The Santa Fe XRT name has been familiar to U.S. buyers since Hyundai introduced the appearance package for the latest generation model in 2024, exclusive to the gas version. At the Thai Motor Expo 2025, Hyundai showed something unexpected: a rugged Santa Fe XRT Concept based on the hybrid variant, created to gauge interest in a more adventure-oriented trim for Thailand.
I saw the Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Hybrid on the show floor, and the concept previews what an electrified Santa Fe Hybrid for outdoor enthusiasts could look like. The model uses the 1.6-liter turbo hybrid system, which produces 232 horsepower in Thailand, matching the output of the U.S.-spec Santa Fe Hybrid.
Design
The front fascia retains the H-shaped lighting signature, but the vehicle wears a more purposeful stance thanks to a revised suspension setup. The wheel wells are filled by black Lenso alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop Grandtrek all-terrain tires, one of the key changes compared to the highway-biased wheels offered in the U.S.
A full-length roof rack system spans the top of the SUV. Mounted on it is a rugged equipment box designed for camping or utility gear. A ladder is attached to the rear side to provide roof access, highlighting the adventure-focused theme.
These accessories give the concept a slightly different look from the U.S. Santa Fe Hybrid, which prioritizes smoothness, fuel efficiency, and family-oriented comfort over all-road capability or light off-roading.
The concept’s contrast-colored cladding, dark window trims, and blackout wheels lead to a more utilitarian look. The suspension modifications raise the ride height slightly compared to the standard hybrid, enabling it to handle more challenging terrain.
Hyundai Thailand describes the XRT Concept as built for “true ruggedness,” and the equipment visible on the vehicle justifies that positioning, though we would have liked additional differences like unique side cladding and an outdoorsy body color. There are no changes to the interior of the concept.
On the U.S. Santa Fe Hybrid
The U.S.-spec Santa Fe Hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter turbo engine with a permanent-magnet electric motor to produce a combined 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of system torque. It uses a 6-speed automatic transmission and is available in FWD or HTRAC AWD configurations. Ground clearance for the hybrid is 7.0 inches, and towing capacity is 2,000 pounds.
TopElectricSUV says
The Thailand-spec concept is attracting plenty of interest from the local public. It effectively illustrates what an XRT-style hybrid could look like, and I was told by the officials at the stall that Hyundai wants to study its response carefully before making any plans for the local market.
For now, a rugged Santa Fe XRT Hybrid exists only as a Thai-market experiment, but the platform clearly supports the combination if Hyundai ever chooses to bring it stateside.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
