U.S.-Spec 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Debuts in the Big Apple

Hyundai took the wraps off the U.S.-spec 2019 Santa Fe crossover at the 2018 New York auto show, and the utility vehicle destined for our market packs a long list of standard active driver assistance features in addition to the first-ever optional diesel engine. The all-new 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will be sized similarly to the outgoing Santa Fe Sport while the three-row Santa Fe will be a carryover from the current generation called the Santa Fe XL. A new three-row crossover with seating for up to eight passengers will slot above the Santa Fe with a new name. In terms of exterior dimensions, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is 2.8 inches longer and 0.4 inch wider than the outgoing Santa Fe Sport and rides on a wheelbase that’s 2.6 inches longer.

Sporting Hyundai’s latest crossover design language, the 2019 Santa Fe has an aggressive look that some may find controversial with its split headlight clusters and new cascading grille. Under the hood, the familiar 2.4-liter I-4 with 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque will be standard while a 2.0-liter turbo-four that Hyundai estimates will generate 235 hp and 260 lb-ft is optional. The 2.2-liter turbodiesel I-4 will arrive in 2019 and is expected to make 190 hp and 322 lb-ft. All three engine options will come paired exclusively to an in-house-built eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard while all-wheel drive with an electronic active control system between the front and rear axles is optional. Opting for all-wheel drive also replaces the torsion beam rear suspension in the front-drive model with an independent, multi-link setup.

With the gas engines, the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe will seat up to five passengers; however, diesel-powered examples will offer an occasional-use third row, bringing seating capacity up to seven. You do take a small hit to cargo capacity because diesel-powered Santa Fes with the third row have a max volume of 70.7 cubic feet versus the two-row model’s 71.3 cubic feet. Hyundai’s latest infotainment system will be standard on the 2019 Santa Fe, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration and a 7.0-inch touchscreen on lower trims (higher-grade models get a larger touchscreen). Available options include an 11-speaker Infinity audio system, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and navigation.

All 2019 Santa Fes will come standard with Hyundai’s Smart Sense suite of active drive assistance features. This includes high beam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning,  blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert. New additions include rear automatic emergency braking and the safe exit system, which prevents the door from opening if the car detects a vehicle approaching from behind.

The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is expected to go on sale by August of this year.

Source: Hyundai

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