The fifth-generation Santa Fe is larger than its predecessors, and third-row seating has been restored to U.S. models.
The shocking redesign of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was unveiled to the public last month. Hyundai has now unveiled more specific details about the new wildly styled mid-size SUV, ruining some of the surprise. The fifth-generation Santa Fe is larger in almost every way compared to its predecessor, and it also introduces new features, such as the addition of a third row of seats to U.S. models.
Stronger and More Prominent Than Ever
This generation of the Santa Fe debuted for the 2019 model year and received a facelift for the 2021 model year, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at these pictures. H-shaped front and rear lighting elements complete the new Santa Fe’s bold design, making it immediately obvious to onlookers that it is, in fact, a Hyundai.
The Santa Fe of 2024 is longer, wider, and taller overall than its predecessor. Its new length is 190.2 inches, an increase of 1.8 inches from its previous measurement. Even though the Santa Fe is now 1.9 inches longer in overall length, it is still 0.5 feet shorter than the three-row Hyundai Palisade. The extra space afforded by its 110.8-inch wheelbase is especially welcome in the vehicle’s third-row seats. The previous generation sold in other markets included the third row, but in the United States, buyers were only able to choose between two and three.
The new Santa Fe retains the same width as its predecessor, but it is now an inch or two taller (not including the available large roof rails). Bigger 21-inch wheels are now an option, up from the previous maximum of 20s. Cargo space behind the third row has increased by a few cubic feet to 26 cubic feet, according to Hyundai. A larger opening in the liftgate should facilitate loading and unloading.
An Interior with Greater Openness
The newly redesigned Santa Fe may be mistaken for a Land Rover by passengers. That might not sit well with Land Rover fans, but it should be a hit with the general public. The new dashboard’s upright layout and subtle H-shaped elements are quite attractive, in our opinion. The new column-mounted shifter is a nice touch, and we like that the audio and climate control knobs are located on either side of the 6.6-inch touchscreen.
The two 12.3-inch screens, one for the gauge cluster and one for the infotainment system, are housed in a single curved panel that serves as the focal point of the dashboard. The wheel is upscale looking and looks like it came right out of a Defender. There are two wireless charging pads atop a hollowed-out section of the center console, which the manufacturer promotes as being easily accessible from both the front and rear seats. One other special feature is an ultraviolet light-sterilizing tray that sits atop the glovebox.
It is not specified whether or not standard or optional footrests are available for front-seat passengers. The captain’s chairs in the second row are power-adjustable, and the seats in the third row recline by up to 10 degrees. According to Hyundai, the second and third row passengers have up to 42.3 and 30 inches of legroom. That’s an increase of 2.7 inches for those sitting in the very back compared to outgoing three-row models.
Automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and even semi-autonomous drive modes are just some of the driver assistance features available on the 2024 Santa Fe. Locking doors prevent passengers from wandering into traffic, and a new driver-attention monitor and radar-based rear-seat check reminder keep everyone safe.
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