Hyundai Santa Fe diesel cancelled for the US
Decision restricts SUV to petrol, five-seat only in North America.
The new Hyundai Santa Fe will no longer be offered as a diesel or a seven-seater in the US, according to a new article out of North America.
Green Car Reports received confirmation from a Hyundai spokesperson the Korean manufacturer has decided to cull plans to offer the 2.2-litre turbo-diesel Santa Fe in the North American market – the main powertrain available in Australia.
It also rules out a seven-seat option in the Santa Fe range for the US, with the spokesperson noting the three-row version was going to be diesel only.
The news comes after sister brand Kia killed the turbo-diesel Sorento prior to its planned launch in the States earlier this year. A sharp decline in diesel demand in the US is to blame for both cases.
While that leaves the Santa Fe without a three-row option, Hyundai is replacing the ageing Grand Santa Fe with the full-size Palisade next year – though this still lacks a diesel option.
The report notes, however, that the Santa Fe line-up could be bolstered by hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions in the future, with the powertrains discussed with a Hyundai America executive at the Geneva motor show earlier this year.
In the meantime, two petrol engines will be offered in the US – a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine that is also the entry-level motor in Australia, along with a market-specific 2.0-litre turbo four.
Hyundai's local arm had nothing to add regarding prospects of a hybrid or PHEV Santa Fe.