2027 Hyundai Santa Fe Could Get Even Weirder.

The current generation Hyundai Santa Fe still seems pretty fresh. And yet, after just over two years on the market, Hyundai is already preparing an important refresh for the 2027 model year. We have already seen tons of spy shots and illusrations, showing what the revised Santa Fe could look like. And today, we’re adding one more to the collection.

Hyundai appears to be working on a new face and rear lights, while keeping most of the existing body panels intact. You know, the usual mid-cycle “facelift”. Something my Aunt Faye has been doing as well every 10 years or so.

When Hyundai revealed the current Santa Fe, it marked a dramatic shift. The previous generation’s smooth, conservative styling was replaced with a boxy, upright design featuring H-shaped lighting and squared-off proportions. The whole thing looked pretty striking in photos.

However, many design elements feel less cohesive in person. And certain materials don’t quite deliver the premium impression. There’s also a heavy use of black plastic cladding, which can come across as more cost-driven than intentional.

The previous-generation Santa Fe sold over 131,000 units in the U.S. in 2023. After the redesign, it dropped to around 113,000 units in 2024. So far, 2025 hasn’t shown a strong rebound.

It looks like this is a category where buyers tend to prioritize comfort, usability, and familiarity over bold experimentation. And yet, it seems Hyundai is getting ready to make the Santa Fe even weirder looking than ever. Go figure…

The midsize SUV segment rarely rewards radical design. Boring sells and weirdo designs aren’t that popular. If the Santa Fe refresh doubles down on the more polarizing aspects of the current design, I’m afraid the sales trend may continue.