Hyundai Tucson: A Solid Success in the Compact SUV Market
Hyundai’s Tucson may not be able to compete with top-selling SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, but it has still managed to carve out a solid success for itself in the compact SUV market. Despite its slightly strange face and angular bodywork, buyers have been drawn to the Tucson, proving that looks aren’t everything when it comes to choosing a vehicle.
With the mid-life refresh of the Tucson, Hyundai has decided to stick with the winning formula that has worked for them so far. While we can’t be entirely sure until Hyundai reveals the final product, the slimmed-down camouflage on the front of the SUV suggests that the changes will be limited to new lights and some minor grille and bumper tweaks.
There were speculations that Hyundai might add a full-width light bar to the front end of the Tucson, similar to what they’ve done with other new vehicles like the facelifted Elantra and new Kona. However, the latest pictures indicate that only a mildly tweaked version of the segmented daytime running lights (DRLs) will be featured, and the fang-style rear light clusters will likely receive only minor changes.
Under the hood, it is expected that the Tucson will offer similar engine options as the current model. In Europe, buyers can choose between 1.6-liter petrol engines with either 148 hp (150 PS) in front-wheel drive or 178 hp (180 PS) in all-wheel drive, both with mild hybrid assistance. There are also two 1.6-liter options with more substantial electric boosts – a 226 hp (230 PS) full hybrid and a 261 hp (265 PS) plug-in model.
In the United States, the Tucson range looks slightly different. The entry-level mild hybrids available in Europe are replaced with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 hp (190 PS). However, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid upgrades are still available for American buyers.
The current Tucson was launched in September 2020, a year after being previewed by the Vision T Concept. It is expected that Hyundai will reveal the facelifted version of the Tucson this fall, with sales beginning in early 2024 for some markets. However, it is uncertain if the United States will have to wait until the 2025 model year to get their hands on the updated SUV.
In conclusion, while the Hyundai Tucson may not be able to keep up with the top-selling SUVs in terms of popularity, it has still managed to find success in the compact SUV market. With its mid-life refresh, Hyundai has chosen to make subtle changes to the exterior design and engine options, sticking with what has worked for them in the past. The facelifted Tucson is set to hit the market in the coming years, and it will be interesting to see how it fares against its competitors.