[IshaanIan]

One can easily make out that it is a product from a less experienced design team: Hyundai.
Confused lines, the cheap looking DRLs, the indicators on the ORVMs designed in because-we-thought-it-was-funky manner and the grille.
Nice find!

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

One can easily make out that it is a product from a less experienced design team: Hyundai.

I wont be so hard on them. They still have the best looking hatchback in the form of i20.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by amitoj

I wont be so hard on them. They still have the best looking hatchback in the form of i20.

Sorry I wasn't trying be hard on them :P Infact from a business POV, their strategy has to be highly respected: fresh design, plenty of features. Which is basically all the masses want. These are relatively cheaper ways in which to shift a car unlike developing and testing a new chassis etc. and result in immediate profits which I am sure every other automobile maker is envious about. Anyway I think what I'm trying to say is that Hyundai doesn't appeal to the enthusiast in me but I sure do appreciate how the company is being run and can make sense of it.
Coming to the design area, this is just me, But while Hyundais of late come with several fussy details and lines to gel with their "fluidic" theme, I don't buy it at all (I think Ford's Kinetic design principles are better developed on). They seem to lack a certain character or x-factor and I believe they will become old very soon. Take the Punto for example; it is an absolute beauty. The Swift; has etched an iconic shape into every Indian's mind. The Beat; while its not my kind, is genuinely funky.
So no, while the i20 is decent and every face-lift keeps it looking new, I cannot agree with the title you have given it. I would have trouble remembering it years later. I am an aspiring automobile designer myself so my views might seem a little odd or harsh :P

[vineethvazhayil]

Are we getting the Santa Fe or the Santa Fe sport in India? The Santa Fe sport is more in the CR-V segment, the Santa Fe is a larger car - 3 row seats also. Media reviews have showered much praise on the 3 row vehicle. It maybe 5 lakhs more expensive though. Also I'm not sure if they have a diesel version of it at all.

[vb-saan]

This probably is the first Hyundai I liked in terms of design. I find this car quite refreshing compared to their current fluidic sedans. And to add-on, Euro-NCAP has rated the Santa FE as the Best in Class Large SUV (Ratings).

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

Are we getting the Santa Fe or the Santa Fe sport in India? The Santa Fe sport is more in the CR-V segment, the Santa Fe is a larger car - 3 row seats also. Media reviews have showered much praise on the 3 row vehicle. It maybe 5 lakhs more expensive though. Also I'm not sure if they have a diesel version of it at all.

They do have a 194bhp 2.2 CRDi diesel. Europe gets both 5-seater and 7-seater options (same dimension but different seating config.).

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

The 3 row Santa Fe in the US is a larger vehicle - making the 3rd row hospitable for normal size human beings. Any insights on what version of 7/8 passenger car are we getting? Europe/US?

Sorry, I should have added this in for reference. Here is a review of the 7-seater from Carbuyer UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIJis...ature=youtu.be

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by vb-san

They do have a 194bhp 2.2 CRDi diesel. Europe gets both 5-seater and 7-seater options (same dimension but different seating config.).

The 3 row Santa Fe in the US is a larger vehicle - making the 3rd row hospitable for normal size human beings. Any insights on what version of 7/8 passenger car are we getting? Europe/US?

[sgmuser]

Less experienced? You gotta be kidding. The fluidic sculpture has threatened even the Toyota's simple lines design concept.look at Rav 4 and Camry of 2013. Also check the Santa Fe's awards, esp 2013 model including US. Last but not least this design concept came Hyundai Design center in Germany. M2c.

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

One can easily make out that it is a product from a less experienced design team: Hyundai.
Confused lines, the cheap looking DRLs, the indicators on the ORVMs designed in because-we-thought-it-was-funky manner and the grille.
Nice find!

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by sgmuser

Less experienced? You gotta be kidding. The fluidic sculpture has threatened even the Toyota's simple lines design concept.look at Rav 4 and Camry of 2013. Also check the Santa Fe's awards, esp 2013 model including US. Last but not least this design concept came Hyundai Design center in Germany. M2c.

Lol I don't mean to offend anyone I just believe they lack character. Oh and toyotas are generally conservative. I did not say that hyundais are bad and have recommended a few to people too. Let's take the curved line which houses the indicator on the orvm. Why is it there? Which theme does it follow? So what if they are from germany?
There are several who believe Hyundai is designing nice cars now. I don't. I think I have justified why not too. Also I did mention that I believe I might be one of the few.

[Shanksta]

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

There are several who believe Hyundai is designing nice cars now. I don't. I think I have justified why not too. Also I did mention that I believe I might be one of the few.

+1
I find the current gen fluidic design's too funky. Not that they look bad but they don't look good too. For eg: the Verna looks a bit blunted when parked next to a Elantra which is very sharp and again makes the sonata look like a old sagging fluidic design when parked next to it. The older i-20 looks better than the newer i-gen. IMHO in the future say 3-5 years from the Vento/Polo or the Fiat's will still look fresh when compared to the Hyundai's.

Though I must commend Hyundai on the Santa-fe it is a looker.

[IshaanIan]

Originally Posted by Shanksta

+1
I find the current gen fluidic design's too funky. Not that they look bad but they don't look good too. For eg: the Verna looks a bit blunted when parked next to a Elantra which is very sharp and again makes the sonata look like a old sagging fluidic design when parked next to it. The older i-20 looks better than the newer i-gen. IMHO in the future say 3-5 years from the Vento/Polo or the Fiat's will still look fresh when compared to the Hyundai's.

Though I must commend Hyundai on the Santa-fe it is a looker.

That is precisely my point. IMO, the only well proportioned car they made is the Elantra, well atleast on the outside :P These fussy designs never age well and after doing some research it turns out there are a few more people who agree like the design directors at Ford and even VW. This has also lead Hyundai to announce that they are toning it down in favour of precision.
Like I said earlier I like how Hyundai has pulled up their socks and are doing something about their cars.

[Shanksta]

@ishaanlan
Even I'm happy the way Hyundai's trying to be different by breaking the mould in every segment. But any car designer would agree that a well designed car is one that is proportionate, catchy, timeless and also 'easy' on the eye.
IMHO: A car should also be designed keeping in mind the number of years it's gonna be produced. Classic example their very own Accent it does not look that old and can still be accepted in this time and age even though it is being manufactured for the past 12+ years. Can't say the same about the other aspects of the accent though.

[275BHP]

Wow. I really like the way this car looks now! I'm certain it will find quite a few takers, if priced well.

Any idea if this car is going to be assembled/manufactured in India?

[599gto]

The only decently designed Hyundai IMHO was the last gen i20. It still looks good enough to be sold in todays market. The Fluidic design language might appeal to some but it just makes the cars look bulkier IMO. The only proportionately designed fluidic variant is the current gen Hyundai Sonata. The Elantra is like a riot in the front and peace at the back, and that big bland and plain rear looks horrible to my eyes.

This SUV does look well proportioned and neatly designed, I am sure it will find a few takers if they sort out the handling and weak chassis issues, as Hyundai has serious after sales presence and the brand is well known amongst the masses, unlike few like SsangYong and even Mitsubishi (Pajero is probably a bigger brand than Mitsubishi itself!). I hope they price it around 20-22 lakh and it will sure find takers.

[sajusherief]

This mass is an eye catcher and definitely will lure buyers if priced aggressive against CRV. Am a fan of Hyundai fluidic design except verna !

[R_R]

Crowd-sourcing really works!! I was wrong about my original guess that this was the new CRV. Clearly, its the new Santa Fe. Is this the first spy photo of the Santa Fe in India??