2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Revealed In Detail, Teases Tough XRT Concept Spinoff

Sep 11, 2023

Hyundai says it has no plans to make the XRT a production reality, but don’t bet against it

Hyundai has already treated us to a look at the new 2024 Santa Fe’s interior and exterior design, showcasing the rather Defender-esque, angular lines, H-motif DRLs and unusual tailgate in a gallery last month.

But what it didn’t reveal on that occasion were any of the cold hard facts that might help you work out how it stacks up against its opposition. Hyundai remedied that today by giving us all of the dimensions, capacities and engine specs a numbers junkie could want, and it also teased us with a tough-looking XRT variant that it swears is just a concept, but we suspect might be hinting at a potential future addition to the line.

So let’s take a look at some of those specs. The 2024 Santa Fe rides on a 110.8-in (2,815 mm) wheelbase that’s 1.9-in (48 mm) longer than before, and the overall length is up 1.8-in (46 mm) to 190.2-in (4,830 mm). The width is the same at 74.8-in (1,900 mm), but the new SUV’s roofline stands 67.7-in (1,720 mm) from the ground, meaning this Santa Fe is 0.4-in (10 mm) taller than the old one.

Related: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Is A Bold SUV That’s Not Afraid To Be Different

More room, more equipment

The larger footprint has allowed Hyundai to make some major changes inside the Santa Fe, namely deliver useful gains in interior space and add a third row of seats in the U.S. version. A small third row was previously available in other countries, but Hyundai pulled the option from its American catalog a few years ago. Trunk volume is also improved by 3.2 cu-ft (91 liters) to 25.6 cu-ft (725 liters).

The automaker’s Relaxation Seats, which are meant to simulate weightlessness and have already been seen on the Ioniq 5, make an appearance, and on SUVs configured with a six-seat layout the second-row chairs can also be electrically moved into a relaxation mode. There are also tons of useful features like a dual-phone wireless charging tray, a console storage tray that opens two ways so it can be accessed by both front and rear passengers, and even a UV-C Sterilization Tray in the glovebox to cleanse phones and wallets.

Hybrid power optional

As for what’s under the hood, well that depends where you are. Buyers in Korea and North America get to pick from a 2.5-liter turbo four that makes 277 hp (281 PS) and 311 lb-ft (422 Nm) or a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid that’s good for 178 hp (180 PS) and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm). The 2.5 hits 62 mph (100 kmh) in 8.0 seconds, while the hybrid requires 9.5.

Europeans can spec their Santa Fe with the same 1.6 hybrid, or choose a 1.6-liter PHEV that generates 158 hp (160 PS) and the same torque as the regular hybrid, and hits 62 mph in 9.1 seconds. And in some markets, there’s even a naturally aspirated 2.5 whose 191 hp (194 PS) doesn’t sound too terrible, though its 11.5-second zero to 62 time definitely is.

XRT Concept hints at more to come

Overall, the 2024 Santa Fe sounds like a strong package, but we won’t know how strong until Hyundai reveals prices, which are likely to start at just over $30,000. But one version of the Santa Fe that won’t be available to buy when the SUVs arrives in Korean showrooms in August, and North America and Europe in the first half of 2024, is the tough XRT Hyundai revealed today in concept form.

Featuring a raised ride height, BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, trail-focused approach and departure angles, plus accessories like a roof rack, cargo boxes and rear ladder, the XRT (shown below) is clearly influenced by what Land Rover offers on the new Defender. Hyundai says there are currently no plans to turn the concept into a production vehicle, but with the return of the Toyota Land Cruiser firing up interest in macho off-roaders in the U.S. we’re pretty confident that Hyundai will offer something similar before long.