Hyundai’s new Tucson SUV has been revealed, featuring a dramatic new design that the company describes as “brutalist”. The fifth-generation model of Hyundai’s best-selling nameplate takes on the company’s new ‘art of steel’ design philosophy, characterized by sharp creases, blunt panelling, and crisp details.
The new Tucson is 35mm longer and 35mm wider than its predecessor, with a 40mm longer wheelbase to maximize space inside. The rear doors open much wider for better access to the rear seats, and the European Tucson has a more steeply raked rear window angle than other global markets.
New Design and Features
The use of indirect light is a key feature of the new Tucson’s design, with full-width light bars at the front and back, and vertical, crystal-like brake lights. The car also features chunky wheelarches and roof rails, giving it a rugged and imposing appearance.
Hyundai is offering the new Tucson with a range of paint color options, including two matte finishes – a dark blue and a ‘rich walnut’ color. Eduardo Ramirez, head of European design, says “matte finishes bring out all of these three-dimensional shapes we’re developing”.
The company has also confirmed that a more dramatically styled version of the Tucson will be unveiled at the Paris motor show, likely to be an N-Line trim. The previous Tucson was already a decent place to spend time, but Hyundai has improved the new generation, aiming to make the Tucson feel more like a living room than a car.
The interior features rounded edges on many of its surfaces, including the door armrests, centre console armrest, and dashboard structure. The material quality is impressive, and the car gets a range of new tech features, including a shallow instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen that runs Hyundai’s new Android-derived Pleos Connect infotainment system.
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The system includes an AI assistant named Gleo, which can be talked to naturally, and a range of ADAS functions, including a ‘memory reverse assist’ that can back out exactly the same way you drove in, and a ‘ground view monitor’ that allows you to see ‘through’ the bonnet using cameras.
Rear legroom and boot space are both impressive, thanks to the increased wheelbase. The car will be available with a range of engine options, including a manual transmission, which will be mated to a 148bhp turbocharged petrol engine.
Hyundai UK has confirmed that the manual version will be available in the UK, although it’s likely to be a niche seller. They expect the two hybrid models – a full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid – to be much bigger sellers in the UK. The hybrid model uses the same engine mated to a 1.49kWh battery and e-motor, generating 242bhp, while the PHEV has a larger 17.1kWh battery and generates a total system output of 288bhp.
Hyundai says a 50-mile electric driving range is possible with the PHEV. The new Tucson will be available early 2027, with the first deliveries landing around March. Prices for the UK haven’t been confirmed yet, but expect a bump up compared to the old model. Hyundai is keen to point out that the new Tucson offers a range of features and technologies that will appeal to buyers in the UK and across Europe.
Christopher McKinnon, European head of product, notes that the manual and full ICE model are more relevant to certain markets, such as Turkey, where price sensitivity is a key factor. However, Hyundai is committed to offering a range of options to buyers, including the manual transmission, which will be available in the UK.
Availability and Pricing
A writer who tested the new Tucson’s infotainment system found it to be fast, glossy, and responsive, but rather menu-heavy.
