New 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe revealed in New York

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe - revealed at the New York Auto Show

The new Hyundai Santa Fe – a 2013 model by the time it arrives in the UK – has been revealed at the New York Motor Show.

Hyundai revealed the new Santa Fe a few weeks ago, ahead of its debut this week in New York. But now the new Santa Fe has been uncovered – admittedly in US spec – we can see it’s a decent move on from the current model.

The looks of the Santa Fe – which, as we revealed a few weeks ago, will not be the Hyundai ix45 – take on Hyundai’s latest Fluidic design but, apparently, move it on a notch with what Hyundai are calling ‘Storm Edge’, said to be inspired by the shapes created by nature during the formation of a storm. Right.

Daft designer dialogue apart, the new Santa Fe looks good; it’s sharper and smoother, dynamic and appealing and looks a proper mainstream SUV offering that – certainly on looks – should be able to hold its own against anything on the market.

Under the bonnet Hyundai will be offering the 2.2 CRDi diesel with 197bhp and 318lb/ft of torque at the top of the Santa Fe offerings. With a 0-62mph of 9.4 seconds it’s not going to frighten hot hatches, but it’s probably enough to keep buyers happy. They’ll also be happy that Hyundai has reduced emissions to 145g/km.

It looks like there will also be 2.0 CRDi diesel offering too, with 148bhp and 281lb/ft of torque and European buyers will also get the 2.4 litre petrol with 190bhp. Both the 2.2 CRDi and the 2.4 GDI will get a choice of manual or auto boxes, but the 2.0 CRDi is manual only.

There’s a choice of 2WD or 4Wd models across all the engine options, with the 4WD versions automatically going from the normal FWD to 4WD if the going gets slippery. You’ll also be able to override the auto 4WD and lock it on for a 50/50 split at speeds up to 25mph.

Hyundai has also thrown Flex Steer in to the equation across the Santa Fe range which offer a choice of settings – normal, sport and comfort – depending on your mood. Other traction aids include ABS, ESP, VSM (stability management), DBC (downhill braking) and hill hold.

Inside the Santa Fe looks decently premium with lots of toys like adaptive cruise, auto lights and wipers, smart park assist, electric seats, reversing camera, puddle lamps and privacy glass.

It looks like UK buyers will have to make do with a single size Santa Fe, even if they opt for a 7 seat configuration. For the US and Europe Hyundai are offering a stretched Santa Fe (with the regular Santa Fe being called the Santa Fe Sport in the US) with an additional 4″ in the wheelbase, but Hyundai seems to think UK buyers won’t need the extra space (have they been to Gateshead lately?).

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will arrive in the UK at the end of 2012. No prices for the Santa Fe yet – although we’d expect them to start around £25k.

(16 photos – click any thumbnail for full size)

By Cars UK