Hyundai’s Family SUV Shows Unexpectedly Badass Prerunner Potential

Hyundai’s fifth-generation Santa Fe amounted to quite a redesign, as the Korean SUV donned a boxier look unlike any of its predecessors.

Moreover, thanks to the visual overhaul, the model now not only looks far more upscale but also features added utility because of a cavernous tailgate. Top it off with some XRT digs, and it leans way more rugged.

All the same, it’s not exactly something you’d peg as prerunner material at first blush. The long roofline and three-row seating make it more appropriate for carpool duty than crashing dunes.

Sand-ready Santa Fe

That is, unless you happen to share the vision of the ever-talented Khyzyl Saleem (the_kyza). As part of an ongoing series with Hyundai, the pixel master whipped up the sweet Baja-ified Santa Fe render shown before you.

Hyundai USA / Khyzyl Saleem via Instagram

The concept itself stems from the brand’s comments section, as Hyundai canvassed its followers for some candidates of what to create. Far-fetched as it might sound on paper, though, Saleem’s efforts translate the idea well.

After all, around the front it reads a little Ford Raptor with its wide grille, flared arches and bumper. In combination with the desert-ready rubber, light bar and IFS setup, it undoubtedly looks like a pre-runner from head-on.

However, even the side profile and rear manage to give a convincing impression of a factory Hyundai competition off-roader. The dramatic, sweeping wheel arches preserve just enough of the body lines, and the truncated rear bumper reveals a solid axle and tube chassis.

Hyundai USA / Khyzyl Saleem via Instagram

Wearing the same taillight signature as the cars you find on the road, it provides an especially dramatic contrast against touches like the integrated spare tire carrier and extended roof spoiler design.

Hyundai’s ongoing effort

While this rig is likely only to exist in the feeds of Instagram, that’s not to say that it’s impossible.

Hyundai USA / Khyzyl Saleem via Instagram

After all, many of Khyzyl Saleem’s projects have made the jump to the physical world before. From E36 body kits to the howling V12-powered TWR Supercat, the designer’s work isn’t confined to digital reality.

Moreover, Hyundai has worked with Saleem before on other concepts, so the pair are certainly enjoying a healthy working relationship. Previously, the_kyza re-imagined the brand’s Ioniq 5N as a Group B rally car, complete with auxiliary headlights and a massive wing.

Of course, in the absence of any powertrain specs or some kind of concrete plans for production, these are ultimately only dreams.

Still, Hyundai has previously expressed interest in the segment, and this initiative makes it clear that the brand wants to make those off-road aspirations known. Without Khyzyl Saleem, we wouldn’t even know what we might one day be missing out on.

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