It’s not the car you think it is. It is actually the brand new Hyundai Santa Fe. Taking a very radical departure from its predecessor, this fifth-generation, boasts of a new, unashamedly boxy style. The boxy style is the result of prioritizing a wider tailgate opening, and using big data to help conceive an outdoors oriented SUV based on current outdoor lifestyle trends. Hyundai calls this the “Open For More” concept, which has produced a wider body to maximize space for passengers and loads. The result is the current all-new Santa Fe that offers plenty of space for and style for both urban and outdoor drives.

Bold SUV typology

Besides the very obvious new boxy form, the new Santa Fe also features unique design features to make it stand out. At first glance, a boxy body may not seem to aid aerodynamics, yet Hyundai has given special care to limit the coefficient drag with features like angled side mirrors, active air flaps in both the top and bottom of the front bumper, skid plates on the front and rear bumpers and a spoiler at the rear.

H-shaped elements are evident all-throughout the exterior such as the LED horizontal lamp with daytime running lights (DRL), front bumper garnish and radiator grille, as well as rear taillights. This motif is a reinterpretation of Hyundai’s ‘H’ emblem made to broadcast the Santa Fe’s new design identity. Seen from the side, the Santa Fe’s wheel arches are coupled with 21-inch black ink wheels.

Above is a bridge-type roof rail, incorporated alongside the dual sunroof, for mounting accessories or additional storage. For easier access to this, there’s a hidden C-Pillar Assist Handle hidden behind a panel. It can handle up to 200-kg to accommodate a wide variety of users getting up and down.

A space experience

The Santa Fe comes with a refined and upscale interior. Like the exterior, ‘H’ emblems are carried over to the inside specifically the front dashboard’s mood lights and aircon-vents and the stitching of the seats. 

The driver’s seat features a 12.3-inch panoramic curved display for the instrument cluster and infotainment screen. To the left of it is a fingerprint recognition system that quicky deploys the user’s saved vehicle settings like steering and seat position as well as a personalized infotainment system. 

The passenger side of the dashboard has a UV-C sterilization tray on top of the glove box. Since the Santa Fe was conceptualized during the pandemic, this has been retained for the users’ health and sanitation. 

At the center of the dash is the full-touch climate control panel. The bottom of the center console boasts of a dual wireless charging pad. There are also conventional charging means, with as many as 6 USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket. 

Underneath the center consol is additional storage. The standard armrest / storage in between the front seats is a bi-directional (can be opened from both ends) console box with a lower sliding tray and a removable divider.

Designed to be versatile, the interior comes with fully-foldable second and third row seats to repurpose it as a cargo bed whether for groceries, home projects, sports and recreation, or camping trips. The front passenger seat even has side buttons to allow second row passengers to adjust the seat and create more space.

Power to explore

Powering the Santa Fe is a 2.5-liter engine, mated to an 8-speed transmission. The powertrain in the top-of-the-line model produces a maximum output of 281-Ps and 422-Nm of torque. There’s no diesel option this time around as Hyundai is also pursuing lower carbon emissions. 

Selecting a gear is easy thanks to the column-type shift by wire system. Simply twist the tip upward or downward to select Drive or Reverse. Park is selected by the button at the tip.

In addition, there are a total of eight drive modes that can be selected: Normal, Eco, Sport, Smart, Auto, Sand, Mud and Snow. These drive and terrain settings can be adjusted based on user preference on the engine power map, transmission patterns, stability control and braking.

The top-of-the-line Santa Fe is a full-time all-wheel drive vehicle. It comes with Hyundai Traction (HTRAC), the brand’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, as well as a Downhill Brake Control, that supports sudden changes in weather or difficult terrains. 

Comprehensive safety

As expected from Hyundai’s new lineup of vehicles, the Santa Fe is also packed when it comes to safety. Apart from the driver, passenger, side, and curtain airbags, coming as standard as well is the brand’s suite of safety features called the Hyundai SmartSense. 

SmartSense includes advanced driver assist functions such as the Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Following and Keeping, Blindspot View Monitor, Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance, Parking Distance Warning, Manual Speed Limit, Rear Occupant Alert and Surround View Monitor. These have been placed to help reduce user fatigue and reinforce confidence of users on daily commutes or weekend trips.

“This model holds a special place in Hyundai’s history books as it is actually our first ever in-house SUV. It has been serving as the centerpiece of the brand’s growing SUV portfolio and has sold over million units as well as gained a loyal following globally. The wait is over, we are excited to be offering the much-anticipated All-New Santa Fe to our Filipino customers,” said Dongwook Lee, President of HMPH. 

Price and variants

The new Santa Fe is available in three variants. It starts with the 2.5 GLS 4x2 priced at P2,410,000. In the middle is the 2.5 GLS AWD, priced at P2,540,000. Both variants come with a non-turbo 2.5-liter engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The top-of-the-line is the 2.5T Calligraphy AWD priced at P3,100,000. This model features the most powerful 2.5-liter turbo paired with an 8-speed dual clutch automatic and all-wheel drive as standard. As an added bonus, buyers of this model have exclusive Earthy Brass Matte, Terracotta Orange, and Ocado Green Pearl colors to choose from. It is also offered with a unique Black Ink or Forest Green (indent) interior upholstery color. 

The all-new Santa Fe is now on sale in the Philippines, starting today. A hybrid trim will be made available by the second half of the year. The full specifications for the Santa Fe can be found at the Hyundai Motor Philippines’ website. 

The Santa Fe will be a part of the Hyundai Mobility Experience tour, which resumes this coming March 22 to 24 at Ayala Malls Glorietta in Makati City before heading to other cities outside Metro Manila.