When Hyundai unveils the fifth generation of its Santa Fe SUV, it's more than just a facelift or a technological update. It's a break, a manifesto. The Korean family SUV is changing its face, abandoning its sensible curves to adopt an angular, almost provocative silhouette, flirting with the world of chic off-roaders and urban adventurers. But beneath this bold bodywork, what remains of the soul of the Santa Fe, the road companion of modern tribes?
We tested it on the road, and off the beaten track, to understand its philosophy. Spoiler: this SUV is no longer just a vehicle, it's a lifestyle statement.
A concept car look
Forget everything you knew about the Santa Fe. This new version looks like it came straight out of a Californian design show. A vertical front fascia, H-shaped headlights that subtly recall the brand's DNA, taut lines, pronounced wheel arches, and a flat tailgate: the Santa Fe seems intent on competing with segment icons like the Defender and the Bronco Sport.
« We wanted to express a real break " says Simon Loasby, Hyundai's chief designer. A car that evokes freedom and the outdoors, while being perfectly suited to urban life. »
The result: an SUV that attracts attention, whether parked in front of a trendy coffee shop in Paris or on a mountainside in the Alps. Its style is almost retro-futuristic stands out in an often too consensual automotive landscape. A real stylistic risk, and it's all to its credit.
The interior: a cabin designed like a Scandinavian living room
Step inside, and you'll quickly understand that the Santa Fe is designed for living, not just driving. On the top-of-the-line Calligraphy version, the interior is adorned with noble materials: quilted leather, brushed metal inserts, thick carpeting, and above all, the natural light that floods the cabin thanks to the panoramic roof. The furniture is inspired by the codes of Nordic design: clean lines, harmonious colors, attention to detail.
The dashboard, dominated by a curved panel housing the digital gauges and the central screen (which is impeccably fluid), appears to float. Touch controls are minimized in favor of well-designed physical buttons, a real relief in an era of ubiquitous screens.
In terms of modularity, it's flawless: seven seats as standard, electrically folding seats, flat floor, wide-opening motorized tailgate. A true luxury van for nomadic tribes.
A car to explore, but without sacrificing the city
Hyundai hasn't just worked on style: the new-generation Santa Fe lives up to its adventure ambitions. Thanks to increased ground clearance, off-road driving modes (snow, sand, mud), and HTRAC all-wheel drive, it can venture off-road without fear. And yet, it's in the city that it surprises the most. Its smooth steering, 360° cameras, and surprisingly tight turning circle for its size make it a valuable everyday ally.
Under the hood, the choice is clear: hybrid and plug-in hybrid reign supreme. The 265-hp PHEV model offers up to 60 km of all-electric range, enough to cover the entire commute without using a drop of gas. For the more adventurous, the full hybrid version (230 hp) provides significant versatility and low fuel consumption.
More than a car: a lifestyle full fledged
The Santa Fe appeals to a new generation of drivers. Those who want to take a weekend getaway on a whim, surfboards on the roof, or organize a chic picnic on the shores of a lake. It speaks to those who want a status-conscious vehicle, without bling or arrogance. Those who want comfort, space, and technology, but refuse to drive a soulless SUV.
Hyundai understood it well: this Santa Fe, it is also a manifesto for an active, elegant, committed life. Moreover, the brand is multiplying collaborations lifestyle : partnerships with outdoor brands, “road trip” experiences offered to customers, designer merchandising… The SUV becomes the extension of a lifestyle.
Hyundai Santa Fe: the ideal SUV for modern families
For today's families, an SUV can no longer be just spacious. It must be flexible, comfortable, safe, and able to adapt to the hectic pace of everyday life while also offering beautiful weekend escapes. The new Hyundai Santa Fe intelligently ticks all these boxes. Designed as a true life partner, it combines practicality and refinement to accompany urban tribes and adventurous families alike.
First major asset: its seven real places, available as standard. Unlike many competitors that reserve the third row for occasional use, the Santa Fe offers two well-integrated rear seats, easily accessible thanks to a sliding second row. Children or teenagers can sit comfortably there for a long journey. In the five-seater configuration, the trunk becomes a real asset with a capacity of up to 725 liters, enough to accommodate strollers, sports bags, suitcases and groceries without compromise.
La interior modularity has been carefully designed to make everyday life easier. The electrically folding seats are controlled from the trunk, allowing for quick and effortless reconfiguration. The flat floor makes it easy to load bulky items, while numerous storage spaces (under the floor, in the door panels, etc.) add to the practicality. Each row has USB-C sockets, to keep the whole family's devices charged, and a wireless charger is integrated into the front for added comfort.
When it comes to comfort, Hyundai has left nothing to chance. The Santa Fe offers a tri-zone air conditioning so that each passenger finds their ideal temperature, as well as integrated sun blinds on the rear doors – a simple but precious detail when traveling with children. The materials used, especially on the higher trim levels, are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean: stain-resistant leather, thick carpets, matte plastics. The cabin becomes a real cocoon for long journeys, and the natural light ambiance, thanks to the panoramic roof, adds to this feeling of space.
In terms of security, the Santa Fe is an example. It has all the modern equipment needed to protect young and old: automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, active assistance in intersections, side collision prevention system, but also special attention for families. An alert system warns if a passenger is left in the back, a safe exit assistant prevents a door from opening if a cyclist or car arrives, and a 360° camera with aerial view makes it easier to maneuver in a crowded parking lot.
Hyundai offers the Santa Fe in hybrid version (230 hp) or plug-in hybrid (265 hp). The latter allows you to travel approximately 60 kilometers in all-electric mode, an ideal range for daily journeys (school, work, activities). Once recharged at home or at a public terminal, it allows you to drive without noise, without emissions, and above all without consuming a drop of fuel in the city. The classic hybrid version remains a relevant option for families who drive more on the road and want controlled consumption without having to worry about recharging.
The Santa Fe SUV can also transform into a adventure vehicle for family getaways. Its high ground clearance, available HTRAC all-wheel drive, and adaptive driving modes (snow, mud, sand) allow you to venture off the beaten track with confidence. The extra-wide, almost vertical tailgate is practical for organizing a picnic, changing a baby under cover, or loading bikes. roof bars allow you to take everything you need for your vacation: skis, paddleboard, roof box.
With this new model, Hyundai proves that it's possible to combine bold design, family versatility, and environmental awareness without sacrificing fun. It marks a turning point, not only for the Korean brand, but for an entire segment that has for too long preferred compromise to character.
More than just an SUV, it's an invitation to travel, even if it's just to school or the local organic market. Because sometimes, the adventure begins as soon as you touch the steering wheel.
Patrick Koune
