2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Spied Getting Some Track Time
The current Hyundai Santa Fe has been with us for five years and the Korean automaker has an all-new version on the way, with a prototype being spotted testing on the Nurburgring this week.
The 2018 Santa Fe will boast an all-new exterior design and it appears as though the front-end will undergo the most radical change, with Hyundai implementing a large honeycomb pattern grille and thin LED headlamps similar to those seen on the Hyundai Kona. The side of the vehicle also appears much more upscale than the outgoing Santa Fe with a higher beltline, a narrow greenhouse section and more dramatically sculpted body lines.
SEE ALSO: Totally Redesigned 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Spied Testing with Major Changes
Another notable aspect of the new Santa Fe is the size. This prototype appears a bit larger than the current Santa Fe Long Wheelbase, which supports rumors the SUV will now support seating for eight rather than seven. The short wheelbase Santa Fe Sport should remain a five-seater, though it may also grow a little in size to offer more space for passengers and additional trunk capacity.
It’s of course too early to say what powertrains will lie under the hood, but we’re not expecting groundbreaking changes. Long wheelbase versions should retain a V6 engine, while the five-seat versions will likely continue on with Hyundai’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. We imagine front-wheel drive will be standard and all-wheel drive will return as an option.
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe should debut sometime in early 2018.
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Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.
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