Hyundai engineers may be fine-tuning the next generation Santa Fe understood to wear the ix45 monicker in select markets, but the Australian division is paying no mind to that development. They have introduced a moderate update for 2012 with new features such as matching skid plates, chrome tail garnish, roof racks and fog lamp surrounds finished in black on the two highest variants, perforated leather seats on the top-end variant and 18-inch alloy wheels.
For the 2012 model, Hyundai fits hill descent control on all variants but for the entry-level SLX manual. The powertrains remain unchanged with the 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine with all-wheel drive, and the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine driving the front wheels.