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New Hyundai Santa Fe to spawn hybrid variant

Don't look for an electrified new-generation Santa Fe to hit dealers soon, though.

Chris Paukert Former executive editor / Cars
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
Hyundai

Hyundai is launching its all-new fourth-generation 2019 Santa Fe SUV later this year with a pair of gas engines, and a new diesel engine option is poised to follow in early 2019. But that's not all that's coming for the company's dramatically restyled new crossover: A hybrid model is on the way.

"We will have [a] hybrid version for the facelift," said Hyundai product planner Jong Hoon Chae, suggesting the electrified model is at least a few years away. The surprise news was revealed during a Q&A session in Seoul at a media event on Thursday.

It is not clear if the powertrain will offer a plug for enhanced EV range, or if it will be a conventional hybrid. It is also not immediately known if US dealers will get this powertrain variant, but it seems highly likely given that Hyundai acknowledges that North America is the Santa Fe's main market. 

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2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is a slickly styled family SUV

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