Hyundai has revealed a new six-seat configuration for its Santa Fe crossover.
CarExpert understands this six-seat option could arrive Down Under as part of a MY22 update for the Santa Fe.
This seating configuration is available across the entire range of the South Korean-spec 2022 Santa Fe as a ₩750,000 (A$900) optional extra.
The second-row captain’s chairs feature power-folding and sliding capability.
Currently all Australian-spec Santa Fe models feature a one-touch folding three-seat bench for the second row, plus a two-seat bench for the third row.
Pricing for the entry-level South Korean-spec Santa Fe Exclusive six-seater with the 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol starts at ₩32,900,000 (A$39,514) before on-road costs, and extends to ₩46,560,000 (A$55,920) before on-road costs for the top-of-the-range Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy six-seater.
This new six-seat seating configuration for the Santa Fe will continue to be sold alongside the five- and seven-seat configurations in South Korea.
Hyundai Australia already offers a similar style of seating locally with its seven-seat Palisade variants.
These variants have a 2-2-3 seating configuration with second-row captain’s chairs just like this South Korean-spec Santa Fe six-seater.
Mazda also offers six-seat versions of its CX-8 and CX-9 large SUVs.
The Santa Fe will be updated just a year after arriving in local showrooms, with the range set to grow to include a hybrid variant in early 2022.
It’s not yet clear how many variants will be offered with the hybrid powertrain or the six-seat layout.
“There are some changes to the Santa Fe line-up coming outside of hybrid, which should be interesting. Hopefully we can talk about those soon,” teased Hyundai Australia product development manager, Tim Rodgers, in November.
Currently, the Australian-spec Santa Fe starts at $44,700 before on-road costs for the entry-level Santa Fe petrol front-wheel drive and extends to $65,200 before on-road costs for the Santa Fe Highlander turbo-diesel all-wheel drive.
Two engines are available across the Australian-spec Santa Fe range.
The base engine is a 3.5-litre petrol V6, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s front-wheel drive, and has 200kW of power and 331Nm of torque.
The range-topper is a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’s all-wheel drive, and has 148kW and 440Nm.
We don’t get the plug-in hybrid powertrain, while we also miss out on the naturally-aspirated and turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder options.
Instead of a simple mid-life facelift, Hyundai moved the Santa Fe to a new platform in late 2020. It shares its underpinnings with the latest Kia Sorento.
It’s 15mm longer, 10mm wider, and 5mm taller than the pre-update model, and Hyundai claims there’s 39mm more rear legroom.
