The up to date Hyundai Santa Fe has been spied testing with a recent look forward of its anticipated arrival in showrooms someday in 2027 – and it’s saying goodbye to its controversial tail-light design.
As these spy images present, the boxy styling of the present fifth-generation Santa Fe, launched in Australia in 2024, shall be considerably revised entrance and rear, with narrower headlights and a less complicated entrance grille and bumper.
The three-row SUV may also dump its present distinctive, low-set tail-lights in favour of extra standard vertical brake lights related by a horizontal mild bar.
Per earlier spy footage of the Santa Fe, the replace will preserve the present mannequin’s core form and sharp window strains, however draw inspiration from the Artwork of Metal design language launched on the second-generation Nexo mid-size hydrogen fuel-cell SUV.
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That very same design theme will unfold to different fashions, together with the smaller Kona SUV, not too long ago noticed testing forward of its anticipated 2028 arrival.
Hyundai not too long ago mentioned it’s going to look to convey the outside styling of its automobiles into line throughout all fashions, but it’s going to nonetheless retain the distinctive id of particular person nameplates.
The facelifted Santa Fe may also convey vital cabin adjustments, with a bigger centre display screen indicating it’s going to run Hyundai’s new-generation Android Automotive-based ‘Pleos’ working system.
The automaker introduced Pleos in 2025, saying it’s going to roll out to twenty million automobiles throughout Hyundai and its luxurious Genesis model by 2030. It’s anticipated to make its debut within the subsequent i30 and Tucson, due across the identical time because the up to date Santa Fe.
Powertrains are anticipated to stay unchanged, with the doable addition of a brand new extended-range electrical car (EREV) possibility, which isn’t confirmed for Australia.
The present native lineup contains a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder hybrid with a six-speed computerized, and a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Whereas the eight-speed shall be changed with a standard computerized in some international locations following buyer complaints, Hyundai Australia has beforehand informed CarExpert it has no plans to exchange the transmission in native fashions.
The lineup of the bigger Palisade in Australia may also broaden, with new entry-level and range-topping mannequin grades as a part of a revitalised lineup within the second half of 2026.