Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift Revealed in Unofficial Renderings

Hyundai is preparing a major update for the fifth-generation Santa Fe, and it could go well beyond a typical mid-cycle refresh. Images purporting to show the redesigned rear end have surfaced online, offering an early look at the direction Hyundai may take with the popular crossover. The automaker is also reportedly planning several changes to the SUV's powertrains.

The Hyundai Santa Fe first arrived in 2000, becoming the Korean automaker's first entry in the SUV segment. The fifth-generation model debuted in 2023 with a dramatically different, boxy exterior. For 2026, Hyundai is preparing a substantial update to the current Santa Fe that could bring changes to both its styling and mechanical hardware.

Based on the latest rear-end rendering and recent spy shots, the biggest visual difference could be the taillight design. The current Santa Fe's low-mounted H-shaped lights may give way to a long red LED light bar running horizontally across the upper portion of the liftgate.

At the ends, the light bar is expected to turn downward, creating vertical lighting elements. A slim reflector could also be added to the lower bumper, making the rear of the SUV appear wider.

The “SANTA FE” lettering is expected to sit in the center of the liftgate below the light bar, while the Hyundai badge would remain above it. The license plate could move lower, closer to the bumper. That arrangement would give the middle section of the liftgate a cleaner appearance.

The redesigned rear could be Hyundai's response to criticism of the current model's styling. The liftgate and the elements mounted on it have often been viewed as somewhat bulky, so if the renderings are accurate, Hyundai may be looking to create a more balanced and cohesive design.

The overall proportions of the body don't appear likely to change. The upright rear pillars, boxy roofline and large wheel-arch cladding should remain, preserving the Santa Fe's distinctive SUV profile. The roof spoiler and roof rails are also expected to carry over.

The powertrain lineup, however, could see more significant changes. The Santa Fe equipped with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine may replace its eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a conventional automatic transmission using a torque converter. The reported reason is a series of complaints about low-speed hesitation and jerky shifts from the DCT.

The hybrid Santa Fe, which uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, is expected to retain its six-speed automatic transmission. At the same time, Hyundai is reportedly preparing upgrades to the hybrid system using technology recently introduced in the Hyundai Grandeur.

There have also been reports that Hyundai could introduce an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version in certain markets. Such a setup would combine an electric powertrain with an onboard gasoline engine designed primarily to extend driving range.

The scope of the changes could have an unwelcome effect on the Santa Fe's price. Hyundai's previous updates have sometimes been accompanied by noticeable price increases, and local reports suggest the refreshed Santa Fe could become roughly $2,000 to $2,700 more expensive in its home market.

The current Santa Fe starts at the equivalent of roughly $24,500 in South Korea. U.S. pricing for the updated model has not yet been announced, so American buyers will have to wait for official details before knowing how much the changes will affect the sticker price.