2019 Hyundai Santa Fe: US Release Date, New Security Features Revealed

South Korean automotive manufacturer Hyundai Motor has just unveiled the latest iteration of its Santa Fe midsize SUV. The company says its new car comes with advanced security features that ensure the safety of its passengers.

Korea Herald reported Tuesday that Hyundai’s 2019 Santa Fe is the first upgrade in the five-seater model series in six years. The outlet also noted how the redesigned Santa Fe borrows some exterior design elements from the Kona compact SUV and Nexo fuel cell electric vehicle. Check out the new Santa Fe’s appearance here.

“Made on human-centered philosophy, we meticulously considered customers’ requests. Going beyond its role as transportation, we believe the new Santa Fe is a life companion,” Director of Hyundai Motor’s User Experience Planning Group Hyo-lin Kim said during the media preview held at Hyundai Motor Studio in central Seoul.

The all-new Santa Fe is equipped with new and advanced technologies including Safe Exit Assist, Rear Occupant Alert Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. These Calm-tech features have human machine interface that not only ensures the safety of passengers through the use of sensors and computers, but also addresses the emotional needs of onboard passengers.

The standout security features of the 2019 Santa Fe are the industry’s first Safe Exit Assist and Rear Occupy Alert Monitor. “The company focused on making the Santa Fe a 'human-centered' vehicle that allows the driver and passengers to experience some advanced safety functions,” Hyo-lin said.

The Safe Exit Assist feature was developed by Hyundai, so that its cars can automatically lock rear doors when it senses vehicles that are approaching from the back. On the other hand, the Rear Occupant Alert Monitor gives voice warnings to drivers when they turn off the engine and open the doors while someone is still occupying the rear seat. Should the driver fail to notice the warnings, emergency lights are turned on and a text message is sent to the driver’s phone.

Yonhap has learned that while Hyundai is set to start accepting preorders for the 2019 Santa Fe on Feb. 7, the new midsize SUV will not hit local showrooms in South Korea until late February. Hyundai is then releasing the new Santa Fe in the United States this coming summer. Official pricing and the specific release date will be revealed at a later time.

Last year, Hyundai’s sales in major markets such as China and the U.S. declined because of diplomatic row and the lack of upgraded models. This year, the company aims to sell a total of 4.68 million vehicles, which is slightly larger than the 4.51 million units it sold in 2017.