
Fifth-Gen Santa Fe Redesigned
The 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe will receive major mid-cycle updates, and the latest spy photos reveal a glimpse of what to expect from the SUV. Hyundai will be hoping that with a refreshed design and more technology and features, the Santa Fe will reverse the downward trajectory of sales. The updated Santa Fe is the fifth-generation model, which made its debut in 2023. The facelifted Santa Fe is likely to arrive around late 2026 or early 2027.Â
A Peek Inside the Santa Fe
 The new images from ShortsCar show a glimpse of the major updates for the Santa Fe. Even though the dashboard was covered, the SUV will get Hyundai’s new infotainment system, based on the new Pleos software, which is expected to offer customizable views like a split-screen and multi-window options. Although details are scarce, the South Korean automaker could follow Tesla’s lead by featuring a large, tablet-style centerpiece display.
Hyundai Santa Fe’s Bold Style Refresh
 The 2027 Santa Fe is gearing up for an overhaul in design, as it is based on the company’s new appearance philosophy called “Art of Steel.” Based on leaked prototype images and artistic concepts, the aesthetics of the Santa Fe will be on the lines of the new NEXO hydrogen SUV. It sports futuristic styling with slimmer headlights with side-mounted DRLs, a cleaner four-bar grille, and a sleeker side profile. At the rear, vertical taillights joined by a light bar, along with a raised license plate and gloss-black accents, create a more premium appearance. Overall, the Santa Fe adopts a more aerodynamic profile, moving away from its boxy design for a contemporary, urban-friendly road presence like the Tucson and the Palisade.
Goodbye Clunky Gear Shifts
Hyundai is making some much-needed mechanical adjustments, so the updates go beyond just the exterior and interior. Finally, a smoother torque-converter automatic transmission is replacing the Santa Fe’s weak point, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in 2.5-liter turbo variants. The DCT had faced criticism from many owners for jerky shifts and rough low-speed performance. The hybrid models, on the other hand, will continue with the 1.6-liter turbo engine and six-speed automatic transmission.
What Is The Competition To The Santa Fe?
Toyota Highlander Toyota
 In the U.S. midsize SUV segment, the Santa Fe faces stiff competition from players like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Kia Sorento. The popular Highlander leads the way with its bulletproof reliability and hybrid options, starting at $45,000. If you’re looking for a spacious three-row SUV, the Pilot is one of the favorite family vehicles and costs around $40,000. The Sorento is more of a crossover, but it matches the Santa Fe when it comes to tech, as it is also from the Hyundai family, but it undercuts the competition, as it starts from around $32,000.
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