The design of the new Hyundai Santa Fe is definitely daring, but how does it look from up close?
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by Brad Anderson
3 hours ago
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We think Hyundai’s designers have done an excellent job over the past 5 years or so, creating cars that a bold, unique, and not afraid to show a little personality. However, we’re not so convinced of the latest-generation Santa Fe.
Earlier this week, the new-age Santa Fe was unveiled and it immediately created an online frenzy. In fact, our original post on it has generated well over 150 comments. Many think that it shares traits with the Land Rover Defender 130 and we agree. From some angles, it looks quite cool, but to this writer’s eyes, it is the rear end that’s the major letdown. Does it look any better in person?
Recently, a Korean Instagram page by the name of Shorts_Car spotted a new Santa Fe in an undercover parking garage. It is clearly a prototype as evidenced by the black front bumper and rocker panels but with most of the body finished in a shade of gloss white, the SUV doesn’t appear quite as jarring as we first thought. For example, the flared wheel arches are quite as pronounced once light starts to reflect off them.
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Read: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Is A Bold SUV That’s Not Afraid To Be Different
The same cannot be said about the Santa Fe’s rear-end. The overly boxy shape still doesn’t sit right with us and we may never understand why Hyundai’s designers have placed the taillights so low on the fascia. They are so low that they connect with the lower portion of the rear wheel arches, leaving a huge space between the base of the rear window and the lights. Will it grow on us and look better in person? It’s possible but we’re not holding out hope.
One aspect of the new Santa Fe that we are fond of is the cabin. It has been entirely redesigned and has new displays for the infotainment system and gauge cluster. There is also a very wide transmission tunnel and center console that includes a hidden storage area and two wireless charging pads. Hyundai has also kept plenty of physical buttons and dials for important functions, like the drive modes, cameras, parking sensors, and menu buttons for the infotainment display.
