“What makes a car special is its ability to adapt to society’s needs even if radical changes have to be made to do so\u201d. Hyundai and Genesis Global Design Centre\u2019s Executive Vice President and Head SangYup Lee, stresses the crucial role played by design in the new Santa Fe. \u201cBefore launching a model, we do a thorough analysis of trends and try to predict what the future has in store\u201d, Lee tells us speaking from Hyundai’s style centre in Namyang, South Korea. \u201cThe project got under way five years ago when the pandemic was still to come, but the trend of lengthy out-of-town car trips was emerging\u201d, continues Simon Loasby, Hyundai design chief, connected from London. “A trend that exploded after Covid\u201d, Lee says. \u201cHere in Korea it’s called Chabak and has become highly popular\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Hyundai](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2023110602_HyundaiSantaFe-1.jpg\" "\\"2023110602_HyundaiSantaFe\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Built from the inside out<\/strong><\/span> Square and mighty<\/strong><\/span> Accessibility at the highest level<\/strong><\/span> Working on aerodynamics<\/strong><\/span> Furnishing materials<\/strong><\/span> (Full article in A&D no. 263)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":808,"featured_media":61387,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[2189,2190,2191,2192,403,394,409],"class_list":["post-61492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design-story-en","tag-carlikehome-en","tag-insideout-en","tag-pleinair-en","tag-santafe-en","tag-cardesign-en","tag-design-en","tag-hyundai-en"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-24 00:12:19","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/808"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61492"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61492\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nThe new Santa Fe was thus built “inside-out” starting with the interior which is \u201croomy and practical, and so big you could sleep in it over the weekend sunk in nature\u201d, Loasby continues. A concept that generated original and, when you are first confronted with them, disconcerting shapes: \u201cI remember one of the key moments in the development stage: the moment we presented the wooden model to the top brass and the stunned looks on their faces. They couldn’t tell if it was a concept car or for real\u201d, SangYup Lee laughs. \u201cWe joke about it now, but these were moments of considerable tension because we were determined to achieve this result\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Hyundai](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2023110603_HyundaiSantaFe.jpg\" "\\"2023110603_HyundaiSantaFe\\"")
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\nThe squared-off forms of the exterior are thus a natural consequence of maximising interior space. Surfaces are treated with a taste that Lee describes as \u201curban, not overly aggressive and ready for adventure, as cars like the Land Rover Defender or Ford Bronco can be. The Santa Fe has a powerful, boxy look, but it is geared to an urban lifestyle: we have created a new market segment. It is a car that meets the space needs of families, but it is also suitable for youngsters who can sleep in it if they want to when away for the weekend\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Hyundai](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2023110604_HyundaiSantaFe.jpg\" "\\"2023110604_HyundaiSantaFe\\"")
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\nThe stylistic core of the car is its \u201cboxy design\u201d, where squares and cubes are the shapes that define it and in whose creation the Hyundai design centres in R\u00fcsselsheim (Germany) and Irvine (California) and the central design centre in Namyang played a part. While the front end is linear and the H-shaped headlamp graphics immediately catch the eye, the\u00a0rear is even more striking. The trunk hatch is huge: \u201cWe wanted best-in-class cargo space and accessibility, and we achieved that by removing the taillights from the sides, placing them down inside a horizontal bar. That way there is no bulk and you can easily install all the accessories you need, from tents to equipment of all kinds\u201d, explains Simon Loasby.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Hyundai](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2023110605_HyundaiSantaFe.jpg\" "\\"2023110605_HyundaiSantaFe\\"")
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\nThe Santa Fe’s boxy forms may seem a bit too chunky, but designers did a great job cutting down air resistance. \u201cThe Santa Fe has a Cx of 0.29, a significant improvement over the previous generation. Customer demands for this model mainly targeted space and functionality but not at the expense of efficiency\u201d, Lee continued. Speaking of customer demands, Americans will be pleased to know that each seat has its own cup holder and the multiple interior compartments are decidedly practical thanks to what Loasby calls \u201csmart solutions\u201d. A couple of examples? The platform for disinfecting items with UV light and the big front armrest containing a deep storage compartment that can be accessed from both front and rear seats.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Hyundai](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/2023110606_HyundaiSantaFe.jpg\" "\\"2023110606_HyundaiSantaFe\\"")
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\nThere is no shortage of technology, however: the centre tunnel houses two big chargers for smartphones, while in front of the driver are two 12.3-inch curved displays encased in a single glossy black frame. \u201cYou feel at home in the Santa Fe because in terms of materials, colours and styling you might be looking at modern interior design. We have raised the bar by looking at the premium world\u201d, Lee explained, emphasising the importance of sustainability.<\/p>\n