SangYup Lee, the design head of Hyundai and Genesis, takes us on a tour of the new Santa Fe, which features a drastic departure from its predecessors and other Hyundai models.

This seven-seater SUV has a more robust and less rounded stance compared to Hyundai’s previous 4x4s and SUVs.

“It’s a big change compared to the previous model,” says Lee. The design direction of the new Santa Fe represents a “risk” that was later justified by the introduction of modern SUVs such as the Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco.

According to Lee, this model is one of Hyundai’s largest and its success is crucial. “Four-and-a-half years ago, we first started this project,” he explains. “We always check big data information to forecast future trends. This was before the pandemic, and one key word that stood out was how ‘outdoors’ culture had become mainstream. We chose the direction to cater to both urban and outdoor lifestyles.”

“When you have a box-style SUV, the proportional balance is crucial,” says Lee. “It features a simple body surface with ample volume, supported by up to 21-inch wheels, which is unheard of in this segment.

“Despite its boxy shape, we wanted to add more precise detailing. Aerodynamics posed a challenge. From an aero engineers’ perspective, a boxy car is considered an ‘aero disaster.’ So, this was one of our challenges.

“The car achieves a 0.29Cd drag coefficient. We put a lot of effort into aerodynamics. It is equipped with an active aero shutter on the front, which is unusual for this segment. Additionally, it has a vertical air curtain that assists in aerodynamics, and the round wheel openings contribute significantly to improved aerodynamics.

“It’s like back in the day with the Porsche 993: the rear fender flare has a softer shape towards the back. Originally, it had a more angular design, but we realized it didn’t enhance aerodynamics.”