Hyundai renews the Tucson to continue growing

The Tucson is the most global (i.e., best-selling and therefore essential) vehicle of the Korean brand Hyundai. It appeared on the market in 2004, although during its first years of commercial life it was called ix35 in Europe, and since then it has accumulated millions of units sold on five continents. Although the current Tucson is a relatively modern vehicle (it was presented in 2022), Hyundai has decided to turn the page and launch the fifth generation, with a design and vehicle concept radically different from the current one.It is surprising that Hyundai does not opt for a harmonious and similar design line for the various models in its range. In other words, an Audi A3 and an Audi A4 or a Volkswagen Tiguan and a T-Roc are different models, but they maintain a more or less familiar design that identifies them. Hyundai does not want to play this card, and the design of a Tucson, a Bayon or a Kona have little or nothing to do with each other. For the moment, Hyundai's sales and market share indicate that the Koreans, with design centers in Seoul and Rüsselsheim (Germany), have managed to hit the right note to attract buyers from all five continents.A larger and more robust model

The new Tucson is a more assertive and robust vehicle aesthetically and visually, thanks to a body with a predominance of geometric and angular shapes, which give it an extra dose of power and aggressiveness. In addition, the new Tucson grows a considerable 19 centimeters to reach 4.70 meters in length and 1.95 meters in width, positioning it at the top of the segment. The idea that the Tucson was a compact all-terrain vehicle of the C segment just over 4.4 meters long and 1.8 meters high is now a distant memory: the new Tucson is a larger vehicle, which brings a mature, sober and powerful image and redirects its commercial target towards the family audience.

The front of the new Tucson is dominated by LED optical units in the shape of the letter H that run across the entire width of the grille, while the rear ends in three-dimensional prism optical units that provide a sense of depth. The side and three-quarter view is under the visual effect of body creases on geometric and three-dimensional surfaces.The generous dimensions of the body translate into more interior space between the two axles (wheelbase) and a larger opening angle of the rear doors, which facilitate access to the cabin. The interior is topped by a central screen and a digital instrument cluster, but it retains physical buttons for essential controls, such as the audio system volume or the climate control, among others. 

Hyundai has not yet confirmed the mechanical options for the fifth generation of the model, although it should not be very different from the possibilities of the current model, which offers gasoline engines with 150 HP of power and hybrid (HEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions with 239 and 288 HP of power, associated with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive systems. What will possibly disappear is the diesel version with a 1.6 CRDi 136 HP engine, a veteran powertrain that the brand already considers amortized.Finally, the Koreans have also not made public the prices of the fifth generation of the Tucson, which (here yes) will be significantly higher than the current model, which moves in a price range of €35,000 (promotional discounts aside) for the entry-level models with a 150 HP gasoline engine and over €56,500 for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version with all-wheel drive or 4x4 and N Line equipment level.