Hyundai Santa Fe revealed at Geneva Motor Show 2018

The Korean automotive manufacturer Hyundai has revealed the 2019 Santa Fe at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show. The fourth-generation Santa Fe is inspired by the Kona compact SUV and has a sharper and aggressive stance. It will be launched in the European market later this year. Packed with new features and refreshed interiors the SUV will be available in both five-seat and seven-seat options.

The 2019 Santa Fe will offer two petrol and one diesel engine options. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 183bhp of power, while the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol churns out 230bhp. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel induces 188bhp of power. All the powertrains are matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission that powers all-four wheels. The new Santa Fe gets automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning, and blind spot warning for safety. Moreover, there is a sensor to detect and alert the driver about occupants in the rear seat. Further on, it also stops the doors from opening in case there is an object, pedestrian, vehicle or cyclist approaching towards the vehicle.

Inside, the new Santa Fe features satellite navigation and Android Auto functionality along with premium upholstery, multi-zone climate control and wireless charging. The vehicle comes up with a longer wheelbase which offers more room for the occupants. The electric front seats can be adjusted to 10 different positions. The second-row legroom has increased by 38mm and the third row gets an increased 22mm headroom.

The cabin is functional and more premium than the old one. The clean dashboard is dominated by a seven-inch infotainment screen. The single-pod digital instrument cluster is new and offers a host of information. Hyundai says the new Santa Fe offers a best-in-class safety package and industry-first safety features. The Hyundai SmartSense active safety and passive driving assistance is a part of the package. The new Santa Fe has grown in size and is now 4,770mm long and is 1,890mm wide and 1,676mm tall. The wheelbase has grown to 2,765 mm because of which the overall passenger space has increased to 3,134 litres.

The new Hyundai Santa Fe adopts the design language for the SUVs from the newcomer Kona. The cascading grille is present with the sleek and two-tiered headlights. The front fascia is busy and contemporary yet carries the old classic Hyundai design language. Hyundai calls it the ‘Composite Light’ design in which the LED DRLs are placed on top of the LED headlights. Though the profile of the Korean off-roader remains the same, the rear is now more stylish with Sonata-like tail lights. The rear bumper gets skid plates and the subtle little spoiler on top amplifying the flair of the SUV.

Hyundai will also launch a long-wheelbase version of the Santa Fe later. The Santa Fe will give a run for the money to the Chevrolet Equinox, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.  

Hyundai showcased the all-new generation Santa Fe in Seoul, South Korea some time back. The carmaker’s flagship SUV has entered into its fourth generation now and grows bigger, better and more contemporary than the outgoing car. The production of all-new Santa Fe will start later this year and go on sale thereafter.

The Santa Fe wasn’t able to attain much response from the Indian passenger car buyers. Hyundai might still come up with the flagship SUV in the country but there is no chance of it happening soon.