The new Hyundai Santa Fe is to gain hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
As part of an ongoing electrification plan by Hyundai, the two additional engine variants are expected to be introduced within the next 18 months.
The announcement was made at the launch of the new seven-seat SUV in Barcelona, although the Korean brand's executives remain tight-lipped over the finer details.
UK customers are so far confirmed to be offered only the 2.2-litre diesel engine, but it’s likely that both electrified variants will make it the UK upon the new model's arrival. Other markets get more engine options, including a 184bhp 2.4-litre diesel and a 232bhp 2.0-litre petrol.
Hyundai plans a range of 16 electrified cars by 2025 under its Hyundai and Kia brands, with the most recently announced being a 48V hybrid version of the Tucson. The mild hybrid Santa Fe is expected to share its powertrain with that car. This outputs 183bhp from its 2.0-litre CRDi engine and 16bhp from its 48V system, which is supplied by a 0.44kWh battery.
Details of the Santa Fe's plug-in powertrain are as yet unknown, but it’s unlikely that it’ll be the same system as is used on the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid, given the size difference between the two models. If an existing powertrain is used, it’s likely to be the 2.0-litre petrol from the Kia Optima PHEV. Industry trends suggest that the plug-in hybrid Santa Fe will be able to achieve an electric-only range of around 30 miles.
The Optima PHEV, Kia Niro PHEV and Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid are the plug-ins currently produced by Hyundai and Kia, while the Ioniq Hybrid and 48V-assisted Hyundai Tucson and Kia Niro are the non-plug-in hybrids.
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