Geneva show: Bigger Hyundai Santa Fe revealed

HYUNDAI’S new fourth-generation Santa Fe will be longer and wider than before, affording what the company claims will be class-leading roominess and enhanced visibility.

Due to be revealed this month ahead of its Australian roll-out in the middle of this year, the large seven-seat SUV has been formally shown in official images, hours after the pictures were leaked by South Korean media.

As expected, the Santa Fe’s styling draws heavily on recently released Hyundai models, including the Kona small SUV and the hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered Nexo.

A large chrome strip stretches the width of the car, separating the bonnet and grille. The latter is Hyundai’s signature cascading design. Twin headlights are mounted vertically in recesses on either side of the grille.

Hyundai has revealed that the new model will be 4770mm long – 70mm longer than before – and 1890mm wide – a gain of 10mm.

In a press release accompanying the images, the company also said the vehicle’s wheelbase has been stretched, although it did not say by how much. The current car’s wheelbase is 2700mm.

Despite the increase in exterior dimensions, the Santa Fe is still smaller than some of the main large SUV contenders such as the Toyota Kluger, which, at 4890mm long and 1925mm wide, is 110mm longer and 35mm wider. Mazda’s CX-9 is even larger, at 5075mm long and 1969mm wide.

Hyundai has also revealed that the Santa Fe will become the first Hyundai to gain rear cross-traffic alert with automated braking – a system to not only warn reversing drivers of approaching traffic but hit the brakes as well.

The new interior design is described as premium and horizontal. The design is unlikely to scare any Hyundai customers, sticking to tried and true design themes.

An image of the interior shows a two-tone brown layout with metallic trim and a floating central touchscreen looking like the one in the new i30.

A large speedo is front and centre in the instrument binnacle. The door-mounted mirrors provide better forward visibility when turning.

The new Santa Fe will make its world debut this month ahead of its motor show debut in Geneva on March 6.