2027 Hyundai Santa Fe Spied With Bold New Face and Potential Range-Extended Powertrain

Daily Car

28/01/2026

Hyundai is gearing up for a significant refresh of its popular Santa Fe SUV, with prototypes recently spotted undergoing cold-weather testing. This mid-cycle update appears to bring substantial design changes, particularly to the front fascia, and hints at an innovative new powertrain option.

Key Takeaways

The 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe will feature a redesigned front end with smaller, lower-mounted headlights.
A wider grille and new vertical LED daytime running lights are expected.
The rear design will also be updated with new vertical lighting units and a revised bumper.
An all-new Pleos Connect infotainment system based on Android Automotive OS is likely.
A new range-extended powertrain option is rumored to join the existing engine choices.

Exterior Evolution

The most striking changes are evident at the front of the facelifted Santa Fe. The current model's squared-off headlights and H-shaped daytime running lights are being replaced by sleeker, smaller units positioned lower on the bumper. This repositioning allows for a significantly wider grille, flanked by vertical LED daytime running lights that also serve as turn signals. While details are still obscured by camouflage, the rectangular mid-mounted intake appears to be retained, alongside a revised lower intake with a more prominent central sensor.

The rear of the SUV also receives a makeover. The current light bar and H-style taillights are giving way to new vertical lighting units that mirror the design cues found at the front. The bumper has also been redesigned, appearing more curvaceous compared to the angular design of the outgoing model.

Interior and Powertrain Updates

Although interior spy shots were not available, it is anticipated that the Santa Fe will receive updates, most notably the integration of Hyundai's new Pleos Connect infotainment system. This system, built on Android Automotive OS, is expected to debut later this year.

Rumors suggest that the facelifted Santa Fe could introduce a new range-extended powertrain. This innovative option would likely complement the existing engine lineup, which includes a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, as well as a hybridized 1.6-liter turbo that delivers a combined 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.

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