The 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe has been officially confirmed as the automaker’s first extended-range electric vehicle outside of China, offering a combined driving range of nearly 1000 kilometers.
How the Santa Fe EREV Powertrain Works
Unlike traditional plug-in hybrids where the internal combustion engine can send drive directly to the wheels, extended-range electric vehicles operate closer to pure electric vehicles paired with a generator. The Santa Fe EREV’s petrol engine functions solely to charge the onboard battery rather than mechanically driving the wheels. The vehicle utilizes dual electric motors and is capable of traveling approximately 966 kilometers without stopping, relying on a battery pack that is less than half the size of a standard battery electric vehicle.
Global Release Timeline and Market Rollout
Production for the new powertrain is scheduled to begin at Hyundai’s manufacturing facility in Alabama, United States. CEO José Muñoz confirmed that the Santa Fe EREV will launch in North America during the first half of 2027. While a Hyundai spokesperson confirmed that EREV models are slated for release in Australia, concrete details regarding availability, timelines, and pricing for other regional markets like New Zealand remain unannounced.
Expanding the EREV Lineup
The Santa Fe platform is currently offered globally with traditional petrol, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains depending on the specific regional market. Following the Santa Fe rollout, Hyundai plans to introduce a luxury Genesis EREV flagship SUV designed to deliver a combined driving range of 1030 kilometers. Although Hyundai is also preparing an EREV version of its wedge-shaped Ioniq V for the Chinese market, the Santa Fe EREV stands out as the company’s first confirmed global product to feature the extended-range technology.
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