The approaching 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size SUV that will suffer some serious changes and refreshments. That includes exterior revamp, new interior equipment, astonishing interior layout, and a new transmission are in the offer.
Firstly introduced in 2000, Santa Fe started its journey as a compact crossover, and there have been three generations of this model. The fourth-generation will start with the 2019 model that we saw at the Hyundai Motorstudio. This is the company’s best-selling vehicle on the American soil, with almost 1.5 million units sold. The reasons for that are various, so check the rest of the review and see why this mid-size SUV is so popular.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe exterior changes
The exterior of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will suffer some serious changes. Thanks to that, the exterior design now looks more modern and competitive. Aesthetic-wise, new Santa Fe SUV will take some cues from the Hyundai Kona. The front end the headlights are reshaped and look narrower. LED technology can be found on the headlight units, daytime running lights and fog lights. Moreover, a forward illumination is in the offer too.
Hyundai prefers to call it a “Composite Light Design” which makes Santa Fe even more unique. The front fascia sports a new cascading grille with the metal honeycomb inserts. The polishing slats are visible and some silver trims are connecting the pair of headlights. A metal skid plate can be found down below.
The side profile gets a tall and muscular stance as before but the creases and character lines are new. The windows now get a more polishing metal surrounds and 19-inch wheels are standard. The rear part comes with narrow taillights in a triangular shape and the same skid plate as below the front end. Roof spoiler looks subtle and the overall dimensions are few inches larger than the outgoing model. However, the newest model comes now with the wheelbase that measures 108.9 inches.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe interior specs
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe arrives with a very modern and roomy cabin. For the start, the overall dimensional increase means more room inside the cabin. That even includes the second-row space. Moreover, the layout of the seats is perfect and Hyundai decides to relocate the windows switches so even the elbow room is now better. The cup holders are now sitting in a different location, which means longer armrests. On top of that, the floor is lower than before.
Generally, the cabin of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is perfect for families. The interior is inviting and comfortable. Even taller persons will find no problem inside the new Santa Fe. You can opt for five-passenger configuration or for the longer wheelbase model with seven seats. The eight-passenger model is currently under development. Furthermore, for storage, the new dimensions of 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will add around 1.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row.
The control layout sits horizontally and the infotainment screen is placed higher on the dashboard. Instrument panel comes with the three-dimensional look and with numerous knobs and buttons. The upholstery now includes a contrast stitching.
Safety features
Another dominating department of the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is its safety. This SUV offers numerous drivers assists and safety technologies. The rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, cruise control, lane departure warning and forward collision avoidance assist are all standard. Blind spot monitoring is optional, along with the newest rear seat occupant alert.
This system detects children and pets in the rear seats and it reminds the driver via the information screen. The system detects every rear seat movement, so if the driver leaves the vehicle, a horn sound will activate. Safe exit assist is another new feature that keeps the door locked when the car or motorcycle are detected.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe engine review
What we like the most about the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is its engine lineup. This SUV offers three different and unique drivetrains, two gasoline, and a single diesel choice. The 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine generates 200 HP and 320 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter gasoline engine is in the offer as well. This four-cylinder unit can produce up to 232 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the larger 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine 185 HP and 178 lb-ft of torque.
All of the engines are mated to an all-new 8-speed transmission. The gearbox now offers a shift paddles option. The new transmission is lighter and smoother than the previous 6-speed option.
Towing capacity and fuel economy
The towing capacity of the upcoming 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is the same as the previous model. The total amount of this SUV is around 4400 lbs. Fuel efficiency is also better by four percent. A Hyundai’s AWD system is optional and it improves the number of torque. Driving modes are available too, so you can switch between the Normal, Smart and Sport mode.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe price and arrival
The price of the all-new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe starts at $26,000. The price is more affordable than the Nissan Pathfinder or Honda Pilot. The all-wheel-drive system is optional, along with the optional technology and safety packages. With that in mind, the price could go over $45,000. This SUV will also hit the dealerships in the very beginning of 2019. Other Santa Fe’s rivals are Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.