The Hyundai Santa Fe is the largest model in the Korean manufacturer’s range but, within it, it is a relatively recent model. It began its journey with the beginning of the century (and the millennium) and in its little more than two decades of existence it has evolved considerably.
This is its history, which is quite successful if we take into account that through four generations it has managed to market more than 5 million units.
The first generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe
Son of his time, the truth is that his arrival was a very important point for Hyundai: it was its largest model but, in addition, it was the first SUV developed by the manufacturer.
The first generation was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2000 and its concept was that of an SUV (at that time the term was much greener) that was capable and versatile, but above all that was functional and had great functionality. Its success was so immediate that in 2001 the brand had to expand its production.
Its appearance seems somewhat archaic today, but it was not out of place back then, with a fairly robust and muscular image, which combined rectilinear proportions with curved lines that softened the edges. The grille was minimal and the plastic underride guards quite bulky.
It had a range of mainly gasoline engines, with options up to 180 hp and alternatives even with four-wheel drive. But the presence of a 116 hp diesel block was important to gain a foothold in the European market.
The second generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe
In 2006 the relief would arrive, a Santa Fe that grew even more in size, something that allowed to offer an interior configuration of seven seats (although the rear ones were for very occasional use), but thanks to its renewed design it did not give the feeling of have grown up
The change is clearly seen in a lower and sharper front, in which the grill began to gain prominence and the front lights were lengthened and widened to guard it. In addition, refinement was opted for by reducing the lower protections to their minimum expression.
It repeated with three available engines, two gasoline 189 and 235 hp, and a diesel that was launched again with Europe in mind. This one, however, gained punch and rose to 155 hp, a power more in line with a model of its size.
The third generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe
The arrival of the third generation in 2012 was a very important jump compared to the second, in fact considerably more pronounced than that between the first two generations.
On a visual level, it was already a modern SUV, with a style that in the middle of 2022 has aged well. The grille already has a considerable size and opens in a hexagonal shape, both the headlights and the fog lights grow, the belt line is very marked and the whole feels quite athletic even despite its dimensions.
It was decided to split the range into two different bodies, the standard five-seater and the Grand Santa Fe, which would be released a year after launch, with seven seats and a wheelbase 100 millimeters longer.
It experienced a significant improvement in its finishes and special emphasis was placed on technological advances (especially in driving assistants). Its mechanical offer continued to be limited to three engines, although this time there were two diesels (150 and 200 hp) and only one gasoline (193 hp.
The fourth generation of the Hyundai Santa Fe
The latest generation (for the moment) of the Hyundai arrived in 2018 and marked the culmination of the sophistication process that has been experienced during these two decades, putting on the table a large model with a character that seeks a more premium approach. This became even more apparent in the 2021 update.
With seven seats as standard, its exterior design is really striking and muscular, the passenger compartment combines analog buttons with several screens and is available with a 230 hp diesel engine, a 230 hp hybrid and with a 265 hp plug-in hybrid option.