It was in July when Hyundai unveiled the all-new, 2024 Santa Fe SUV.

Around the world, people were awestruck with the reveal and we can't blame them because the fifth generation SUV is really something new and bears no resemblance to any of its predecessors or to any of the recent models the South Korean auto giant has recently previewed or launched.

With a timeless, elegant and reductive design, the 2024 Santa Fe looks more like a P25-million Range Rover (British luxury SUV) rather than a vehicle with a P3 million or so price tag. Hyundai is expected to start selling its SUV in the first quarter of 2024.

The all-new Santa Fe's design is free of superfluous swoops and creases. It's clean with a boxy silhouette. What's interesting though, is that its designers started with the rear, particularly the tailgate, in coming up with the 2024 Santa Fe's new look.

Hyundai designers call it the "Open for More" concept, which transforms the tailgate into a versatile area and not just a space for storage. Instead, the tailgate — currently the largest in the Hyundai lineup — is designed to serve like a shade of a small patio. According to Hyundai, the wide tailgate seamlessly connects the inside with the outside, expanding consumers' everyday experiences with the SUV.

Perfect balance

SangYup Lee, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Global Design Center, said in a statement: "The all-new Santa Fe is an SUV that finds a perfect balance between city life and the great outdoors, handling everything from busy family itineraries to camping adventures."

"With its longer wheelbase, roomy interior and terrace-like tailgate space, the new Santa Fe leans into its SUV strengths to offer more versatility than ever before with a premium customer experience."

It was revealed that when designers of the all-new Santa Fe presented their idea to their bosses they did not present the usual exterior sketches and instead set up a mock-up of the lift gate area and tried to connect it with overloading and camping.

That was back in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when most Koreans were cooped up in their homes and eager to once again experience  the outdoors. The designers were anticipating that after the pandemic, there would be a massive focus on "staycation" where individuals, families and friends, would go camping to somewhere really far from their homes, which is the idea behind overlanding.

The Santa Fe, which already has a sturdy frame, reliable powertrain, and the best accommodation inside, only needs some tweaking to become that perfect vehicle for exploring the outdoors or for bringing people together over grilled food and select music tracks.

With the lift gate idea getting the bosses' attention the designers' next move was to incorporate the SUV's boxy form to the rest of the Santa Fe.

Reimagined 'H' emblem

Of course, one cannot miss the "H" emblem (an obvious reference to the company) which can be seen in different some parts of the SUV via its H-shaped taillights (repositioned closer to the bumper), H-shaped front headlights, and the H-shaped design on the front bumper area. Indeed, a distinctive Santa Fe presence on the road, day or night.

Seen from the side, the lengthened wheelbase of the all-new Santa Fe accommodates a bold roofline, sharply defined wheel arches, and shortened front overhang which gives this SUV a robust, adventurous look.

As for its interior, the new Santa Fe has also been updated and now features a panoramic curved display, encompassing its 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment system.

Those who've sat in the Hyundai IONIQ 6 electric sedan would find this display, including the steering column mounted-electronic shifter, a bit familiar.

The vehicle's reimagined exterior design, luxurious terrace-style tailgate, and enhanced spaciousness make the all-new Santa Fe a real game-changer in its segment and a radically different SUV.