Big brand's new hybrid family SUV takes shape: 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe shown in digital renders as updated version of 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year winner to usher in new looks and extend range hybrid to take on 2026 Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger

The Hyundai Santa Fe may have just been named the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year, but the brand isn’t resting on its laurels with a new look version coming soon.

Spy shots of heavily camouflaged test vehicles have been surfacing online with increasing regularity.

Now digital artists at Kolesa have crafted some digital renders to give us an idea of what might be lurking underneath the shape-hiding paint of the prototype vehicles.

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Despite its strong sales, the Santa Fe’s polarising looks have been the only noticeable chink in its armour.

The blocky square profile of the current version is reminiscent of an old Land Rover Discovery, but the rear end tail-light placements and styling give it a bit of a wonky look.

The new versions will fix that with Range Rover-style vertical tail-lights to help give it more defined rear-end styling rather than the bottom-heavy look of the current version.

The Pixel-style front headlights could be replaced by a light bar that runs the length of the bonnet, which are complemented by more jagged daytime running lights (DRLs).

2027 Hyundai Santa Fe digital render. (Image: Kolesa)

A more conventional design could catapult it ahead of the segment-leading Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger.

The new-look Santa Fe is expected to go on sale until 2027 and should come with a few mechanical changes.

It will likely ditch the current eight-speed dual-clutch auto from the turbo-petrol variant in favour of a conventional eight-speed auto.

Sister brand Kia has made a similar move in its Sportage, ditching a dual-clutch for a more city-friendly standard eight-speed auto transmission.

@carsguide.com.au The Hyundai Santa Fe is the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year! #hyundai #santafe #caroftheyear #cartok ♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au

There are reports the Santa Fe is in line for a range-extender hybrid set-up.

Range-extender hybrids — also known as Range Extender Electric Vehicles (EREV) — use a petrol engine purely as a generator for a battery that powers electric motors, which drive the wheels. The battery can also be charged by plugging into a charger or household powerpoint.

An EREV combines the fuel thriftiness of plug-in hybrids but delivers the driving prowess and fast acceleration of electric cars.

There are no details of the EREV set-up yet, but it is expected to deliver more than 1200km of driving range with the fuel tank and battery combined.