No, you didn’t see the update Land Rover Defender. Under this disguise is what is supposed to be next Hyundai Santa Fescheduled to launch in 2023 before arriving in 2024 in showrooms.
The next Santa Fe is expected to grow larger than the current model and will feature an upright styling that is more in line with Land Rover cars than Hyundai.
This particular prototype features heavy camouflage, but even underneath the black shell we can see similarities to a previous mule we’ve photographed.
The sides are vertical, the C-pillar seems to take inspiration from the Defender’s chunky graphics, and the near-vertical rear door beneath that hunchback camouflage.
Based former spy photosIt looks like the new Santa Fe will have a single rectangular plate that houses both the digital instrumentation display and the infotainment touchscreen inside.
The interior door panels have flat, rectangular armrests and are fitted with large, square metal door handles.
It is not yet clear what powertrain will be offered with the new Santa Fe, but Hyundai Australia has confirmed the current model will be offered with a 1.6 liter turbo hybrid drivetrain 169kW / 350Nm from the fourth quarter of this year.
This will pair with a 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and a 200kW/331Nm 3.5-litre V6 in the local range.
Overseas, the Santa Fe is offered with other engines, including a 142kW naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 207kW version of the same engine. There’s also a 195kW/350Nm turbo 1.6-litre plug-in hybrid.
Based on Korean Car BlogThe new Santa Fe will increase in size and will be classified in its homeland as a “large SUV” instead of a medium-sized one.
Currently there is only a 100mm difference between the 4670mm . long wheelbase Tucson and Santa Fe 4770mm. Of course, the growth will reduce the size difference between it and the 4995mm Palisade.
