Hyundai New Santa Fe (2025): Features, Range Price Revealed

The Hyundai New Santa Fe has re-emerged with a bold and futuristic transformation that has turned heads across the global automotive landscape. Hyundai’s designers and engineers have pushed boundaries to make the 2025 Santa Fe not just a facelift, but a complete reimagination of what a modern SUV should be. This fifth-generation Santa Fe stands as a benchmark of design innovation, interior versatility, and hybrid efficiency. In this detailed blog, we will explore every aspect of the Hyundai New Santa Fe — from design to technology, performance, safety, and why this SUV is generating so much buzz.

1. Introduction: The Evolution of Santa Fe

Since its debut in 2000, the Hyundai Santa Fe has grown from a modest mid-size crossover into a global SUV phenomenon. Over the years, it has earned a reputation for being practical, reliable, and well-equipped. However, the 2025 Hyundai New Santa Fe aims much higher — entering premium SUV territory with its boxy design, extended wheelbase, refined interior, and cutting-edge hybrid tech.

2. Bold New Design Philosophy

The first thing that grabs your attention about the Hyundai New Santa Fe is its radically new design. Gone are the soft curves of the outgoing model — replaced with bold lines, a squared stance, and a distinctive “H-shaped” motif on both the front grille and tail lamps.

Key Design Highlights:

Boxy Profile: Inspired by lifestyle SUVs like the Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco, the New Santa Fe features straight lines, squared wheel arches, and a commanding road presence.
Extended Wheelbase: It now offers more cabin and boot space than ever before, perfect for larger families or adventurers.
LED Lighting: The ‘H’ LED signature DRLs add a futuristic feel and give it a unique identity, especially at night.
Massive Tailgate: One of the widest openings in the segment makes it a perfect SUV for outdoor and urban utility alike.
Rugged Alloy Wheels: Available in multiple trims, including 21-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels that further emphasize its bold character.

The Santa Fe’s design now appeals to a wider audience, especially younger buyers and outdoor enthusiasts who want style and functionality in one package.

3. Interior: Premium, Tech-Loaded, and Flexible

Step inside, and the Hyundai New Santa Fe feels more like a premium lounge than a traditional SUV cabin. The interior makeover matches the exterior’s radical shift and adds a new layer of luxury and tech.

Interior Features:

Panoramic Curved Display: A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster seamlessly merges with a 12.3-inch infotainment system for a high-tech, minimalist feel.
Soft-Touch Materials: Premium Nappa leather, ambient lighting, and soft-touch materials throughout give a luxury-like experience.
UV-C Sterilization Box: An innovative feature for sanitizing smartphones and small items.
Dual Wireless Chargers: For driver and passenger convenience.
Ergonomic Seating: Offers enhanced lumbar support, ventilated seats, and powered memory settings.
Three-Row Flexibility: Offers 7-seat configurations with ample legroom, even in the third row, thanks to its extended wheelbase.

Boot Space and Utility:

With the second and third-row seats folded, it boasts over 1270 liters of boot space. Perfect for camping, road trips, and more.

4. Engine Options and Performance

The Hyundai New Santa Fe offers a range of engines, focusing primarily on efficiency without compromising performance. The most popular versions will likely be the hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants.

Engine Choices (Global):

2.5L Turbocharged Petrol Engine:
- Output: ~277 hp
- Torque: 422 Nm
- Paired with an 8-speed DCT
1.6L Turbo-Hybrid (HEV):
- Combined Output: ~230 hp
- Fuel Efficiency: Approx. 16–18 km/l
1.6L Turbo Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV):
- Electric-only range: ~50 km
- Total range: 700+ km

Drive Modes:

Eco, Sport, Smart, Snow, Mud, and Sand — the new Santa Fe is off-road capable thanks to Hyundai’s HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive system available in higher variants.

5. Technology and Connectivity

In a digital age, the Hyundai New Santa Fe delivers next-generation tech that keeps you connected, informed, and entertained.

Top Tech Features:

Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Keeps the car’s software up to date without visiting service centers.
Connected Car Tech (Bluelink): Enables remote locking, engine start, climate control, and location tracking.
Android Auto & Apple CarPlay: Wireless support for seamless smartphone integration.
Heads-Up Display (HUD): Projects navigation and key data directly onto the windshield.
Fingerprint Authentication: Unique in this segment — starts the car and loads your personal driver profile.

6. Safety Features: Enhanced Driver Assistance

Safety has always been a key aspect of Hyundai vehicles. The New Santa Fe comes loaded with advanced driver assistance features that enhance driving confidence and passenger protection.

Standard and Available Safety Features:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Blind Spot View Monitor (BVM)
Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
360-degree Surround View Camera
Safe Exit Assist (Prevents door opening into oncoming traffic)
10-Airbags Standard in Top Trims

It’s expected to receive 5-Star Safety Ratings in major global safety tests like Euro NCAP and NHTSA.

7. Variants and Expected Price (India Launch)

While Hyundai has already launched the Santa Fe in international markets like the US and South Korea, its India launch is expected in early 2026. It is likely to be introduced via the CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route initially.

Expected Variants for India:

Santa Fe Smartstream 2.5 Turbo Petrol
Santa Fe Hybrid AWD
Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid (Possibly Later)
Santa Fe Signature (Top Trim)

Expected Price Range (Ex-showroom India):

Base Variant: ₹42–45 Lakhs
Hybrid: ₹48–52 Lakhs
Signature AWD: ₹55–58 Lakhs

This will place the New Santa Fe against rivals like the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Meridian, and even Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace.

8. Target Audience: Who Should Buy the New Santa Fe?

The Hyundai New Santa Fe is ideal for buyers who want:

A luxury SUV experience at a lower price than German brands.
A practical 7-seater SUV with a premium interior.
Tech-forward features and connected car technology.
Hybrid or plug-in hybrid options for better fuel efficiency.
A strong, road-commanding presence for long-distance road trips or city status.

This SUV is perfect for urban families, outdoor enthusiasts, tech lovers, and executive professionals alike.

9. Hyundai New Santa Fe vs. Rivals

Let’s take a closer look at how the Hyundai New Santa Fe competes with some of the key players in the Indian SUV market, namely the Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Kodiaq, and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace:

1. Powertrain Options

Hyundai New Santa Fe: Offers a variety of powertrains including Petrol, Hybrid, and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) options.
Toyota Fortuner: Primarily powered by diesel engines.
Skoda Kodiaq: Only available with a petrol engine.
VW Tiguan Allspace: Also limited to petrol engine options.

Verdict: The Santa Fe leads in powertrain diversity with electrified options, making it more future-ready.

2. Seating Capacity

All four models, including the Hyundai Santa Fe, Fortuner, Kodiaq, and Tiguan Allspace, offer 7-seater configurations, making them ideal for families.

Verdict: It’s a tie here, as all contenders offer similar seating capacity.

3. Safety Technology

Hyundai New Santa Fe: Comes loaded with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), offering a wide range of active and passive safety features like lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.
Toyota Fortuner: Offers basic safety features such as ABS, airbags, and a few standard systems, but lacks ADAS.
Skoda Kodiaq: Offers moderate safety features with some semi-autonomous elements but not a full-fledged ADAS suite.
VW Tiguan Allspace: Also offers moderate safety tech, falling short of Hyundai’s level.

Verdict: Santa Fe takes a strong lead with its comprehensive ADAS-based safety suite.

4. Infotainment System

Hyundai New Santa Fe: Boasts dual 12.3-inch screens, one for the digital instrument cluster and another for infotainment, creating a seamless, high-tech dashboard.
Toyota Fortuner: Comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which now feels dated.
Skoda Kodiaq: Offers a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is decent but not on par with Hyundai’s dual display.
VW Tiguan Allspace: Also gets a 10-inch screen, which is functional and user-friendly but less futuristic.

Verdict: Hyundai’s dual-screen setup wins this round with a more immersive and modern experience.

5. Hybrid Mileage

Hyundai New Santa Fe: The hybrid variant offers impressive mileage, ranging between 16 to 18 km/l, making it efficient for long drives and city commutes.
Toyota Fortuner: Does not offer a hybrid variant, hence no hybrid mileage figures.
Skoda Kodiaq: Lacks a hybrid option.
VW Tiguan Allspace: Also does not come with hybrid powertrains.

Verdict: Santa Fe stands out as the only SUV in this comparison to offer hybrid efficiency.

6. Price Range (Estimated/Ex-showroom)

Hyundai New Santa Fe: Expected to be priced between ₹42–58 Lakhs, depending on the variant and powertrain.
Toyota Fortuner: Currently priced between ₹35–55 Lakhs, depending on variant.
Skoda Kodiaq: Ranges from ₹39–42 Lakhs.
VW Tiguan Allspace: Price falls in the range of ₹36–40 Lakhs.

Verdict: While the Santa Fe is slightly more expensive, it justifies the premium with additional features, hybrid tech, and futuristic design.

10. Final Verdict: Is the New Hyundai Santa Fe Worth the Hype?

Absolutely. The Hyundai New Santa Fe represents a dramatic step forward for the brand. It’s no longer just “value for money” — it’s an aspirational SUV that competes with far more expensive premium brands in terms of design, technology, and features.

With its striking design, hybrid efficiency, tech-rich interior, and advanced safety, the New Santa Fe is poised to redefine what buyers expect from a mid-size SUV. If Hyundai prices it right in India, it could be a game-changer in the ₹40–60 lakh segment.