The boldly redesigned 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe seeks to shatter expectations of family haulers with its cutting-edge hybrid powertrains cloaked in a radically futuristic design theme. Now into its 4th generation, Hyundai’s flagship SUV has morphed dimensions to compete directly with popular 5-seater mid-size offerings, while retaining trim options for 6 or 7 passengers.
Available engine options global include:
- 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder gasoline
- 1.6L turbocharged hybrid making a combined 230 hp
As Hyundai’s most advanced model incorporating next-gen driver assistance and connectivity capabilities, the 2023 Santa Fe pushes styling, technology and efficiency boundaries aiming at a younger audience who value depictions of success beyond old-school luxury tropes.
Brave New Exterior Styling Turns Heads
The Santa Fe’s cutting-edge exterior treatment shatters conventional boxy SUV design norms. Hyundai set its designers free to capture the imagination of urban audiences seeking distinction from sea of monotone family carriages populating school parking lots.
Front Styling
- trademark cascading grille paired with geometric bumper shapes for imposing road presence
- futuristic T-shaped LED lighting signature housed in composite lamp chambers becomes prime visual identifier
- active air intake flap system and coasting guide vents enable drag coefficient of 0.33 – matching luxury brand tastes
Side Profile
- chamfered wheel arches and creased bodywork catch light for chiseled athleticism
- raked rear windscreen line emphasizes extended rear overhang promoting powerful visual mass
Rear Treatment
- full-width coast-to-coast slim horizontal tail lamps modernize lifted rump stance
- widish 235/65 tyres pushed out to corners hint at potential for soft-roading duties
- lower skid plate garnish, reflectors and subtle diffuser mimic cues from capable SUVs
This catchy futuristic form shuns conservative notions of boxy familial function in pursuit of aesthetics. Undoubtedly the Santa Fe’s breakaway styling ensures it won’t fade into background humdrum when lined up amongst more orthodox offerings at the country club entrance.
Premium Cabin Packed With Comfort and Convenience
The Santa Fe’s radical ripped sheet-metal envelops an expertly crafted interior brimming with organic shapes housing the latest high-technology displays and infotainment interfaces.
Interior Highlights:
- curved 12.3 inch touch infotainment merges with digital instrumentation into an enveloping unified media hub for the modern era
- generously bolstered quilted Nappa leather seats available, perforated and ventilated front thrones prevent sticking even in Delhi’s heat
- Bridge-type center console opens up storage flexibility options below for handbags, devices or even a 4kg pet
- powered rear seats allow second row VIP passengers take control over their situational comfort via switches at the rear
- UV filter layer bonded onto windshield glass prevents harsh sunlight from prematurely aging the vegan leather cabin
Clever textures utilizing aluminum trim, open pore wood veneers, knurled knobs and soft-touch contact points layer extraordinary cabin richness for occupants to revel cocooned within.
Overall Hyundai allocates the technology glitz, sustainable material comfort and visual theatrics befitting a flagship dangling at the uppermost branches of its extensive 30-model lineup.
230 HP Hybrid Powertrain – Effortless Muscle On Tap
Lest allegations of all style no substance haunt Hyundai, the Santa Fe impresses with a capable 230 hp petrol-electric hybrid powertrain:
1.6L Turbo Hybrid AWD Drivetrain
- 1.6L turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine paired to a 66.9 kW electric motor integrated into 6-speed automatic gearbox
- Combined system output: 230 hp, 350 Nm torque from 1500 rpm facilitating strong pull
- Electric motor fills torque gaps during initial acceleration mitigating dips from turbo lag
- 0 – 100 kmph timings in sub 9 second range – credibly rapid for 2.2 ton family shuttle
The unified hybrid power unit juggles outputs automatically sans intervention delivering effortless thrust. Power flows consistently thanks to instant electric motor torque punch papering over turbo lag tip-in delays.
Out on road, the powertrain suits relaxed cruising over tire shredding histrionics. Yet adeptly capable whether chauffeuring rear passengers or piling Ikea flatpacks for home improvement projects.
Balanced Ride and Handling
With family comfort duties in mind, Hyundai’s engineers appropriately tuned suspension to gracefully smother imperfections without compromising stability. Ride quality focuses on absorbing undulations and maintaining compliance across various surfaces.
Serving such a wide spectrum means the Santa Fe may not attack corners with the tenacity of a dedicated performance SUV. Nonetheless respectable grip and moderate body control maintains composure when adhesion limits approach.
The steering heft remains oriented towards low effort city parking over high-speed dynamics demanding constant feedback. Yet provides adequate confidence when sudden maneuvers become necessary beyond relaxed highway cruising ambitions.
Overall the Santa Fe enjoys crossing continents feeling equally at home running urban errands or conquering autonomous cruise demands of modern interstate highways. Well balanced suspension tuning befitting a flagship family hauler.
Packed With Premium Comfort and Technology
Hyundai endowed its flagship SUV with segment-leading convenience and connectivity features:
Interior Comfort Highlights
- Relaxing power front seats with heating, ventilation and lumbar adjustments
- Microprocessed air filters eliminate pollen and fine dust keeping cabin ambience purified
- Multi-zone climate control maintains preferred temperatures for all passengers
- 64-color ambient lighting sets vibe from calm to energetic depending on mood
Segment Leading Driver Aids and Connectivity
- Latest BlueLink software stacked with voice recognition and cloud concierge services
- Digital key allows owners to access and start Santa Fe using smartphones
- Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) enables automatic control parking via key fob
- Highway Driving Assist semi-autonomous tech reduces fatigue on long drives
As befitting a flagship the Santa Fe debuts Hyundai’s newest technologies for safety and everyday ease. Owners will appreciate the car effectively assuming extensive driving tasks with minimal oversight needed thanks cloud-based autonomous progression.
Verdict – Striking New Style to Spice Up Segment
In essence Hyundai envisages its comprehensively overhauled fourth generation flagship Santa Fe crossover to spearhead the brand’s pivot towards radical forward thinking modernism. The new Santa Fe finally liberates designers from the shackles of conservative customer opinions that new shapes signal new technologies.
The result blends standout origami-esque sheetmetal slicing through air with excellent aerodynamics housing one of Hyundai’s most premium and technology intensive interiors. Focused appropriately on balancing family needs versus introducing contemporary technologies like its hybrid drivetrains and autonomous upgrades.
Yet makes a evident style statement for owners wanting to stand out amidst me-too family movers populating school parking lots. For the new breed of emerging luxury customers, the 2023 Santa Fe stylishly fits the bill to showcase success beyond old money conventions.
Slotted between Hyundai’s more rational Tucson and electrification halo Ioniq 5, the passionate Santa Fe flavors function with emotive dynamism – perfectly demonstrating flagship values.
