Hyundai announced back in March that the next generation of its Santa Fe SUV, temporarily badged ‘MX5’, would arrive several months earlier than planned. Judging by these spy photos, the road tests have already started.
It makes good sense for Hyundai to want the Santa Fe lineup updated as soon as possible, because sales have been steadily on the decline. In 2021, the current-gen SUV (see video) sold worse than the Kia Sorento worldwide. For instance, only around 57,500 units was sold in South Korea as opposed to the Sorento’s 77,000.
The new generation should give the crossover a larger body, its entrance ticket into the full-size SUV category of the market. Hyundai also intends to offer hybrid powertrains on new markets to make the offer more attractive.
Based on the images, the fifth-gen Santa Fe has a tall hood line, a pronounced front bumper and all-new head- and taillights, although the camo wrap prevents those from being seen at the moment.
Inside, the door cards look different, as do the seat profiles. One of the images reveals a pattern like two interconnected letters ‘X’ embroidered on a seat. It seems that the LED DRLs also sport X-shaped light patterns. Could the new Santa Fe be using this cross-shaped ornament as a distinguishing design feature? We should be able to learn more in the coming weeks.
