Should the Toyota Prado be worried? 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe details confirmed, Australian launch confirmed

We've already seen what the new 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe looks like thanks to official images and preliminary information released by Hyundai in July, but the South Korean brand has now confirmed more specific details of its next-gen large SUV.

Set to go on sale in Australia in the first half of 2024, the new Hyundai Santa Fe will aim to become a more "outdoor-focused" family SUV in its fifth generation, with more interior space thanks to a longer wheelbase and a "terrace-like space" for its tailgate opening.

Into the Santa Fe badge's 24th year - the first generation made its debut in 2000 - "premium comfort and convenience features" are a major focus, with a total of four drivetrain options set to be available globally - two of which are likely on the cards for Australia.

Already confirmed for Korea and North America is a pair of engines - a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine aided by a hybrid system with a 132kW output, and a turbocharged 2.5-litre petrol engine with a 207kW output.

For Europe, the hybrid 1.6-litre already mentioned is joined by a plug-in hybrid version of the same with a 114kW output.

Hyundai says another non-turbocharged version of the 2.5-litre engine - that one good for 143kW - will be available in "other regions" though didn't specify if Australia is included in this.

Currently, the main two engines available here are a 200kW/331Nm 3.5-litre V6 and a 148kW (but torquey 440Nm) 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four, and are joined by the top-spec 1.6-litre turbo hybrid good for 169kW and 350Nm.

While the new Santa Fe's engine line-up will be confirmed closer to the local launch, expect to see at least the turbocharged 2.5-litre and traditional hybrid 1.6-litre versions based on previous engine line-ups and Australian buying habits.

The new Santa Fe is 4830mm long, 1900mm wide and 1720mm tall with a wheelbase of 2815mm. Hyundai claims a 725-litre cargo capacity for the large SUV, though doesn't specify in what seating arrangement this is - highly likely without the third row in play.

For the design and features of the new Santa Fe, Hyundai prioritised "living space" by increasing headroom and legroom for the second and third-row passengers, as well as adding convenient features like independent power reclining for the second row in the six-seat version, as well as dual wireless charging for devices, digital key capabilities and over-the-air (OTA) updates for the car's software.

The Santa Fe will also come with a UV "sterilisation tray" found in the glovebox, a first-of-its-kind feature that can be used for sterilising "frequently used items, such as cell phones, wallets".

A dual curved 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and multimedia display dominates the dash, while the brand is moving to normalise a steering column-mounted shifter.

Expect more details to be confirmed specifically for Australia closer to the local launch in the first half of 2024.