2024 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT off-roader revealed at LA Auto show

With the new 'MX5' Hyundai Santa Fe's Land Rover Defender-like looks it needs off-road capability to match.

And Hyundai revealed just the ticket at this year's LA Auto Show with the XRT variant. Designed as a joint flagship with the Calligraphy, the lifestyle-oriented trim promises enhanced rough terrain capabilities along with sportier blacked-out styling.

Hyundai Australia trademarked the XRT name locally in October, though a spokesperson told Wheels the XRT is for the North American market only.

However, the spokesperson did admit to some "light smouldering" – if not quite fire – around the XRT trademark. In other words, there's potential if Hyundai hears enough customer demand.

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Click any image to reveal the full 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe gallery

Hyundai describes the Santa Fe XRT as "an outdoor-focused sport model tailored to the diverse needs of enthusiasts" – and, thankfully, it's more than just a black pack.

It rides on steel springs and traditional dampers (no Defender-esque air suspension with height adjust here) with 30-inch all-terrain tyres (the fitment is 245/60R18) wrapped around beefy black 18-inch alloy wheels.

Hyundai hasn't said whether it's fitted a body or spring lift, but has said the XRT boasts 40mm more ground clearance. Braked towing capacity is rated at 2040kg with the NA-market 207kW 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder.

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Visually, the XRT is set apart from the chrome-heavy Calligraphy with dark chrome and piano black exterior trim, different grille design, black roof rails and bars.

Inside the leather turns to black with 'XRT' debossed into the headrests of the seats. It's otherwise the same vertically laid-out cabin design as the standard vehicle.

As mentioned above, the Santa Fe XRT is not confirmed for Australia and is built for domestic consumption in Alabama, not South Korea where Aussie cars come from.

There is interest in a local introduction, but don't expect the off-road-focused Santa Fe XRT to arrive at launch.

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John Law

Our original story, below, continues unchanged.

August 2023: New Hyundai Santa Fe revealed with 2.5T

After more than two decades in local showrooms, the latest version of Hyundai’s largest SUV, the 2024 'MX5' Santa Fe, will be expected to perform more strongly in the sales race against more fancied rivals, according to company insiders.

Revealed tonight in – where else – Santa Fe, New Mexico, the large, bold and brash Santa Fe will arrive in Australia in 2024, some two years after category leader Toyota dropped its brand new Kluger into the burgeoning large SUV sector.

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Hyundai Australia insiders have admitted to Wheels that the unibody Santa Fe, which on average only manages around a third to a half of the Toyota Kluger’s monthly sales volume, has underperformed down under.

Other unibody-style large SUVs like the Subaru Outback have also traditionally outperformed the Santa Fe, while ladder-on-frame 4x4 wagons, including the Isuzu MU-X and Ford Everest, also sell strongly in comparison.

However, the all-new version of the Santa Fe will push it up and away from its key rivals, most notably from a design front. It’s big and it’s bold, and it cuts a swathe through more traditionalist design – including its own former visage.

While final specs are yet to firm up ahead of its launch, locally-delivered Hyundai Santa Fes are likely to utilise a 207kW/422Nm 'Theta III' turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine from the Sonata as the headline powertrain.

Although there's no information to confirm the drive configuration, images show an HTrac badge on the back. The spec sheets suggest the 2.1-tonne Santa Fe will return a fuel economy figure of 9.0L/100km and hit 100km/h in 8.0 seconds.

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The other option likely for Australia is a hybrid 'Gamma III' 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder.

The petrol engine is good for 132kW and 265Nm and expect the gearbox-mounted electric motor to raise combined outputs near or above the existing car's 169kW/350Nm figure. The supplied specs confirm a 6.5L/100km efficiency rating.

However, there are a couple of notable omissions from the Santa Fe’s specification sheet; both the 2.2-litre turbo diesel and 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 powertrains present in the current Santa Fe will not be available in the 2024 Santa Fe.

Hyundai showed off an image of an off-road concept it's calling the Santa FE XRT – a beefed-up SUV with mud tyres a very Land Rover Defender 130-style safari kit hanging off the side.

It’s bigger in almost every direction; at 4830mm it’s 45mm longer than previously, its 2815mm wheelbase is 50mm longer than previous, and it is 35mm taller at 1720mm. Its overall width remains static at 1900mm, despite those prominent wheel arches.

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Nowhere is that extra length more evident than on the inside.

The second-row legroom has increased by 35mm to 1075mm. and by 20mm to 1055mm in the hybrid-equipped version. Third-row legroom, meanwhile, has increased by 15mm to 761mm.

Hyundai is also claiming best-in-class third-row headroom as well, with the third-row headroom’s height lifting by 69mm to 958mm.

It is also claimed that the Santa Fe’s luggage capacity is up by 91 litres, while tailgate opening width jumps by 125mm.

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Inside, the dash mimics the style of the Sonata and Tucson, with twin 12.3-inch screens mounted side by side on a sweeping curved binnacle, while the electronic gear shifter has been relocated behind the steering wheel.

A mix of digitally accessed controls and traditional dials and switches for climate control and the like combine with a generously wide centre console that’s home to a pair of inductive phone charging pads.

The high-spec version used for press images sported heated seats, push-button start, multi-zone climate control and a digital rear-view mirror that can be used when visibility via the traditional glass mirror is compromised.

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Hyundai has also added an ultraviolet light-based steriliser atop the glovebox, in what is a genuine industry first, that can be used to sterilise items like phones and wallets.

Over-the-air (OTA) software updates for the Santa Fe will negate the need to visit a dealership for some upgrades, while on-board near-field technology (NFC) will allow the use of a phone-based digital key.

The Santa Fe’s suite of active and passive safety features is comprehensive and includes second-generation intelligent cruise control that can moderate speed in corners and keep the car centred within a lane.

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Intelligent speed limit assist, rear-view monitor, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, front/rear parking distance warning, surround view monitor, remote smart parking assist, and safe exit assist are all listed as standard fitment.

Pricing hasn’t been divulged for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, but it’s reasonable to expect that they will increase from their present position, given the increase in specification, new powertrains and increased production costs.

For example, the 1.6-litre HEV-equipped AWD Highlander currently costs $69,500 plus ORCs, while the base model V6 FWD starts at $46,050 plus ORCs.

Expect the range to climb above $50-55K for an entry model and over $70K for a flagship Highlander.