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Look, I love the new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser as much as the next guy. However, while we were all clambering to write every word we knew about the LC, there was another (surprisingly) badass, boxy SUV that hit the market, and no one said nary a word. I’m talking about the shockingly cool-looking 2024 Hyundai Sante Fe. The new Hyundai SUV is so cool looking that it’s hard to believe it came from the circle H peeps. Let’s take a look. 

Is Hyundai making a 2024 Santa Fe? 

A few weeks ago, Hyundai posted images of the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe in all its glory. This new Hyundai SUV is amazing looking. The photos show a boxy, tough-looking, classy SUV that rivals the great redesign of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser. However, seeing the Santa Fe in the real world, the new Hyundai SUV looks even better. 

Now, I should mention we don’t have the new Santa Fe on the ground here in the States yet. In fact, Hyundai still hasn’t officially launched the 2024 Santa Fe yet. But in South Korea, someone photographed the new SUV cruising around sans camo, which looks absolutely brilliant. 

When will the new Santa Fe come out? 

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe sporting an all-new redesign.
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV | Hyundai

The start of the fifth-gen Santa Fe should officially launch sometime in the next few days. The launch is supposedly set for Aug 10 in South Korea, but later this summer for North America. According to Motor1, several prototypes were spotted in the area when the photos were taken. From every angle, this thing looks excellent. It’s hard to think of Hyundai as being this cool, but there it is. Internet people are complaining that the rear end looks too much like a Land Rover Defender. First, so it’s a square? Second, how is that a bad thing? I digress. 

The only real question surrounding the new Santa Fe is, why didn’t Hyundai make this a new model? As a model, the Santa Fe is not cool. Never has been. This new version is such an extreme departure from the last four generations that it is confusing that Hyundai would keep the same name. 

What do we know about the new Santa Fe? 

2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV rear 3/4 view
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV | Hyundai

Hyundai still hasn’t officially launched the new SUV, so most specs are still shrouded in mystery. However, a few details have leaked out here and there. Based on the photos, the 2024 Santa Fe looks slightly bigger than the previous model. Our eyes are backed up by Hyundai saying the wheelbase is actually longer than the outgoing model. You can also see on some of the prototype photos that the “HTRAC” badging is there, which denotes AWD

Another one of the prototypes had a badge that said “plug-in” and a chagrin port on the fender. We still are unclear on what engines these might come with. Although, we know that at least one option will be a turbocharged 2.5-liter, thanks to a 2.5T badge spotted on a prototype. 

Either way, while everyone is drooling about the new Toyota Land Cruiser, they might be missing something else from Hyundai that’s actual pretty cool.