The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe facelift will soon be making its official launch in Malaysia, as the company recently signed a certificate of mass production with Inokom to begin local production (CKD) of the heavily refreshed three-row SUV at the latter’s manufacturing plant in Kulim, Kedah.
While the facelift model isn’t all that new (you’re thinking of the all-new fifth-generation model, which we’re not getting yet, sorry), it’s still a significant step-up in terms of design, equipment, and even performance over the pre-facelift fourth-generation mode that first made its appearance here in Malaysia back in 2018.
On the outside, the new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe facelift features a significantly refreshed front end, with the new headlight enclosures now joining up with the grille for a neater and more modern appearance. The daytime-running lights have also been tweaked, and now features vertical elements that continue into the headlights, giving it a T-shaped light signature.
With the headlights moved, the front bumper also gets a redesign with a cleaner, more off-road-friendly look thanks to the chunky satin silver trim, underscoring the three-row SUV’s imposing stance. The front fog lamps on the lower bumper has been omitted on the facelift model.
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Moving to the back, the chrome trim that connects the two LED tail lights have now been replaced by a slim illuminated bar to complement the new T-shaped light signature. The bumper has also been cleaned up, with the separate lighting cluster (for the turn indicators and reverse light) now removed.
Interestingly, the facelift update for the fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe has also brought a change in chassis, switching from the previous Y7 platform over to the new N3 architecture that it shares with the all-new fifth-generation model. The change in platform has resulted in a slight change in dimensions, with the new 2023 facelift model measuring 15 mm longer, 10 mm wider, and 5 mm taller than before, albeit an unchanged wheelbase.
The new platform brings along the new shift-by-wire system, which also resulted in an updated centre console on the inside. Without a mechanical linkage, the raised centre console frees up valuable space underneath for more stowage areas, while also opening up more room for other control buttons as well, including a terrain mode selector.
Otherwise, the reset of the dashboard remains largely familiar, save for a new larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display, alongside the fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster behind the steering wheel.
The pre-facelift Hyundai Santa Fe was previously offered in Malaysia with either a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol or a 2.2-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine. The former is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission and a front-wheel drive drivetrain, while the latter gets an eight-speed unit with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options.
It’s unclear if the new 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe facelift in Malaysia will feature the same powertrain options, as the new platform also allows for more eco-friendly alternatives, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Either way, though, do expect an increase in price, as that’s unfortunately just what the economy dictates these days.
The pre-facelift 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was last listed on the Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia website with only two variants on sale, namely the two diesel Executive SE and Executive Plus SE variants, starting at RM196,888 on-the-road and without insurance. Both variants have now been removed from the site ahead of the facelift model’s scheduled launch here in Malaysia.
Aside from the Santa Fe, the company is also set to introduce the all-new Tucson here in Malaysia before the end of 2023, according to a teaser it shared during the launch of the Hyundai Creta here earlier this year.
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