Hyundai has
unveiled the 2019 Santa Fe in South Korea. Looking significantly more upscale
than its predecessor, the redesigned model has a bold design which mimics the
Kona. The front of the crossover is dominated by a large “cascading” grille
which is flanked by LED lights units. Moving further back, there’s gently
flowing surfaces, metallic accents and plastic body cladding.
Overall, the Santa Fe measures 4,770 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,680 mm tall with a
wheelbase that spans 2,765 mm. This means the model is 70 mm longer and 10 mm wider while the wheelbase has grown by
65 mm.
Thanks to the increased dimensions, the cargo
capacity of the five-seat model climbs from 585 liters to 625
liters. Likewise, the seven-seat model can store 130 liters of luggage behind its third row.
Sticking with the interior, the cabin is all-new and
can be equipped with a digital instrument cluster, a head-up display and a
power liftgate. Drivers will also find a high-tech infotainment system with
voice recognition technology and Apple Car Play compatibility.
An assortment of driver assistance systems will be
available and these include frontal collision avoidance, lane departure
assistance and smart cruise control with a stop and go function. Other features
include highway driving assistance and a rear collision warning system.
In South Korea, the Santa Fe will be offered with
three different engines. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 235
PS and 353 Nm of torque. The 2.0-liter diesel develops 186
PS and 402 Nm of torque, while the larger 2.2-liter unit
churns out 202 PS and 441 Nm.
All of the engines are connected to an eight-speed
automatic transmission which can be paired to an all-wheel drive system.
The Santa Fe is priced from 28.15 million won
(US$ 26,179) and Hyundai says it has already received 14,243 orders for the new
model.
