2024 Hyundai Santa Fe -- Open for More

by Tim Healey

Published: November 16th, 2023

LOS ANGELES -- No, we haven't turned into a late-night infomercial, saying "but wait, there's more!"

We're quoting the tagline from the press release for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: "Open for More." So tagged because the liftgate opening is larger.

And, well, there's more. Read on.

Wait, you ask, didn't we already cover the Santa Fe? Didn't this author travel to New Mexico a few months back to see it up close?

Yes, we/I did. But we also didn't know all the details at the time -- especially since Hyundai builds different versions for different global markets.

Now we know that the Santa Fe -- which has a longer wheelbase than before and offers standard three-row seating -- will come standard with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. A hybrid powertrain will be available.

I poke some gentle fun at the larger liftgate above, but Hyundai has a reason to highlight it -- it offers a "terrace-like" space. Which we take to mean that it will not only swallow a lot of cargo but also be able to be used for socializing at tailgates or while gazing at a sunset. Or camping.

We've talked already about the use of "H" themes in the exterior and interior design as well as the available 21-inch wheels and enlarged size.

We've also touched on its available comfort and convenience features. We won't bore you by repeating ourselves -- this isn't an adult-beverage-enhanced story session at Jake's Pub -- though we now know that Bose audio will be available.

The news to us -- the news we couldn't confirm earlier this year -- involves the powertrain choice. If the aforementioned four-banger isn't for you, you can go hybrid. That powertrain mates a 1.6-liter turbo four to an electric motor for system numbers of 232 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. The ICE Santa Fe gets an eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic while the hybrid has a six-speed slushbox.

The XRT concept we saw in Santa Fe the place will be part of Santa Fe the vehicle. This off-road-oriented trim adds 1.5 inches of ground clearance, different styling elements, and all-terrain rubber. Pop for a towing package and you can haul up to 4,500 pounds.

The gasser goes on sale in March 2024 and the hybrid sometime in the spring.

[Images: Hyundai]

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Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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2 of 23 comments

Vvk on Nov 18, 2023

That great Niva styling! Everything old is new again.

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Dan on Dec 28, 2023

I hate that they added 3rd row seats. I bought my 2021 Santa Fe instead of a Kia Sorento because the Santa Fe did not have a third row seat. You lose storage space with third seat. We never even use our backseat. So it looks Iike Hyundai will loose customers with that worthless seat. Heck if i wanted a third row, i would gave just bought a Pallisades. Goodbye Hyundai.

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