Hyundai Motor Co. on Monday launched the updated 2015 Sante Fe midsize crossover, the latest version of one of the carmaker's steady sellers, in its home market.

The popular SUV comes with an optional tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), smart tailgate, a 220-volt inverter to recharge various portable devices, and collision warning systems.

South Korea's No. 1 carmaker said the two-row, five passenger version will be sold with the R2.2-liter diesel engine for the first time, promising better performance over the R2.0-liter engine offered in the past. Hyundai initially only offered the 2.2L engine for the three-row, seven-passenger Sante Fe.

The company said the base 2L model, with front-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission, will start at 28.17 million won

(US$26,500) and rise to 33.18 million for the fully loaded Exclusive Special trim.

For the 2.2L version, the base Premium model starts at 30.65 million and rises to 34 million won with all the bells and whistles.

The SUV is sold in overseas markets, such as the United States, as the Sante Fe Sport.

The company, the flagship of Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest automotive conglomerate, said it also started selling the 2015 model year Maxcruz, called the Sante Fe long wheelbase abroad.

The larger version of the Sante Fe will get an additional gasoline engine option.

The V6 3.3 Lambda engine version can generate 290 horsepower and 34.8 kilogram-meter of torque. 

The car will, moreover, get a paddle shifter and alloy peddles as options. It, too, will get a TPMS, various collision warning systems, including blind spot detection, and a smart hands-free tailgate.

Prices for the R2.2 Exclusive will begin at 33.73 million, and rise to 35.9 million for the Exclusive Special. The prices are for front-wheel drive models with automatic gear boxes. (Yonhap)