Hyundai’s Santa Fe, fully redesigned and launched as the MX5 last August, continues to receive mixed reactions, particularly regarding its bold, angular styling and low-positioned taillights.
While the SUV’s increased cargo space and camping-friendly features are widely appreciated, design critiques have impacted its broader reception. Sales figures reveal a noticeable gap compared to its rival, the Kia Sorento. A newly released rendering hinting at potential facelift directions attracted public attention.
Four-Line Pixel DRL and Simplified Front Fascia
The rendering was created by the YouTube channel’ New York Mammoth.’ It blends Santa Fe’s design with elements from Hyundai’s flagship SUV, the Palisade. The most noticeable update is a shift from the H-pattern daytime running lights (DRLs) to a vertical pixel layout that wraps around the edges, offering a cleaner and more upscale look.
The integration between the headlights and grille has also been updated. Borrowing the Palisade’s design language, the new layout seamlessly connects the upper grille to the headlamps, improving visual unity. The DRL signature is slimmed to four vertical lines—down from five on the Palisade—preserving model hierarchy while complementing the Santa Fe’s slightly narrower stance.
The MX5’s busy bumper lines are toned down, resulting in a more stable and refined front profile. The distinctive H-shaped trim remains on the bumper, maintaining the Santa Fe’s unique visual signature. Vertical air curtains add a sporty edge. The SUV’s boxy silhouette is preserved, suggesting that interior space—a major selling point—remains intact.
Rear Design Remains a Challenge
This rendering stands out for its effort to better align Santa Fe with Hyundai’s evolving SUV design direction. While Hyundai has worked to unify its styling language across models like the Ioniq series, Palisade, and Nexo, the Santa Fe has often been cited as an outlier. This proposed update attempts to bridge that gap by blending existing identity markers with a more cohesive look.
The refined front end, with updated lighting and a more integrated grille, can be interpreted as an effort to reposition the Santa Fe more clearly within Hyundai’s broader lineup. Whether these changes will be enough to address ongoing design criticism remains to be seen. Hyundai’s official facelift plans have not yet been confirmed.
If adopted, this updated design could present a valuable opportunity for Santa Fe to strengthen its market presence by balancing bold SUV traits with brand alignment. Online reactions to the rendering have been mixed. While some praised the cleaner front end, others pointed out that the rear design still needs improvement, and many agreed that repositioning the rear lights could significantly enhance the vehicle’s overall look.
