We Indians have come a long way from seeing only a few selected models on the road, to all the major carmakers setting up factories in India. In this weekly feature we will discuss about the cars we wish to see on Indian roads this week we are going to talk about Hyundai Santa Fe.
Hyundai had recently taken the wraps off it’s new mid-size SUV the Santa Fe. And it looks like Hyundai has ported out a design straight from Cyberpunk 2077. With it’s retro futuristic design, it is a huge departure from what the outgoing going Santa Fe, in terms of size, design, features and capabilities.
A Brief History Of The Hyundai Santa Fe in India
Sante Fe was the first mainstream SUV built by Hyundai. First gen Santa Fe came to India as a CBU which brought a hefty price tag with it and ultimately got discontinued due to poor demand.
However, Hyundai learnt from their mistake by not assembling the Santa Fe locally and the second generation which was in production from 2011-2014. And it was built at the Chennai plant. The second gen boasted a full SUV vibe did decently well considering SUVs were still not as popular as sedans at the time.
In 2014 Hyundai launched their new third gen Santa Fe in India and it embraced its crossover nature. For the same reason, which might have been it’s downfall as us Indians didn’t want to pay a premium price for a crossover. Knowing that there were full size options like the Toyota Fortuner and the Ford Endeavor for a similar price. It came with only one engine option, a 2.2L four cylinder diesel.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe has established itself as one of the most popular mid-size SUVs in the global market, and its popularity can be attributed to several key factors that resonate with buyers worldwide.
1. Striking Design: Modern and Stylish Appeal
The Hyundai Santa Fe boasts a modern and stylish design that appeals to buyers’ aesthetics. Eye-catching retro design elements, such as the distinctive headlights, bold grille, and overall road presence, make the Santa Fe stand out from the crowd. Moreover, The latest iteration of the Hyundai Santa Fe, set to arrive in 2024, brings a refreshing update to its design and features. What’s more the SUV sports a boxy yet aggressive stance, with bold H-shaped LED headlights, a grille with a light bar, and an upright bonnet with striking creases. The side profile exudes a boxy look with large wheel arches, complemented by attractive 21-inch wheels and square-shaped bumpers.
2. Premium and Practical Interior
The interior of the Santa Fe will undoubtedly be eye-catching, featuring a premium and modern design. With its increased dimensions, the SUV will offer ample space, making it longer and wider than the outgoing model. This enhancement will provide generous legroom, headroom, and boot space, ensuring a comfortable and practical driving experience. The interior of the new Santa Fe showcases a black and white theme with ambient lighting, creating a sleek and contemporary ambiance. The inclusion of soft-touch materials on the dashboard and door trims enhances the overall luxury feel.
As with other premium offerings from Hyundai, the new Santa Fe is expected to maintain great build quality and material quality. Moreover, Hyundai is renowned for providing excellent value for the price, and this SUV is likely to be no exception.
3. Loaded with Features
Hyundai vehicles are known for being feature-packed, and the Santa Fe lives up to this reputation. Along With a wide range of modern features like a premium audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, Seat Massager. And advanced safety technologies such as blind spot detection, ESP, brake assist, and a rear parking camera with sensors. The Santa Fe offers a high level of convenience and safety to its passengers.
4. Fuel Efficiency and Reliability
The Hyundai Santa Fe might impress with its fuel efficiency, delivering good mileage and reduced running costs as there could be strong focus on PHEV and mild hybrid technologies . Additionally, the outgoing model has gained a reputation for being one of the most reliable SUVs in the market. Thanks to its robust build quality and excellent performance. All backed by Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty program. It’s only fair to assume that the new model will also follow the footsteps.
The Future of Hyundai Santa Fe in India
In the past decade, Hyundai launched the Santa Fe in India, but it faced tough competition from established rivals like the Toyota Fortuner. As a result, the response from the Indian market was modest, leading to lower sales numbers.
However, the new generation Santa Fe, boasting a larger road presence and increased dimensions, holds promise for a better reception in India. With only the Toyota Fortuner and MG Gloster as its main rivals in the SUV segment, the bigger and bolder Santa Fe, coupled with Hyundai’s strong sales and service network, has the potential to carve a significant niche for itself. Pricing will play a crucial role in determining its success in the highly competitive Indian market.
As we eagerly await the world premiere event in August 2023, all eyes are on the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. However, anticipating its entry into the Indian market and the potential it holds to make a remarkable impact in the ever-evolving SUV segment.