- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Hyundai Refreshes Santa Fe, Expands Bayon SUV Lineup
Spy shots reveal redesigned Santa Fe and next-gen Bayon with hybrid, N Line variants
Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:31pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Hyundai is making significant updates to two key SUV models in its lineup - the midsize Santa Fe and the subcompact Bayon. The Santa Fe is getting a major facelift with a redesigned front and rear, moving away from its previous rugged look to a more premium, aerodynamic style. The next-generation Bayon is also growing in size and presence, with a boxier SUV stance, hybrid powertrain options, and an N Line performance trim, potentially encroaching on the territory of Hyundai's larger Kona SUV.
Why it matters
The Santa Fe refresh and Bayon redesign are critical moves for Hyundai as it looks to reinvigorate sales in the highly competitive midsize and subcompact SUV segments. The Santa Fe's previous rugged styling alienated some buyers, while the Bayon's expansion could impact demand for the brand's Kona model. These updates aim to better align Hyundai's SUV lineup with evolving customer preferences for more premium, efficient, and versatile offerings.
The details
The facelifted Santa Fe will incorporate Hyundai's latest "Art of Steel" design language, with a redesigned front fascia featuring slimmer headlights and a more refined four-bar grille. The body sides will be sleeker with horizontal molding, while the rear will have vertical taillights linked by a full-width horizontal brake light bar. These changes give the Santa Fe a less boxy, more aerodynamic stance. Mechanically, all 2.5L turbo Santa Fe models will switch from the controversial dual-clutch transmission to a torque-converter automatic. The Santa Fe hybrid will continue with its 1.6L turbo engine and six-speed auto. The next-gen Hyundai Bayon, codenamed BC4, has grown significantly in size, with a boxier SUV silhouette and a longer wheelbase for more interior space and cargo capacity. It will offer a hybrid powertrain option and a sporty N Line trim, potentially encroaching on Kona sales as a more efficient and affordable alternative.
- The facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe is expected to debut in late 2026 or early 2027.
- The next-generation Hyundai Bayon is expected to make its global debut in 2026.
The players
Hyundai
A major South Korean automaker that is expanding its SUV lineup with updates to the Santa Fe midsize SUV and the next-generation Bayon subcompact SUV.
Kona
Hyundai's existing subcompact SUV model, which could face competition from the larger, more efficient, and sportier next-gen Bayon.
What’s next
Hyundai has not formally confirmed specifications or launch dates for the next-generation Bayon, but automotive news outlets expect a global debut in 2026, with production versions appearing first in Europe and Korea before rolling out to other markets.
The takeaway
Hyundai's updates to the Santa Fe and Bayon SUVs demonstrate the brand's commitment to staying competitive in the rapidly evolving midsize and subcompact SUV segments. By refreshing the Santa Fe's design, improving its powertrain, and significantly expanding the Bayon's capabilities, Hyundai is positioning these models to better meet the needs of modern SUV buyers seeking a balance of style, efficiency, and practicality.
