The upcoming mid-cycle refresh for the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe (MX5) has officially surfaced in outdoor-oriented XRT guise. Captured on video by our colleagues at Healer TV , this domestic-market prototype reveals critical styling cues showing how Hyundai plans to sharpen its boxy midsize SUV with rugged flair.
Tucson XRT-Inspired Rugged Aesthetics
The most striking revelation from the prototype is how closely its off-road styling aligns with the Tucson XRT:
Aggressive Front Grille & Fascia: Beneath the mesh camouflage, the front bumper incorporates silver lower skid garnish and blocky grille insert motifs that mirror the Tucson XRT's trail-focused face.
Subtle, Cohesive Rear Bumper: While the controversial low-set lighting arrangement of the pre-facelift MX5 undergoes a major overhaul for the mid-cycle refresh, the rear lower bumper on this XRT prototype adopts sculpted dark matte chrome accents and a restyled skid plate.
Better Proportions than Palisade XRT: Compared to the heavier, bulkier visual treatment on larger sibling prototypes like the Palisade XRT, the Santa Fe's boxy architecture integrates the rugged hardware more naturally.
Dedicated Wheels and Thicker Rubber
True to the XRT moniker, the prototype sports distinctive rolling stock tailored for mild trails and broken pavement:
Custom XRT Wheel Caps: The chunky, geometric alloy wheels ditch the traditional stylized Hyundai "H" emblem on the center caps, carrying dedicated XRT branding instead.
Higher-Profile All-Terrain Tires: Rather than the low-profile rubber found on Calligraphy and street trims, this test mule wears noticeably thicker sidewall tires designed for rim protection and enhanced gravel dampening.
Broader Upgrades Expected for the Santa Fe Refresh
Beyond the rugged cosmetic package of the XRT model, the facelifted Santa Fe is poised to receive substantial mechanical and tech updates:
Interior Overhaul: Transitioning from the curved panoramic cluster to Hyundai's next-gen tablet-style center display powered by the Pleos Connect OS.
Transmission Shift: Swapping the previous 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) on 2.5L Turbo variants for a smoother, heavy-duty 8-speed torque-converter automatic to eliminate low-speed hesitation.
Powertrain Diversity: In addition to revised 1.6T Hybrid and 2.5T gasoline configurations, Hyundai is introducing an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) variant projected to deliver over 600 miles of driving range.
Launch Window
The facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe is expected to make its official debut in late 2026 or early 2027, with the adventure-focused XRT model arriving alongside standard and hybrid variants in major markets.
Comments
1 commentsI am really hoping the XRT will come with EREV powertrain.