Since its debut in the South Korean auto market in 2004, the Tucson quickly became a leading mid‒sized SUV for Hyundai, establishing a legacy through generations of evolution. Its appeal resonated globally, capturing the hearts of international consumers with its design, functionality, convenience features, safety, and spacious interior, which, combined with numerous global awards, has solidified Tucson’s exceptional value.
The Tucson has undergone another transformation, refining its design and enhancing its features to solidify its stance as a top global SUV. This significant change comes just three years after the introduction of the fourth‒generation model.
The New Tucson has been meticulously redesigned to offer a bold, sophisticated, and robust demeanor. Embracing Hyundai’s ‘Parametric Dynamics,’ the design evolution involves a wider overall layout. The most noticeable changes are at the front, where the parametric jewel hidden lamps have been reduced from four lines to three, and the radiator grille’s graphics have been streamlined to a thin, angular shape. The bumper and skid plate, extended horizontally with sleek lines, contribute to a strong and broad appearance.
The rear has seen thoughtful modifications as well. The integrated skid plate with the rear bumper extends further, echoing the front’s robust design. The emblem on the rear glass has also been redesigned for a more cohesive look, with the rear wiper extended by 75mm for improved visibility.
The side profile reveals changes in wheel design, enhancing the Tucson’s sharp character lines and robust image. Additionally, two new colors, Pine Green Matte and Ultimate Red Metallic, expand the exterior color options to nine.
The New Tucson N Line boasts a mesh grille, straight‒lined 19‒inch wheels, and sportier front and rear bumpers, emphasizing its dynamic presence. Additional features like an aero fin‒equipped rear spoiler, diffuser, single twin‒tip muffler, and color‒matched side garnish and cladding enhance the N Line’s sporty ambiance.
Significant changes are found inside, where the cabin has been completely reimagined. Despite being a facelift model, the interior has undergone extensive changes akin to a new model. The wrap‒around architecture with a horizontal layout maximizes comfort and space, highlighting the Tucson’s evolved interior.
The most striking interior update is the panoramic curved display, combining a 12.3‒inch digital cluster and infotainment display into a seamless unit, enhancing luxury and driving safety by elevating the display for better visibility.
The New Tucson has significantly improved usability through interior enhancements. While the previous models employed touch‒sensitive buttons for both the infotainment system and climate control, the New Tucson adopts a hybrid approach of touch and physical buttons. As a result, the infotainment system can be conveniently operated with two dial knobs and eight buttons, and the climate control is easily manageable through capacitive touch controls and two temperature adjustment knobs.
Another notable change in the New Tucson’s cockpit is the gear shift lever, now relocated to the steering column. Unlike the previous Tucson, which had shift buttons on the center console, the New Tucson features a column‒mounted shift lever, adding intuitive usability and freeing up space on the center console for a wireless smartphone charging tray. The floating console design further expands the open tray space beneath, signifying a thoughtful consideration of user feedback in the redesigned climate and audio controls, and the column‒type transmission.
A new open tray on the passenger‒side dashboard provides storage for small items like phones or wallets. Additionally, ambient mood lighting in the console tray, open trays, and door pockets elevates the interior’s finish. The introduction of a new tri‒tone shade ‒ green, black, and gray ‒ combination for the interior, along with new punching details and quilting designs on the seats, marks a noticeable change.
The New Tucson extends a warm welcome to its occupants with a plethora of convenience features. The implementation of Hyundai Motor Group’s next‒generation infotainment system, ccNC (Connected car Navigation Cockpit), stands out, offering a range of content including natural language voice recognition, media streaming, and real‒time navigation. Features can be continuously updated to the latest specifications via Over‒the‒Air (OTA) wireless software updates. The newly applied Digital Key 2 allows the use of smartwatches and smartphones as car keys, enabling door locking/unlocking and engine start. It also allows sharing usage rights with up to 15 devices.
Additional features such as the built‒in cam 2, an in‒car fingerprint authentication system, touch sensor outside handles, and a 12‒inch head‒up display (HUD) significantly enhance the convenience specifications. The HUD, in particular, adopts a windshield type with a new GUI and boasts excellent daytime visibility with a brightness exceeding 16,000 candela.
The New Tucson also doesn’t skimp on safety features, incorporating various specifications to protect not only the passengers but everyone on the road. It includes Forward Collision‒Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind‒Spot Collision‒Avoidance Assist (BCA), and more. The addition of a second‒row side airbag to the eight‒airbag system, second‒row safety belt pretensioners, and radar sensor‒based Advanced Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) ensure top‒class safety.
Furthermore, features like Smart Cruise Control (SCC S&G) with stop‒and‒go capability, Navigation‒based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) that recognizes curves and speed zones on highways, and Parking Distance Warning (PDW) for the front, side, and rear provide an even safer and more comfortable driving experience.
The New Tucson’s powertrain lineup includes a 1.6 Turbo Gasoline, 2.0 Diesel, and a 1.6 Turbo Hybrid. The 1.6 Turbo Gasoline engine delivers a maximum output of 180 horsepower and a maximum torque of 27.0 kgf·m, while the 2.0 Diesel engine boasts a maximum output of 184 horsepower, featuring a lightweight design with high‒strength aluminum block and optimized architecture.
The electric motor in the New Tucson Hybrid has been upgraded from 44.2kW to 47.7kW, enhancing the combined power of the electric motor and the 1.6 Turbo Gasoline engine to a system total output of 235 horsepower, with a system total torque of 37.4 kgf·m. The New Tucson Hybrid boasts a combined fuel efficiency of 16.2 km/L (based on an 18‒inch, non‒built‒in cam model). The inclusion of E‒Motion Drive ensures superior driving performance and comfort, with the E‒Ride 2 feature minimizing pitching during acceleration to enhance ride comfort.
The New Tucson has been equipped with an Auto Terrain Mode that enhances driving performance by dynamically adjusting the driving mode based on real‒time road conditions. Moreover, efforts to increase quietness are evident. The New Tucson features a 2‒way dynamic damper on the front struts to control resonance and has extended the application of double‒laminated acoustic glass to the first‒row door windows. Notably, the double‒laminated acoustic glass for the first row has been standardized across all trims to enhance quietness. Additionally, reinforcements have been added to the floor carpet, front wheel guards, enlarged C‒pillar sound‒absorbing materials, B‒pillar sound‒absorbing materials, and the cover under the driver’s seat.
Despite being a facelift model, the New Tucson encompasses changes that transcend its class. The evolution of its design, while maintaining the essence of the Tucson, coupled with significant enhancements in interior space and features based on customer feedback, deepen the value and appeal of the New Tucson. With these elements, the New Tucson is set to establish new standards in the mid‒sized SUV market once again.
HMG Journal Operation Team
group@hyundai.comPursuant to the Creative Commons License (CCL) 2.0, all users can copy, distribute, and transmit Information available on the Hyundai Motor Group Newsroom, or use it for exhibitions and performances. Please note, however, that all information is protected by copyright. Information users must use the information available on the Hyundai Motor Group Newsroom for strictly private/personal purposes only.
HMG Operation Policy