2013 Hyundai Santa Fe: secret pictures

The images - published by Hyundai-Blog and enhanced by Auto Evolution - show the large SUV with Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language.

The curvy lines and rounded headlights, tail-lights and front grille of the current Santa Fe have made way for more angular lights and a prominent hexagonal grille, reminiscent of the smaller ix35 and the i40 Touring wagon.

The vehicle pictured is not believed to be the final production design, and some elements – notably the tri-bar chrome grille – are likely to differ for some markets.

Powertrain details remain scarce at this stage, although four- and six-cylinder petrol engines and a four-cylinder turbo diesel will almost certainly be available across international markets.

The facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe will debut at the 2012 New York auto show in April.

Hyundai Australia has not confirmed when the all-new Santa Fe will arrive in Australia. The seven-seat medium SUV received some minor 2012 Model Year upgrades in November, suggesting the current model is likely to continue in our market for the majority of this year at least.

Hyundai sold 4442 Santa Fe SUVs in Australia last year, down 4.4 per cent compared with 2010. It maintained its 5.5 per cent share of the medium SUV market, and was the sixth-most-popular vehicle behind the Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger and Prado, Holden Captiva 7 and the Mitsubishi Pajero.