At the dawn of the 21st Century, Hyundai unveiled the Santa Fe as their very first foray into the SUV segment. It was a plucky compact crossover in its original iteration, meant to be a capable and affordable starter for drivers across all demographics. Over the years, it’s established itself as one of the most versatile vehicles available, and it’s served as a bellwether for the booming SUV trend that dominates the automotive landscape today.
Now, the Santa Fe has grown up.
The recently unveiled fifth-gen version is bigger, more capable, and sports an eye-catching new look unlike any Hyundai you’ve ever seen. We can’t wait to get into all the killer new features, so let’s dive right in.
A Familiar Selection
Much like the 2023 model, the all-new Santa Fe will be available in five trim levels for the 2.5L Turbo powertrain:
- Hyundai Santa Fe SE
- Hyundai Santa Fe SEL
- Hyundai Santa Fe XRT
- Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
- Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy
The standard gas engine edition is slated to be available in March. The 2024 Santa Fe Hybrid, which features a 1.6L direct injected hybrid turbo engine, will arrive shortly after in the spring of 2024.
Despite the fact that the Hyundai Santa Fe trim selection remains similar for the new generation, everything else is quite different.
A Bold New Style
Upon seeing the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, you’ll notice the transformation almost instantly—even our fellow colleagues at the dealership hardly recognize it, and we mean that in the best way possible.
The overall design strikes a balance between elegant metropolitan cruiser, and trail-ready adventuremobile. Hyundai has chosen to forgo the soft contours of yesteryear in favor of a more angular, commanding vibe. The A-pillars have been straightened, and the blacked-out rear pillars give the impression of wraparound windows with stunning views. The wheelbase has been widened and extended, and the body sits noticeably higher.
From a head-on vantage point, the rectangular lines could almost be called intimidating, which is frankly something we never thought we’d say about the Santa Fe. The H-motif headlights and grille subtly echo the brand’s signature logo, and the sideview mirrors have been given a boxier definition. Hyundai says that, despite its larger proportions, aerodynamic drag has actually been reduced by 11% thanks to exterior air shutters and smooth routing.
Viewing from the sides, we see that the wheel wells and accent cladding continue the straight-line design. The cargo rails sit higher for better ease of use, and they extend nearly the full length of the roofline. There’s also a concealed exterior handle built into the C-pillars to help access cargo stored up top. Meanwhile, the rear profile complements the front. The liftgate is almost six inches wider than the previous model, and the end extends past the back wheels to make plenty of room for the absolutely cavernous cargo area.
11 exterior colors will be available at launch, as well as multiple brand-new wheel designs.
An Interior That’s Open for More
Perhaps the biggest bombshell Hyundai dropped is that the Santa Fe is now standard with three rows. Yes, you read that right.
Thanks to the extended wheelbase, the interior dimensions have increased dramatically, allowing for fully foldable seating for up to seven. The third row wasn’t just thrown in as an afterthought, either; Hyundai promises best-in-class legroom, as well as improved head room across the board. It also has more than four full cubic feet of additional cargo capacity compared to the previous year. In terms of pure real estate, one of the best family SUVs has just gotten undeniably better.
When designing the 2024 Santa Fe, Hyundai started in an interesting place: the liftgate. In their presentation at the LA Auto Show, Hak Soo Ha, Head of Hyundai Design Center America, said they thought of the liftgate as “more than an entry point to the vehicle, [but] an opening to the world.” In keeping with this ethos, the interior of the Santa Fe was envisioned as a mobile terrace to facilitate spending time outdoors with loved ones. Not only is it perfect for all the usual SUV activities like family road trips and grocery runs, but also for camping, tailgating, drive-in movies, and much more.
The predominant horizontal and vertical line scheme and H-motif on the outside continue to the interior design. Inside, it boasts a ton of cool features like a floating console for more space to stow belongings and a large center storage bin with an industry-first double hinge that allows access from the back seat. Second row passengers also enjoy a dedicated rear storage drawer, and the Santa Fe has available USB chargers in every row.
Tech features abound as well. At the core of it all, we find a first-in-class curved panoramic display, which measures 12.3 inches diagonal. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard equipment. Other available features include dual wireless device charging, and front row relaxation seats, which recline and deploy an extendable leg rest at the push of a button.
A New Focus on Capability
The Santa Fe is more outdoor-ready than ever before with the newly revamped XRT trim. This special Santa Fe includes a number of exclusive design features like dark chrome trimming and roof rail cross bars, which lend to the new model’s already imposing appearance.
It isn’t just about looks, though. Hyundai has listened to the masses of fans who’ve asked for more off-road capable vehicles, and they’ve delivered. The 2024 Santa Fe XRT comes with 30-inch all-terrain tires and lifted suspension, which offer nearly an inch and a half of extra ground clearance compared to the base model, creating a more dramatic approach and departure angles to facilitate trail running.
In addition, the XRT’s maximum towing capacity is increased to 4,500 pounds, allowing you to tow trailers, boats, and dirt bikes with confidence.
A Continued Commitment to Safety
Over the years, the Hyundai marquee has become synonymous with the very best in safety and driver assistance features, and the 2024 Santa Fe is no exception.
All of the classic Hyundai SmartSense features are present and accounted for, including forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic avoidance, front and rear parking distance aid, surround view monitor, remote parking assist, and more. In addition to the now standard driver attention warning, Hyundai has implemented a new Forward Attention Warning, which utilizes an infrared camera to detect the driver’s line of sight and issue a warning if it detects drifting. All of these features ensure that the new model will be among the safest midsize SUVs yet.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is Almost Here
To say we’re impressed with the all-new Santa Fe is an understatement, and we simply can’t wait to see it on our lot. If you’re looking for your next family adventure vehicle, give us a call at (786) 623-4261 to get in on the action when the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe goes on sale in Miami.
