The seven-seater is an important car for Hyundai in the US, but there will be no UK sales for long-wheelbase Santa Fe
The new seven seat Hyundai Santa Fe will not be sold in the UK, company sources told Autocar at the car’s Los Angeles motor show launch.
The new model is for the US market only, where it will be sold alongside the five-seat Santa Fe, badged Sport. Essentially the same vehicle, the longer car has an extra 100mm added to the wheelbase, increasing the length by 216mm.
Rear legroom is increased by 50mm, and there’s the option of a second row of captain’s chairs, which reduce occupancy to six. The third row is a split-fold bench seat. Although the Santa Fe won't be making its way over to this side of the Atlantic Ocean, it is a key offering for Hyundai in the US market.
Hyundai CEO John Krafcik said: "Our offerings at that size have previously held us back – the Entourage and Veracruz sold 20,000 between them, and while I won't state a goal here, we are confident that we now have a best-ever offering in the segment."
Krafcik also hinted that the Korean car maker might fall slightly short of its 2012 US sales target of 700,000 cars – but not for a lack of customer appetite for Hyundai products. They are currently on target, but can't build enough Accent or Veloster to meet demand.
"It's not a bad problem to have," admitted Krafcik.