Next-gen of Hyundai’s core SUV seems set to feed on petrol alone, with and without electric assist.

JUST a week after Hyundai New Zealand suggested the new Santa Fe might have to go without a Kiwi-favoured engine, the parent has revealed more technical detail that all but confirms this.

The 2.2-litre turbodiesel that in most recent form has delivered 148kW and 440Nm and 6.1 litres per 100km has always been a big sales contributor across three generations of this make’s second-largest (after the Palisade) and often most important car. 

The four-cylinder turbocharged unit appears to have never accounted for less than 50 percent of annual volume.

However, in revealing detail about the next generation, Hyundai headquarters in Seoul have all but affirmed that diesel is no longer in their mindset. 

This view was already suggested, but more obliquely, by Hyundai NZ staff attending last week’s national press launch of the new Kona, which sticks to petrol, petrol electric and pure electric.

Australia has been even more reliant on the diesel than NZ.

Reports from Aussie media at an event for the model in Seoul this week suggest their inquiry about the potential of the 2.2-litre featuring was all but stone-walled.

Going fully battery isn’t on the menu for new Santa Fe, however a fully petrol 2.5-litre, that will be new to Kiwis, and a refreshen of the 1.6-litre hybrid that has been here for several years certainly are.

The latter combines a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor and small lithium-ion battery, all running through a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Hyundai quotes 132kW and 265Nm as outputs specific to the engine; the current hybrid has combined total outputs of 169kW and 350Nm. 

The pure petrol, meantime, runs with an eight speed dual clutch automatic.

The look was revealed several months ago, but in a studio. Now it’s out in the street and makes even stronger impression.

As much as Santa Fe has always tended to start a new design story in each successive chapter, this new one is certainly set to stand as an especially bold departure. 

Has anything beyond the letter fonts carried over? Actually, are they still the same as previously?

Hyundai’s side of the story is that the more upright, blocky styling is intended to allow it to lean more into the off-road, adventurous parts of its personality.

“The all-new Santa Fe is an SUV that finds a perfect balance between city life and the great outdoors, handling everything from busy family itineraries to car camping adventures,” said SangYup Lee, the make’s head of design.

There’s design reference with the latest Ioniq Series cars, notably the Five. It would look comfortable parked alongside the battery-fed sports utility hatchback.

The interior design also takes cues from Ioniq, in respect to how it has the EVs’ dashboard design with that signature curved, conjoined double screen housing. A Range Rover-style steering wheel and a large open centre console with minimalist controls are also implemented.

Hyundai has impressed it has gone big on using recycled material inside. The suede headliner, floor mats and second-and-third-row seatbacks are made from recycled plastic, while the door trim covers are made from eco-friendly leatherette.

A longer wheelbase appears to add additional room to a car which, in current form, is spacious. The rear overhang has also been extended to allow a bigger boot and more seat space in the third row. The front overhang has been shortened. It’s imagined the overall length should not be all that different from the current model. But, again, details are short.

At the rear, framing a larger tailgate, is a set of H-shaped lights echoing those at the front.

Inside, Hyundai says that the Santa Fe's two rear rows of seats both fold flat to give a 'terrace-like' ambience, allowing space for work or relaxing. The space inside, says Hyundai, makes the Santa Fe ‘a scene stealer’ when it comes to "shopping, home improvement projects, sports and recreation, gardening, family outings and pet transportation.”