The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe has just been revealed and is pretty much everything we expected. This popular Korean SUV has crisp, bold styling with vague 80s influences. That’s just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which recently made its debut in the performance EV segment thanks to the 2025 Ioniq 5 N which is coming to the US next year. So could there be a Santa Fe N? We think so.
A few years back, Hyundai saw there was a huge need for affordable performance vehicles with bold styling. The N division was established in 2012, and in 2014, Albert Biermann famously became the head of vehicle testing. By 2017, production vehicles were rolling out, featuring turbocharged engines and a trademark color called Performance Blue.
Due to the success of the N vehicles, Hyundai also introduced the N Line for cars which still features interesting upgrades but have softer suspension. The best example is the Sonata N Line with its 2.5 turbo, often compared to the Camry TRD.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe will undoubtedly feature an N Line trim level, following in the footsteps of the smaller Tucson. However, this article is about the potential of Hyundai to develop a 2025 Santa Fe N, a high-performance SUV.
In theory, there’s no need or demand for it. A lot of Kia and Hyundai buyers want fairly reliable engines with good gas mileage. However, something like this can boost the reputation of the brand, especially in the United States. Demand for boxy SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco is huge, and emphasis is sometimes placed on high-output turbocharged engines.
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One good example of this is the Bronco Raptor, a Baja 4×4 for the road. However, there are also more conventional sports SUVs. A plug-in hybrid V6 with 400-500 horsepower would be ideal for the Santa Fe N. Having a PHEV would justify the high price and may even result in some tax credits (the Santa Fe is made in Alabama).
Hyundai already made a Santa Fe PHEV, so they just need to continue their research and upgrade from the 1.6-liter engine to something like the 2.0-liter turbo or 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder motor.
The design is what really sells the idea of a 2025 Santa Fe N. The Korean performance SUV is perfectly envisioned in these renderings from AutoYa. They added all the distinctive elements of existing N models, such as the Performance Blue paint, red pin striping, and black body kit. It also brings bigger air intakes with honeycomb grilles, big alloys, and red brake calipers.
They’ve also rendered the interior, which is fantastic, almost as good as a BMW M car. The N-specific steering wheel has special colored buttons and dials, while carbon fiber trim is added to the dashboard and doors. Several colorful leather choices could brighten up the cabin, making that commute more exciting.
