Hyundai has released the first official pictures and details
of the daringly designed new Santa Fe SUV.
Along with cutting-edge new infotainment and safety
technologies, the fourth-generation mid-sized SUV adopts a bold new look, partially inspired by the Kona
compact SUV and likely to be seen on other forthcoming Hyundai SUVs. Particularly
striking is the front end with its split level headlights and large ‘cascading’
grille that replaces the signature hexagonal-shaped one.
Hyundai has yet to release a proper image of the Santa Fe's back end, but an official design sketch released last week shows a more aggressive interpretation of
current Hyundai design language.
Hyundai has announced that the new Santa Fe will be
available in three engine derivatives: a 2.0 turbodiesel, a 2.2 turbodiesel,
and a 2.0 turbo petrol. Power outputs are still to be confirmed but all
versions get eight-speed automatic transmissions.
The new Santa Fe is the first Hyundai to be equipped with an
electronic four-wheel drive system. Dubbed HTRAC, it actively controls the
driving force according to the drive mode, maximising traction during bad
weather and rough road driving.
The new Santa Fe is stuffed with advanced safety features
including frontal collision avoidance, lane departure warning and a
lane-holding function. There's a feature which suggests that the driver take a
rest stop if the car detects they're getting tired by adopting a different
driving pattern than usual, and also a Safe Exit Assist that warns if a passenger is about to open a rear door into the path of an approaching vehicle, and locks the door.
The Santa Fe's redesigned interior adopts higher quality materials in a bid to move the Korean SUV upmarket.
It also acquires the latest state-of-the art
infotainment including enhanced voice recognition technology for improved
navigation convenience and accuracy. Pressing the voice recognition button on
the steering wheel and speaking "route guidance and business name"
provides a quick and easy method of getting directions to restaurants or places
of interest, and you can ask for phone text messages to be displayed on the
infotainment screen.
A 'Voice Memo' function also allows you to record spoken
words while driving, if you need to record a phone number or your next
grand idea.
Additional new tech in the Santa Fe is a smart phone
wireless charging system and Apple car play and mirror link.
Hyundai has yet to confirm local plans for the new Santa Fe
but it's likely to be launched in South Africa later this year or early in
2019.