India-bound 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe (facelift) leaked - Spied

29/05/2015 - 09:48 Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai, Spy pictures Anjan Ravi

Expected to have its unveiling in Korea in the coming weeks.

Here are the first uncamouflaged spyshots of the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe (facelift) which is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe front leaked — The 2016 Santa Fe's front sports the bulk of changes. There are no changes to the rear of the SUV.

Front of 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Review — Image of the front of the current Santa Fe added for comparison.

Up front, the grille gets mildly revised chrome elements, while the bumper is all new. Designers have given the SUV new foglights with chrome enclosures and an aggressive chin which is unseen on the pre-facelift Santa Fe.

Over to the sides, the 2016 Santa Fe's B-pillars and window lines get a chrome treatment that replace the gloss black finish on the existing SUV. Further, the 10-spoke alloy wheels appear to sport a polished finish as compared to the dull finish of the current model. However, there are no changes to the rear of the Santa Fe facelift.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe rear leaked — The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe will get an e-4WD system, according to reports.

Hyundai Santa Fe at Auto Expo 2014 rear — Rear of the current Santa Fe added for comparison.

The 2016 Santa Fe will reportedly be the first mass-produced hybrid SUV for Hyundai with its new e-4WD system. Essentially, the engine will power the front wheels while an electric motor will be in-charge of the rear wheels of the SUV, thus eliminating a propeller shaft. The electric motor will get its power from a battery which will be charged by regenerative braking, or reportedly through a plug-in feature.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe side leaked — For the Indian market, the Santa Fe facelift is expected to continue using the 2.2-liter diesel engine.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Review side static — Side profile of the current Santa Fe added for comparison.

Also read: 2016 Hyundai Tucson has a 2.5 month waiting period, production increased

The Santa Fe facelift is expected in India sometime next year. Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) launched the SUV at the Auto Expo 2014, and an update two years down the line may keep interest levels high in the product.

[Source: The Korean car blog]