Despite a recent upgrade to the current model, the all-new fourth-generation 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is due to be revealed soon – perhaps at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show – but that hasn’t stopped Hyundai from teasing the car with two official sketches of what the car will look like.
Whilst not completely accurate of what the 2019 Santa Fe will look like, the sketches show the look that Hyundai is attempting for its new large SUV. Unlike the current generation model, which is sold in two forms worldwide, the next Santa Fe will only be offered in one form and as such will be larger to accommodate for the North American market.
The two sketches released by Hyundai show the front and rear ends of the 2019 Santa Fe. They follow on from an official side view shot of the car, and show the car’s styling influence from other Hyundais such as the Kona and i30. The Kona’s dual-headlight arrangement has followed on to the Santa Fe, though in a classier and more conventional layout – one with Audi-like upper lights that will most likely form part of the car’s daytime running light arrangement.
The new Hyundai ‘cascade’ corporate grille features proudly at the front, with an Infiniti-like lower air intake. Interestingly, the actual headlight units appear to have two separate beam positions – possibly for low and high beam headlights. Underneath sit foglamps, and even a skid plate mounted low.
The side and rear of the Santa Fe follow the sculpted and muscular theme set by the current model – the creases are reminiscent of the Skoda Kodiaq, whilst the tailights resemble the Lexus NX. The wheel arches, even in this dramatised sketch, are large and give off a rugged look. The rear features many levels down to the bumper – with the boot opening appearing to be quite wide and low in its opening.
Like the Kona and its Kia Sportage cousin, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe appears to have separate reversing lighting set low on the car’s bumper. Like the front, the rear also features a low-mounted skid plate – giving a clue to the car’s light off-road ambition.
Not much else is known about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe. It’s likely to sit on the same platform as the recently updated Kia Sorento, potentially using the same 2.2-litre turbo diesel drivetrain. Other drivetrains are not yet known, though the same 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine that’s used in the current model is likely to feature in some markets, with potentially the 2.0-litre turbo petrol that’s used in the Sonata featuring as well. The new Santa Fe is also claimed to feature some new safety equipment for the brand, including reverse autonomous emergency braking and a world-first rear occupant alert, which warns drivers of rear passengers upon exiting the vehicle.
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will be revealed in the first half of 2018, with Australian sales likely to commence before the end of the year.
Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for news and reviews regarding the Hyundai Santa Fe.