2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Surfaces In Korea With Kona Looks (Updated)

Hyundai’s South Korean arm has released the first official images and details of the new generation Santa Fe.

Coming with a styling inspired by some of the brand’s latest vehicles, including the Kona and Nexo, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe features a bold front end with a large grille flanked by the slim headlights.

The interior of the SUV looks entirely new as well, compared to the current generation. It gets an entirely new dashboard with a redesigned center console and a floating-style infotainment system, with Hyundai making claims of “premium quality” and “class leading roominess”.

Part of the instrument cluster appears to be digital, although we cannot tell for sure from the image, but looking at some of the equipment reveals the dual-tone leather trim, multi-function steering wheel, rear air vents, electric mirrors, and dual-zone climate control.

Hyundai says the 2019 Santa Fe features smartphone connectivity, smartphone wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink, and voice recognition that can be activated using the special button placed on the steering wheel.

Moreover, the brand’s rival against the likes of the Nissan X-Trail/Rogue also benefits from a host of driver assistance systems such as forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane departure assistance, driver warning, frontal collision avoidance, and others.

The fourth-generation of the Santa Fe is 4,770mm (187.8 in.) long, with a width of 1,890mm (74.4 in.) which represents an increase of around 70mm and 10mm respectively, and a longer wheelbase, though, Hyundai doesn’t disclose how much.

In South Korea, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will be available with three different engines: the 2.0-liter gasoline, and 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter diesels, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

It’s unknown yet whether other transmissions and engines will become available in the future, but the automaker says the SUV “is the first Hyundai to be equipped with an electronic four-wheel drive system (HTRAC] that actively controls the driving force according to the drive mode”.

Pricing will start from 28.9 million yuan, which is equivalent to $26,512 at the current exchange rates, whereas the range-topping model will set its future buyers back from 36.8 million yuan ($33,760). By comparison, the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe can be had from $29,350 in the United States.

The European version of the SUV will have its world premiere in a month from now, at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Post has been updated with new information and high-resolution images