Hyundai’s Best-Selling SUV Is Getting A Boxy New Look

Hyundai’s Top-Seller Is In the Lion’s Den

The Tucson is at the top of Hyundai’s US sales charts, but it hasn’t been easy for the nameplate. It’s fighting in the most cutthroat segment out there, with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 breathing down its neck. And if that wasn’t enough, the Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-50, Chevy Equinox, and Nissan Rogue are all gunning for the same prize.

So, the Hyundai Tucson isn’t getting a nip and tuck for its fifth generation. Instead, it looks like the Korean marque is going for a full personality transplant.

We haven’t seen the real deal yet, but the folks at Kolesa have whipped up some renderings based on spy shots, giving us our best look yet at what Hyundai might be cooking up.

A Tougher, More Upright Design

The renderings show a Tucson that’s ditched its old curves for a more upright, squared-off look. Forget the swoopy lines of the outgoing model – the new one is all about clean edges and classic SUV attitude.

Up front, the Tucson borrows some tricks from the Santa Fe and Nexo, rocking a slim light bar that runs the width of the nose. Vertical lights frame a chunky rectangular grille, and the hood is longer and flatter than before, making the whole thing look more planted and ready for action.

From the side, it’s all sharp angles and squared-off wheel arches, with a straighter beltline and a taller greenhouse for good measure. Flush door handles and beefy wheels seal the deal, while out back, vertical taillights are tied together by a skinny light bar stretching across the tailgate.

All in all, it looks like Hyundai wants the Tucson to channel its inner adventurer – even if it’s still a family hauler at heart. The design is way more Santa Fe than old Tucson, which should help the whole lineup look more like it actually belongs together.

Here’s What Else We Know

Spy shots back up the renderings, showing a boxier shape and what appears to be a totally new cabin. Rumor has it the Tucson could arrive with Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment system, but there’s also talk that Hyundai might keep more physical buttons around, since everyone’s getting tired of playing whack-a-mole with touchscreens while driving.

We don’t know what’s under the hood yet, but expect Hyundai to tweak the standard engine and maybe even borrow a turbo from the Santa Fe. Updated hybrids are almost a given, since everyone else is racing toward electrification.

The fifth-gen Tucson should break cover toward the end of the year. If these renderings are on the money, Hyundai’s best-seller might just end up with the boldest look in the compact SUV game.