Hyundai adding cheaper family SUV: 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe petrol locked in to join hybrid version as it hunts down the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento and GWM Tank 500

Hyundai’s bold looking seven-seat Santa Fe family SUV is preparing to land in Aussie showrooms.

The popular car brand has already confirmed the hybrid version of the Santa Fe will arrive this month but we now know the petrol version will arrive later this year.

Hyundai says the Santa Fe will arrive in the final quarter of this year, we expect the turbo-petrol SUV to land in dealerships around Christmas time.

Petrol versions use a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that makes 206kW and 422Nm and is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It is available in either front- or all-wheel drive layouts.

Hyundai hasn’t confirmed prices for the petrol variants but the outgoing model is priced from about $46,000 (before on-road costs), so it is likely to arrive in the low-$50,000 range. The new hybrid range kicks-off from $55,500. 

The petrol range will mimic the hybrid line-up: starting with the simply named Santa Fe, moving up to the Elite and then to fully-loaded Calligraphy.

Base example buyers can choose between front- and all-wheel drive with all-paw grip costing an extra $3000.

The Elite and Calligraphy are all-wheel drive only.

The Santa Fe is a bold looking SUV with dynamic H-shaped headlights and a light bar across the front grill. It has a boxy silhouette similar to older Land Rovers.

Buyers of the entry Santa Fe can expect 20-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and back and rear privacy glass.

The Santa Fe will come with front- and all-wheel drive layouts.

Inside, there are dual 12.3-inch digital displays – one for the multimedia and one for the driver’s instruments – and cloth seats.

Safety is comprehensive with 10 airbags and a mass of active driver aids.

There is plenty of in-car tech including the brand’s connected Bluelink app, over-the-air update capabilities and smartphone mirroring paired with a wireless device charger.

All-wheel-drive versions get multiple driving modes including Snow, Mud and Sand.

Elite versions up the level of standard kit with synthetic leather-appointed seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat and a second wireless device charger.

It ditches the base versions’ six-speaker stereo for a premium Bose sound system.

The new Santa Fe has a more upmarket interior.

Full fruit Calligraphy variants up the luxe factor with plush Nappa leather upholstery, sunroof and power adjustment for the front-seat passenger.