How has the design of Hyundai Santa Fe changed over 5 generations?

Over the past two decades, the Hyundai Santa Fe has undergone a series of design enhancements and has become an iconic model for the Korean automaker.

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Recently, Hyundai has released the first official images of the 5th generation Santa Fe with a completely redesigned look. The best way to evaluate the new generation’s transformation is to take a look back at the designs of the previous versions.

1st Generation (2001-2006)

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations first-gen-hyundai-santa-fe.jpg

Hyundai introduced the first generation Santa Fe at the 2000 Geneva Motor Show. The SUV had a decently rugged design and exuded elegance. The car had larger dimensions compared to many competitors in the segment, while also excelling in off-road capabilities.

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations first-gen-hyundai-santa-fe-1.jpg

The interior was spacious, providing enough room for 5 adult passengers along with a generous cargo space, catering to the needs of a family. Meanwhile, the car’s amenities included air conditioning, a CD player, power windows, mirrors, and sunroof.

The first generation Santa Fe went through some changes over its 5-year lifespan, receiving more powerful engine options and a significant facelift in the production process.

2nd Generation (2007-2012)

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations second-gen-hyundai-santa-fe.jpg

The 2nd generation Santa Fe adopted a more conservative design with a smaller grille and fewer body panels compared to its predecessor. Additionally, the Santa Fe was no longer the only crossover model from Hyundai at this time, as Hyundai also offered the smaller Tucson and slightly more luxurious Veracruz.

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations second-gen-hyundai-santa-fe-1.jpg

Inside the cabin, the interior was upgraded with high-quality materials and finishes, providing a more luxurious feel. At the same time, the 2nd generation Santa Fe also offered a more spacious cabin and an available third-row seat.

3rd Generation (2013-2018)

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Hyundai introduced the 3rd generation Santa Fe as the 2013 model. The car was available in a 5-seat Sport version and a long-wheelbase variant offering 7 seats.

The 3rd generation Santa Fe retained the smooth design of its predecessor, with some refinements. The car had a new hexagonal grille, sharper headlights, and larger fog lights at the lower corners.

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations third-gen-hyundai-santa-fe-1.jpg

The interior was further upgraded with a more premium feel. The 3rd generation Santa Fe was equipped with an optional 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an intuitive, user-friendly interface, enhanced voice recognition, and improved phone connectivity features.

4th Generation (2019-2023)

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations fourth-gen-hyundai-santa-fe.jpg

The 4th generation Santa Fe is still familiar to us as the car is still being sold at dealerships. The car is completely different from the 3rd generation with elements such as narrower headlights and a larger hexagonal grille. The crossover also features more sculpted lines on the sides of the car.

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations fourth-gen-hyundai-santa-fe-1.jpg

The interior of the 4th generation Santa Fe is highly regarded compared to competing models in the same segment, with modern amenities and high-quality interior materials.

Equipped with Hyundai’s latest SmartSense technology, the 4th generation Santa Fe is considered one of the safest vehicles in its segment and has received a 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

5th Generation (2024 – Future)

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations 2024-hyundai-santa-fe.jpg

While the previous generations of Santa Fe had smooth and sculpted designs, the new generation shifts towards a much sharper exterior. The grille is now vertical and features an H-shaped headlight that clearly identifies it as a Hyundai vehicle.

Hyundai Santa Fe's design changes over 5 generations 2024-hyundai-santa-fe-1.jpg

The interior of the 5th generation Santa Fe is minimalist yet modern. The H-pattern motif continues to inspire the cabin design. The seats and ceiling have vibrant colors to create a more spacious feel. In addition, the new Santa Fe’s interior also features premium decorative elements with soft woodgrain patterns or exquisite embroidery on the seats, providing a more sophisticated ambiance to the Santa Fe.

In terms of features and technology, the new generation Santa Fe is equipped with a curved display cluster consisting of a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system.

The detailed specifications of the 5th generation Santa Fe will be officially announced in August.

Trang Nguyen (Forum.autodaily.vn)

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