2027 Santa Fe hybrid to rival BYD and Toyota
Hyundai has officially confirmed the first models that will receive its new range-extender (REEV) hybrid powertrain technology. The Hyundai Santa Fe and Genesis GV70 will be the first models. They both will launch in global markets from the first half of 2027.
Range-extender electric vehicles (REEVs) operate differently from standard hybrids. A petrol engine does not directly power the wheels in this configuration. Instead, the engine functions solely as a generator to charge the high-voltage battery pack. All driving power comes from the electric motors, similar to a fully electric vehicle. Hyundai has confirmed that both the Santa Fe and GV70 will utilize a dual-electric motor setup, which likely means all-wheel drive will be standard. The company has not yet revealed which petrol engine will power the generator or the specifics of the motor outputs.
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Both vehicles will feature an in-house designed “high-performance” battery pack. This component is key to the vehicle’s range. Hyundai states the Santa Fe REEV will achieve a total driving range of over 965 kilometers. The Genesis GV70 REEV is expected to offer even more distance, with a claimed range exceeding 1030 kilometers. This battery technology has been developed specifically for this new powertrain to ensure efficiency and range.
Hyundai will manufacture the Santa Fe REEV in the United States at its Alabama plant. It already produces standard petrol and series-parallel hybrid versions of the Santa Fe for the USA. It remains unclear if this production setup will support the Australian launch.
Hyundai has confirmed its Santa Fe REEV is launching in global markets in the first half of 2027. It’s unclear if or when it will come to Australia. Following Genesis launching the GV80 Hybrid, which has a parallel hybrid set-up, the GV70 REEV will be the brand’s first range-extender hybrid when it launches in early 2027. Hyundai has been readying a facelift for the Santa Fe for a while now following the middling feedback to the exterior design and this new REEV powertrain may launch in conjunction with it.
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Few details about the GV70 REEV’s powertrain are confirmed yet, however it will feature an in-house designed ‘high-performance’ battery pack, like the Santa Fe REEV. Genesis claims the GV70 REEV will offer a total range of over 1030km. This new powertrain option for the GV70 will add to the standard petrol and all-electric configurations.
The confirmation of these new REEV models were announced as part of Hyundai’s latest Investor Day. The South Korean carmaker plans to launch over 100 new vehicles across its Hyundai and Genesis brands by 2030. The Santa Fe REEV and GV70 REEV are just two of these models. Other highlights include the new-generation Tucson, a series of body-on-frame vehicles, new EVs and a number of vehicles especially for the Chinese market, like the Ioniq V. Among the other things confirmed at the event, another key point is Hyundai plans to launch a new ‘high-volume performance’ segment by 2030 to sit between N and N Line. It will apparently feature carryover powertrain and parts from Hyundai N, with a focus on value features for daily high-performance driving.
