It’s only been 24 months since the current
Hyundai Santa Fe was unveiled to the world with a dramatic new look that’s
since spread across the Hyundai range. Despite this, the South Korean automaker
is readying a facelift and Carscoops spy photographers recently snapped it undergoing
winter testing.
This prototype is covered in thick
camouflage and as such, much of its design is hidden from view. Peeking through
the body cladding across the front fascia is a large grille similar in design to
the grille of the current Santa Fe. It also appears as though the updated Santa
Fe will retain the split headlight design of the current model but some minor
tweaks will be made to the lights.
As for the rear, it is virtually
impossible to decipher exactly what adjustments will be made but it’s not hard
to guess the type of changes. Like virtually all mid-life facelift models that
launch these days, expect to see modified taillights and a new rear bumper.
Other than that, the refreshed Hyundai Santa Fe should look largely identical
to the outgoing one.
A number of new powertrains are expected
for the facelifted model including various hybrid and plug-in hybrid options
but specifics remain scarce at the moment. In the United States, the existing
Santa Fe is sold with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 185 hp and
returning 25 MPG over the combined cycle as well as a 2.0-liter turbocharged
four-cylinder pumping out 235 hp and rated at 24 mpg combined.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
is likely to be retained but the future of the aging 2.4-liter four-cylinder is
unclear. In Australia last year, the 2.4-liter was dropped from the Santa Fe
range and replaced with a 3.5-liter V6 developing 276 hp and 336
Nm. Given the existence of the Palisade that has a V6, we don’t expect to see
this engine offered stateside.
