Hyundai Santa Fe 2023: bold H-pattern LED headlights revealed!

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The next-generation Hyundai Santa Fe has been spotted on the roads of South Korea with vibrant daytime running lights designed in the shape of the letter H.

Korean Car Blog has reported that the next Santa Fe will debut with a much more boxy look than before, in a similar style that is very reminiscent of the current Land Rover Defender. 

The next Santa Fe will likely compete with other large SUVs such as the related Kia Sorento, Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota Kluger. Chasing Cars expects the next-gen Santa Fe to be released in Australia in 2023.  

What we know so far about the new Santa Fe

Codenamed the “MX5”, the next Santa Fe SUV will not only look very different, but will likely offer an improved driving experience. Hybrid, diesel and petrol powertrains are expected – but not a fully-electric variant. That duty will be covered by the forthcoming Ioniq 7 three-row SUV.

In overseas regions, the fourth-generation Santa Fe is available with a plug-in hybrid and series-parallel hybrid options, however this technology is yet to find its way to Australian shores. 

What about full electric?

A fully-electric Santa Fe is not expected to be released as Hyundai is likely to assign full-EV three-row SUV duties to its upcoming Ioniq 7 battery-electric crossover.

Hyundai could shift all of its current nameplates to the Ioniq electric family with time, however for the next five to ten years, the Santa Fe name could continue in some capacity.   

The Ioniq 7 is pretty much locked in for 2023 or 2024, with Hyundai making a much bigger focus with electric SUVs from 2023 onwards. 

Chasing Cars reported earlier this year that an electric Ioniq 7 could cost around $20,000 more than the Santa Fe Highlander diesel. 

The Ioniq 7 is likely to gain a dual-motor electric setup not unlike the current Kia EV6 that has outputs of 239kW/605Nm.

What is currently offered on the Hyundai Santa Fe?

The Hyundai Santa Fe in its current fourth-generation form is powered by either a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 148kW/440Nm or a larger displacement 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine making 200kW/331Nm. 

The V6 engine is currently available only in front-wheel drive, while the petrol V6 engine is paired to Hyundai’s all-wheel drive system. 

A hybrid system could be coming, using technology already used in markets such as the United Kingdom and Europe. 

The Santa Fe is available in Europe with either a hybrid 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with a maximum combined output of 169kW. 

A plug-in hybrid version of the Hyundai Santa Fe is also available overseas, with outputs of 194kW/350Nm and has a 13.8kWh battery pack.