2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim offers rugged, off-road styling

Updated Aug 05, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

This or the standard model?

Hyundai announced the addition of the new Santa Fe XRT trim in the U.S. market, which features a rugged and bolder appearance as compared to the standard model. It gets variant-exclusive exterior styling details that make it look like it is shying away from the nameplate’s usual premium appearance.

Hyundai Santa Fe XRT front view

A more rugged-looking finish

Upfront, the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT comes with a new face thanks to its new black lower bumper, dark silver skid plates, and matte-black grille. This new front fascia replaces the plain-looking silver trim found on the standard model.

The sides are added with XRT-exclusive black door side moldings, XRT-exclusive side steps, XRT-exclusive 18-inch dark alloy wheels, and black mirror covers. Meanwhile, the rear-end of the XRT bears a new black lower bumper fascia molding and dark silver rear skid plates.

Hyundai Santa Fe XRT rear view

New XRT features are added all around the exterior

But the upgrades are not only for cosmetics that make it look more like an off-roader. Hyundai also included black roof side rails and cross rails up top so drivers can haul more cargo on the go. These complement the blacked-out features found on the rest of the XRT’s body.

Under the hood, the new trim will be using the same engine as the Santa Fe SEL, which is a 2.5-liter Smartstream GDI/MPI 4-cylinder gasoline engine that makes 191 hp and 181 Nm of torque. It sends power to either the front wheels or all wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic, a system that allows drivers to override the system and shift to manual gear function.

Hyundai Santa Fe front view

A new impression to the Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe XRT is now out in the U.S. market. Hyundai Philippines, on the other hand, currently shows no plan in adding the XRT to the local Santa Fe model. It could be a great option for those Filipino car buyers who are looking for a rugged-looking midsize crossover.

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Know more about Hyundai Santa Fe 2024

Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe is a five-door seven-seater mid-size crossover SUV. In the Philippine market, its three available variants are the entry-level GLS 2WD, the GLS AWD, and the top-spec Calligraphy AWD. These are priced at Php 2,410,000, Php 2,540,000, and Php 3,100,000 respectively. 

Propelling the Santa Fe are two powertrains. For the Calligraphy, it gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged Smartstream gasoline engine that can output 277 horsepower and 422 Nm of torque. The GLS trims meanwhile, get a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter Smartstream gasoline mill that puts out 191 hp and 246 Nm of torque.

Both GLS trims use an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the top-spec Calligraphy variant uses an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The GLS is available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive (AWD), while the Calligraphy is exclusively AWD. 

Size-wise, the GLS trims are 4,830mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,770mm in height. The Calligraphy has the same length and width, but it is slightly taller at 1,780mm. 

Locally, the Hyundai Santa Fe competes against the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Subaru Evoltis, GAC GS8, and Ford Explorer, among others. 
 

₱ 2,410,000 - ₱ 3,100,000

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Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

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