by The updated Hyundai Santa Fe is gradually losing its camouflage, revealing changes in the front and rear design, as well as new lighting. The model is expected to receive an updated infotainment system and, possibly, a new hybrid powertrain with an extended driving range.
Exterior design changes
In the first five months of the year, the Hyundai Santa Fe became the third most popular car of the brand in the US, ahead of the updated Palisade. The upcoming facelift could further boost sales.
Spy photographers have repeatedly captured the model, but the camouflage is gradually disappearing. The latest prototype no longer has the black fabric covering the front part.
More details: Hyundai develops a non-standard approach for the 2027 Santa Fe
Thanks to this, the new front part of the crossover can be seen better. It features centrally located headlights that abandon the daytime running light graphic in the shape of the letter “H,” characteristic of the current model. Instead, the DRLs have been reimagined as a vertical strip on the outer edges.
Other changes are hard to spot, but the three-row crossover appears to have a taller radiator grille. Familiar air intakes and a more curved bumper are also visible.
The profile remains as angular as before, complemented by geometric wheel rims and an updated rear part. The latter features a new bumper, vertical taillights, and an updated tailgate.
Interior and technology
The interior remains more mysterious, but we will likely see an updated dashboard and a new infotainment system, Pleos Connect. The latter debuted in the updated Grandeur with a 17-inch display, though the new Elantra offers smaller 12.9- and 14.6-inch variants.
Powertrains
Engine options are likely to remain unchanged and will include a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 277 hp (207 kW / 281 PS) and 311 lb-ft (421 Nm) of torque. It should be joined by a hybrid 1.6-liter turbo engine with 231 hp (172 kW / 234 PS) and 271 lb-ft (367 Nm) of torque. There are also rumors about a new extended-range version, but little is known about it.
The Hyundai Santa Fe update is a logical step to maintain the model’s competitiveness in the market, where it is already showing good results. The design changes, especially to the front part, make the crossover more modern, and the potential introduction of a new infotainment system and an extended-range hybrid version could attract a wider audience. This is particularly important amid growing competition in the three-row crossover segment, where technology and efficiency play a key role.
