Recent reports have said that Hyundai has ruled out the fourth generation Santa Fe for India. However, IAB learns that the flagship SUV is still on the cards for our market.
Owing to no sales, the previous generation Hyundai Santa Fe exited India without even receiving its mid-life update. However, the company is confident about the growth in the premium SUV category in the short term. A source privy to the development told IAB that the fourth generation model that debuted in February this year is under consideration to top off its SUV range for the customer who is upgrading or wants the full experience. Hyundai is planning six other SUVs to be manufactured in India - a micro SUV, QXi sub-4m, next-gen Creta, next-gen Creta 7-seater, next-gen Tucson & next-gen Tucson+.
The fourth generation Santa Fe is by far the boldest production SUV from Hyundai. The mid-size SUV has a length of 4,770 mm, a width of 1,890 mm, a height of 1,680 mm and a wheelbase of 2,765 mm. It seats five or seven passengers depending on the configuration selected.
Globally, the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe is available with 2.4 GDI, 2.0 T-GDI, 2.4 MPI, and 3.5-litre MPI petrol engines and R2.0 and R2.2 diesel engines. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, while the HTRAC AWD system is optional. In India, one can expect the redesigned model with the R2.2 diesel engine that produces 202 PS and 45.0 kg.m (441.23 Nm) of torque, exclusively in the 7-seat version.
Also See: India-bound Hyundai Kona Electric spotted in New Delhi
On the outside, the 2018 Hyundai Tucson features the Composite Light comprising LED DRLs positioned on top of the LED headlights, Cascading grille connected to the LED DRLs via a sculpted garnish, 19-inch wheels and LED tail lights. Interior highlights include high-set floating type 8-inch touchscreen, full head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, 7-inch driver information display and electric extendable seat cushions for the front occupants.
The Hyundai Santa Fe could arrive in India as a CKD import costing well over INR 30 lakh (ex-showroom).
