Hyundai has announced the new Tucson SUV for its global portfolio and we could even have it in India thereafter. Note that this is the 5th generation version, which takes inspiration from the Hyundai Boulder concept that was on display at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. As a result, the exterior styling leans more towards muscular road presence with clean body panels. Design is something Hyundai always experiments with. While one might consider Hyundai’s design philosophy as polarizing, one thing is for sure: the new Tucson is bound to turn heads. Let us check out what we know so far and how it compares to the existing model.
Since design is something the new Hyundai Tucson clearly showcases, let us discuss it first and foremost. The front fascia contains a rather sophisticated and sleek LED light strip, which runs across the width of the face, vertically-oriented LED DRLs on the edges, contours on the bonnet, an uncluttered grille section and a massive skid plate on the bumper down below. One can’t help but notice the simple yet elegant appeal. On the sides is where the muscular components come to the surface.
The front and rear fenders are particularly pronounced, giving the SUV an imposing road presence and a macho demeanour. Furthermore, the creaseless door panels add to that tough personality. I particularly like the side skirtings to complete the adventurous appearance. The alloy wheels are dual-tone and the wheel arches encapsulate these rather well. Towards the rear, the shoulder line rises to meet the slanting roof line. Finally, the tail section also bears a modern appeal with a roof-mounted spoiler, an LED light bar and LED taillamps mimicking the front lighting configuration, and a rugged bumper with a skid plate. All in all, the new Hyundai Tucson certainly carries a noticeable departure from the existing model.
On the other hand, the existing model also bears a distinct appearance. As mentioned previously, Hyundai loves to experiment with its design philosophies that result in the creation of exotic vehicles. The old model comes with a specific grille design which merges neatly into the LED DRLs on either side, making a colossal fascia. The main LED headlamps are positioned on the sides and the bumper bears a sporty character. On the sides, there are more creases than the new model and the alloy wheel design is also comparatively orthodox. At the rear, the Tucson’s trademark is the sharp LED taillamps connected via a light bar and a sporty bumper. Even this version had its distinct charm.
The new Hyundai Tucson comes with an extremely premium-looking cabin with tons of new-age amenities. The dashboard layout is pretty clean and minimalistic with a massive screen sitting at the centre, physical buttons underneath it, a sporty steering wheel, ambient lighting, high-quality soft-touch materials, a premium audio system, and the much-talked-about new Pleos Infotainment System based on Google’s Android Automotive platform with a unique Hyundai interface and its own app store. It won’t be wrong to assume that the level of connected tech in this car will be impressive and will establish a new benchmark.
On the other hand, even the old model is among the most feature-laden products out there. Some of the top bits include a widescreen 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with crisp graphics, a fully digital instrument cluster with customization options, a massive panoramic sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable ventilated and heated driver seat with memory function, handsfree electric tailgate, wireless phone charging, premium 8-speaker Bose sound system, BlueLink connected technology of the new Tucson boasts over 60 features, Level 2 ADAS functions for enhanced active safety capabilities and more.
Now, Hyundai has not confirmed which powertrain the new Tucson will come equipped with. For the international markets, it could continue with ICE, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Just for comparison, the old model in India comes with a 2.0-litre petrol or a 2.0-litre diesel engine making 156 PS / 192 Nm and 186 PS / 416 Nm of peak power and torque, respectively. The petrol variant comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission, whereas the diesel mill pairs with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. There is also a 4WD version with the top model of the diesel lineup. It remains to be seen how Hyundai decides to power the new Tucson when it brings it to our shores.
The new Hyundai Tucson brings a noticeably different design and cabin experience compared to the outgoing model. While the muscular exterior gives it a stronger road presence, the new-generation interior appears to take a bigger step towards minimalism and connected technology. The powertrain details for India are still unclear, so it remains to be seen whether Hyundai retains the familiar petrol and diesel options or moves towards hybrid technology. Overall, the new Tucson looks like a significant evolution, but its eventual India-spec package will determine how compelling it is against the competition. – Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor
Also Read: Hyundai Creta Facelift vs Hyundai Tucson – Which One Suits You Better?
