Hyundai is making significant changes with the 2024 Santa Fe. The previous crossover’s curved lines and soft edges have been replaced with hard lines, right angles, and boxes, creating a more rugged and off-road ready appearance. The new Santa Fe is designed for the adventurous crowd, the weekend warrior, and the dirt-road traveler.
The biggest changes to the Santa Fe are seen in its exterior. Not only has the styling been altered, but the size has also increased. It is now slightly longer, wider, and taller than the outgoing model, firmly placing it in the midsize crossover segment. It is almost the same size as the Palisade, but Hyundai is not concerned about that.
The design process for the new Santa Fe began with a wide tailgate that can accommodate all your belongings. The taillights are positioned lower on the body, allowing for a thinner tailgate strut and a thinner tailgate housing. This design choice creates a large rear hatch opening and pays homage to SUVs of the past with low taillights. The front of the Santa Fe features the overall theme of “H,” with H-shaped elements incorporated into the headlights, light bar, and front fascia. The design gives the Santa Fe a serious and distinctive look.
On the inside, the Santa Fe offers five interior color options, including unique choices like Pecan Brown and Forest Green. The interior design echoes the clean lines and simplicity of the exterior. It resembles Hyundai’s Ioniq offerings, with features such as the “Relaxation Seat” that includes a leg rest for front-row occupants. The “H” theme continues in the cabin with the dashboard air vents, and the steering wheel features four dots representing the letter “H” in Morse code.
Hyundai has made several changes to the interior layout, including moving the gear shifter from the center console to the steering wheel column. This frees up space for two wireless charging pads and a large cubby hole. The center console also includes a 6.6-inch touchscreen climate control display with physical buttons, a welcome sight in a time when buttons are disappearing from many cars. Thanks to its longer wheelbase, the Santa Fe offers class-leading interior space and impressive legroom in the second and third rows.
In terms of power and technology, the new Santa Fe will offer two engines in the U.S. market: a 2.5-liter turbo four with around 280 horsepower and a 1.6-liter hybrid turbo producing approximately 180 horsepower. Both engines will be available with front and all-wheel drive. The Santa Fe comes with a range of advanced safety features and driver assistance technologies, including lane keeping, forward collision avoidance, and radar cruise control. It also offers a UV sanitizing tray in the interior, a unique feature that reflects the current pandemic situation. The dash features dual 12.3-inch curved displays for the gauge cluster and infotainment system, along with a rear-view mirror camera for improved visibility.
The 2024 Santa Fe includes several thoughtful touches, such as a double-hinged center console that can open to the front or rear for easy access, and a handle on the C-pillar to assist with accessing equipment on the roof. Overall, Hyundai has made significant updates to the Santa Fe, both in terms of design and features, creating a crossover that is ready for adventure.