2012 Hyundai Santa Fe revealed

• 'Teaser' image of new Santa Fe revealed
• Car on sale autumn 2012
• Car could be called ix45 in Europe

More Information

• More pictures

Latest News

• Latest car deals
• 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo 4WD CVT review
• Our cars tested: weekly updates
• Ford aftersales available for all owners

The new Hyundai Santa Fe has been previewed, ahead of its public debut at the New York motor show next month.

Hyundai has released two 'teaser' images of the car, although in truth they leave little to the imagination. They show a well-proportioned SUV with a strong development of Hyundai’ hexagonal grille at the front and a strong crease running along the side doors. There’s also an unusual extra crease above the rear wheel, giving the car a slightly higher shoulder line.

Hyundai says the car demonstrates ‘Storm Edge’ design principles, and states that many of the cues on the new Santa Fe will make it onto the rest of its SUV line-up. It’s a more sharp-edged look than that used on Hyundai’ most recent SUV launch, the ix35. It's said that Hyundai has been frustrated by that car’ reception compared with that of its sister vehicle, the edgy, chunky Kia Sportage, and is giving its SUVs bolder styling as a result.

There’s likely to be just one engine offered in the UK: Hyundai’ 2.2-litre turbodiesel. However, we’d expect efficiency gains that will help to lower CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy. There will be a choice of manual and automatic transmissions, too - although all models will have four-wheel drive.

The Santa Fe will continue to be offered in five- and seven-seat configurations, allowing it to take on not only the Kia Sorento, but also the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander.

Hyundai refers to the vehicle as the ‘third generation of Santa Fe’ - and it will continue to carry that badge globally. However, Hyundai Europe has changed the names of vehicles before (the current ix35 is known as Tucson in other markets) and the latest SUV has been linked to a switch to the ix45 monicker.

Regardless of its eventual badge, the new ‘Santa Fe’ is due on sale in the UK in late autumn, priced from around £24,000.