Hyundai's Santa Fe gets off-road upgrades

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【Summary】Hyundai's Santa Fe has received its biggest update yet, with improved off-road features. The carmaker aims to sell 135,000 units in North America, 16,000 units in Europe, and 70,000 units in Korea. The fifth-generation model hopes to restore the image of Korea's bestselling SUV, which was overtaken by Kia's Sorento in 2020.

FutureCar Staff Aug 30, 2023 9:39 AM PT

Hyundai's Santa Fe gets off-road upgrades

The Hyundai Santa Fe, the first Korean-made sport utility vehicle, has undergone its biggest update since it was first introduced in 2000. The latest version boasts improved off-road features in both design and performance.

Hyundai is positioning the All New Santa Fe as a mid-sized family vehicle that caters to both city commuters and outdoor enthusiasts. The carmaker has set ambitious sales targets for next year, aiming to sell 135,000 units in North America, 16,000 units in Europe, and 70,000 units in Korea.

Kim Yoon-su, the director of the domestic marketing department at Hyundai Motor Group, shared during a media preview on Aug. 9, "From the beginning, the Santa Fe had the strongest SUV heritage, but the biggest challenge was to overcome the mundane image that lacked standout features. We tried to create a unique image for the new Santa Fe, blending a robust exterior with delicate interior design."

With the introduction of its fifth-generation full-change model after five years, Hyundai hopes to restore the image of Korea's bestselling SUV. The Santa Fe used to top the list of SUVs sold in Korea until 2020 when it was surpassed by Kia's Sorento. Since then, the Sorento has maintained the top position, selling 70,018 units and 68,220 units in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Meanwhile, the Santa Fe sold 41,739 units and 28,205 units during the same period.