking at some
of the equipment reveals the dual-tone leather trim, multi-function steering
wheel, rear air vents, electric mirrors, and dual-zone climate control.
Hyundai says the 2019 Santa Fe features smartphone
connectivity, smartphone wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink, and
voice recognition that can be activated using the special button placed on the
steering wheel.
Moreover, the brand’s rival against the likes of the
Nissan X-Trail/Rogue also benefits from a host of driver assistance systems
such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane departure
assistance, driver warning, frontal collision avoidance, and others.
The fourth-generation of the Santa Fe is 4,770 mm long, with a width of 1,890 mm which represents an
increase of around 70 mm and 10 mm respectively, and a longer wheelbase, though,
Hyundai doesn’t disclose how much.
In South Korea, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will be
available with three different engines: the 2.0-liter gasoline, and 2.0-liter
and 2.2-liter diesels, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s unknown
yet whether other transmissions and engines will become available in the
future, but the automaker says the SUV “is the first Hyundai to be equipped
with an electronic four-wheel drive system (HTRAC] that actively controls the
driving force according to the drive mode”.
Pricing will start from 28.9 million won, which is
equivalent to US$ 26,512 at the current exchange rates, whereas the range-topping
model will set its future buyers back from 36.8 million won (US$ 33,760). By
comparison, the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe can be had from US$ 29,350 in the United
States.
The European version of the SUV will have its world
premiere in a month from now, at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in March.
