A Big Deal for Hyundai
The Hyundai Tucson isn’t just another name in the automaker’s lineup – it’s Hyundai’s MVP in the US. This is Hyundai’s best-seller, going toe-to-toe with heavyweights like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V in the cutthroat compact SUV arena.
So, no pressure, but Hyundai really can’t afford to mess this one up. After months of buzz and fanfare, the wraps are finally off, and we get our first real look at both the outside and inside of the new Tucson.
Hyundai
More SUV, Less Crossover
The biggest change? You can’t miss it. The new Tucson ditches the soft, space-age curves for a boxier, more upright stance. Think of it as a shrunken Santa Fe with a dash of Elantra-on-stilts thrown in for good measure.
Up front, a slim horizontal light bar stretches across the nose, flanked by vertical lighting at the edges. The grille and bumper look beefier, and the hood and fenders have definitely been hitting the protein shakes.
The sides keep up the squared-off theme, with chunky wheel arches and sharper lines all around. Out back, slim vertical taillights are tied together by a horizontal strip, and the tailgate stays refreshingly uncluttered.
Inside, there’s a massive touchscreen front and center, a sleek digital gauge cluster, and a dash that stretches from door to door. Wood-like trim and soft-touch materials try to bring a bit of warmth to the party. The center console is more open this time, with loads of storage and a much tidier control layout.
Hyundai
What We Know So Far
But don’t get too excited just yet – Hyundai is still keeping plenty of secrets. We don’t know what’s under the hood, what kind of hybrid tricks it’ll have, or even how much it’ll cost.
It also appears that Hyundai’s Pleos Connect infotainment, running on Android Automotive, is already at play here. The big new screen is a dead giveaway, but Hyundai isn’t spilling all the software details just yet. At least we’re seeing tactile buttons under the screen, just as Hyundai promised.
As for powertrains, the current gas-fed Tucson’s 187-horsepower engine is starting to look a bit outgunned as everyone else goes hybrid-crazy. Expect Hyundai to keep electrified options on the menu, and maybe even beef up the base engine.
For now, Hyundai’s playing it close to the vest. The fifth-gen Tucson should land in the US next year, so expect more details and surprises to trickle out before then.
Hyundai
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