Controversial design fixed! 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe spied testing in Australia ahead of Toyota Kluger rival’s launch

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Hyundai is readying a facelifted Santa Fe seven-seat SUV and new-generation Tucson mid-size SUV for launch, possibly later this year. 

Chasing Cars spotted camouflaged versions of the new Tucson and Santa Fe while the pair were undergoing hot weather durability testing in the Victorian High Country. 

While the Hyundai Santa Fe has performed outstandingly in road tests and took home the win at Chasing Cars car of the year, not all is well for the seven-seater. 

In Australia, Hyundai’s new model was outsold by the older and smaller Kia Sorento as well as the Toyota Kluger in 2025. As good as the new car is, here and abroad its controversial styling seems to be hurting its appeal. 

What’s changing for the 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe?

We know the pictured vehicle is an updated Santa Fe for a few reasons. The familiar alloy wheels have Hyundai’s ‘H’ logos on the centre caps and the number plate reveals this car is a Hyundai ‘MX5’ evaluation vehicle, weighing 1906kg and registered from 14 Jan 2026.

Much of what’s underneath the metal will remain, including basic proportions with the same A-pillar and roof-line and carryover mirrors. 

Korean sources suggest it will be one of the most radical mid-life updates and the heavy camouflage seems to confirm this. There’s padding and black covering the bonnet, lights, rear end and even the doors, which is rare for a mid-life change. 

Expect the Santa Fe to move towards Hyundai’s ‘Art of Steel’ design language, as shown on the boxy Nexo hydrogen fuel cell EV.

What we can see are what appear to be all-new lighting details, including headlights mounted way out on the side like a Kia Tasman — and losing their H-shaped LEDs — and fresh, vertically-arranged taillights. 

This may be to address the most controversial feature of the current, those low-mounted, horizontal taillights. 

We did not get a close look inside, but previous spy images have shown a new, squared-off steering wheel and screen layout in the front of Hyundai’s seven seater. 

It was obvious the Santa Fe we saw was either hybrid, or a PHEV, as it took off on electric power before the petrol engine could be heard up the steep hill. 

There are no major changes expected under the bonnet for the Santa Fe, with the 1.6-litre four-cylinder-based hybrid producing 172kW and 367Nm likely to continue. 

Petrol vehicles are expected to ditch the eight-speed dual-clutch for a torque converter automatic based on customer feedback. 

The new-look Santa Fe is expected to arrive for the 2027 model year, so expect a reveal towards the end of this year. 

Why is Hyundai testing cars in Australia?

Hyundai, along with related companies Kia and Genesis, have long seen value in Australian ride and handling tuning for their vehicles, but this is not that. 

Instead, there is currently a fleet of 20 Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles in Australia for summer durability testing. 

Chasing Cars understands the combination of high altitude and hot weather found in the Victorian alpine region in summer is of particular interest to Korean engineers when it comes to turbo petrol engines. 

Additionally, the Australian time zone lines up better with South Korea than, say, Death Valley in California, USA.