New Hyundai Santa Fe spyshot

[observer]

Hyundai has been on a new-product blitz, bringing to market one new vehicle after another. So far Hyundai has introduced the Tucson and the Sonata, and has put out official information on the Azera.

Still to come is an all-new Hyundai Santa Fe sport-utility vehicle. These photos capture a prototype Santa Fe without any front-bumper disguise, thus giving us a clear view of the SUV's new looks.

With the new Hyundai Tucson filling the role of compact SUV in the model lineup, Hyundai is now free to grow a larger Santa Fe and move it up a size class to compete with larger SUVs like the Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The increased size will allow the Santa Fe to have a third row of seats for the first time.

The new Santa Fe will be built on a platform that is shared with the new Hyundai Sonata sedan, and the Santa Fe will also be built in Hyundai's new plant in Montgomery, Alabama.

Styling is fresh and ditches the voluptuous looks of the current Santa Fe in favor of a look with a large, forward-sloping grille. The rounded shape of the front end gives the new Santa Fe a unique design by eliminating the typical protruding bumper used on every other SUV.