5 things to know about the upcoming Hyundai Santa Fe

KUALA LUMPUR: Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has been accepting bookings for the all-new Santa Fe since early November and is expected to launch the upgraded SUV soon. The new Santa Fe is offered in three variants in the local market - Hybrid Plus, Hybrid Max, and Diesel Max. Today, we will be discussing 5 important things you should know about this upcoming Hyundai SUV, so let’s get started.

Hybrid engine for the first time

The debut of the new Santa Fe holds great significance for Malaysia as it is the first time a hybrid version of the SUV is offered in the country. As the names suggest, two of the three variants of the SUV will come powered by a combination of a 180 PS/265 Nm 1.6-litre T-GDI petrol engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor, generating a total system output of 230 PS and 350 Nm. The power is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Second locally-assembled Hyundai hybrid model

The upcoming Hyundai Santa Fe will be offered as a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) model in Malaysia, which makes it the second locally-assembled Hyundai hybrid model after the IONIQ Hybrid in 2016. The Ioniq Hybrid that has now been discontinued locally was powered by a 1.6-litre Kappa GDI four-cylinder Atkinson cycle direct injection engine generating 105 PS and 147 Nm and a 44 PS/170 Nm electric motor, together producing 141 PS and 265 Nm. 

New platform

The refreshed fourth-gen Santa Fe underpins a new “Integrated Architecture” platform, which marks it as the first Hyundai SUV globally to be built on this third-gen vehicle platform. According to Hyundai, the new platform allows for significant improvements in performance, handling, fuel efficiency, and safety. It improves air movement through the engine bay and allows heat to dissipate, enhancing stability in the lower part of the SUV. 

Among the other benefits of the new platform are - improved noise, vibration, and harshness performance and better collision safety.

Upgraded equipment kit

Whether it's exterior, interior, or safety, the latest SUV offers a new level of class, comfort, and prestige in all areas, thanks to a myriad of technologies. Some of these are - unique T-shaped daytime running lights, a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel, a push-button gear selector, heated/ventilated driver and front passenger seats, driver’s seat memory, 8.0-inch infotainment unit with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and voice recognition, wireless phone charging, a power tailgate, auto wipers, and the full Hyundai SmartSense safety suite including Smart Cruise Control. 

Will be exported to Thailand

The made-in-Malaysia Hyundai Santa Fe will also be exported to Thailand, confirms the automaker. To make that happen, Sime Darby Hyundai Integrated Sdn Bhd has signed a Certificate of Mass Production with Inokom Corporation Sdn Bhd for the mass production of the facelifted Santa Fe. The collaboration is a testament to the brands' joint commitment to strengthen the local automotive ecosystem.

Interested individuals can visit their preferred Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors dealership to book the new Santa Fe SUV. The SUV is offered in four striking colour choices namely, Snowflake White Pearl, Jet Black, Meteor Grey, and Stormy Sea.

Also read: Hyundai Ioniq 5 convoy to explore 5 ASEAN countries in 11 days