By Staff Reporter

The range topping Santa-Fe has received a make-over. Hyundai are billing it as a substantial one with a switch to a new platform set to introduce improvements in performance, safety and handling. Those details are yet to be announced although Hyundai has announced key exterior and interior updates.

Exterior

Looks are dominated by a new look grille design and LED Daytime Running Lights that start at the top of the grille and cut through it (and all the way to the bumpers) to create unique T-shapes at each corner of the car when lit.

On the side profile, the increased width on wheel arches is also emphasized by new 20-inch wheels.

Finally at the back, taillights have been redesigned and are now connected across the rear door by a slim illuminated bar which underscores the car’s wide stance.

Interior

Inside, a redesigned center console with gear shift buttons is hard to miss. A new shift-by-wire system has been introduced. This has allowed the adoption of buttons instead of the conventional shift knob. An obvious advantage has been the freeing up of space. The center console is said to sit higher thereby giving the driver and front passenger the feeling of sitting in an armchair. Additionally, Hyundai says the interior benefits from new premium soft-touch materials.

A new 10.25-inch AVN (audio, video, navigation) touchscreen display with pre-loaded maps, satellite-based voice guided navigation, rear camera display, and complete in-car entertainment and connectivity features, has been introduced. The system also offers AppleCar Play and Android Auto.

Technical details are yet to be announced and local availability is yet to be confirmed.