Hyundai Gives The Santa Fe Another Bold New Look for 2027.

While the current Hyundai Santa Fe SUV still seems pretty new, it is due for one of these “mid-cycle refresh”. Sale numbers haven’t been that great and Hyundai is working on a new face, and more, for their mid-size SUV. The illustration above from NYMammoth shows what the revised 2027 model could look like.

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

However, many design elements feel less cohesive in person. And many materials don’t quite deliver a premium impression. There’s also a heavy use of black plastic cladding, which usually does’t give out such a quality vibe. On anything, or anyone. 

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. It looks like this is a category where buyers prioritize comfort, usability, and familiarity over borderline weirdo 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 “unusual” 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.

My old Aunt Faye used to get one of these “refresh” once every 10 years or so. Some more successful than others. (last one was a disaster). 

Let’s hope Hyundai does better with the Santa Fe.