The Hyundai Santa Fe moves to the Hyundai-Kia N3 platform, aligning with the new Kia Sorento, after riding on the Y6 architecture for the current generation. A video shot in South Korea captures the crossover during road testing, hinting at what’s ahead for the model line.
In a parking lot adjacent to a Kia Carnival, a prototype Santa Fe was spotted. It wore heavy camouflage, its lines concealed behind false panels as engineers tested its underpinnings and design language in real-world conditions.
Early impressions suggest a more rugged, boxier stance for the future Santa Fe, especially when viewed from the side. The windshield appears more upright, signaling a potential shift in the vehicle’s profile and aerodynamics as it evolves to meet new market demands.
According to the video description, the upcoming Santa Fe may include a hybrid variant. Details on whether this particular hybrid will be offered in all regions, including Russia, remain unconfirmed by Hyundai at this time.
Hyundai has positioned the fifth-generation Santa Fe for a major introduction in the latter half of the next year, with this generation expected to start reaching customers in late 2024 or early 2025. The transition to the N3 platform mirrors the modernization seen in the latest Kia lineup and reflects Hyundai’s broader strategy to unify crossovers under shared engineering families to improve efficiency, safety, and driving dynamics across market segments.
Photo, video: YouTube