Hyundai unveils new Tucson with futuristic design overhaul

South Korean carmaker Hyundai has unveiled the fifth generation of its Tucson crossover, with a completely new design, larger body dimensions and an expanded range of hybrid powertrains. According to the manufacturer, European sales of the new model will start once series production begins at the plant in Nošovice, Czechia, planned for December this year.

A bolder design and bigger dimensions

The current Tucson is one of the brand’s most successful cars in Europe: since the first generation launched in 2004, more than two million units have been sold here, and in 2025 the model became the best-selling private C-SUV crossover on the continent.

The fifth generation introduces an entirely new design language called Art of Steel. Hyundai calls the newcomer “the boldest SUV” in the brand’s history, and the difference from the previous Tucson is obvious at first glance. At the front are new H-Edge headlights combining indirect central lighting with illuminated edges, while at the rear are new Prism Rear Lights with a three-dimensional structure. The wheel arches, side creases and overall body proportions are also more pronounced.

Along with the design, the dimensions have grown too: the newcomer measures 4,560 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width and 1,670 mm in height. Compared with the previous generation, the car is 35 mm longer and wider and 20 mm taller, while the wheelbase has grown by 40 mm to 2,720 mm. Wheels from 17 to 20 inches in diameter will be offered, along with several new body colors, including original matte finishes.

A roomier cabin with a focus on comfort

The interior has also changed significantly: at the front, its architecture follows the style already introduced on the Ioniq 3, though Hyundai still promises an emphasis on comfort and ease of use. The dashboard has a two-tier layout with an open storage area, softer trim materials and physical buttons beneath the central display, giving quick access to the most important functions.

Above the steering wheel is a 9.9-inch digital instrument cluster showing basic information, while a 17-inch infotainment display protrudes from the dashboard, running the Pleos Connect system on Android Automotive OS. The system also includes the Gleo AI voice assistant, which understands the context of commands — though not yet in Czech.

A number of small innovations add to its practicality. The center console has two 15-watt wireless chargers, there are four USB-C ports capable of delivering up to 100 watts, umbrellas are hidden in the doors, and the AddGear interface allows various accessories to be attached. Thanks to the larger dimensions, interior space has grown both in the front and rear. Front-seat passengers can look forward to new ergonomic seats with a massage function, as well as seats that recline into a so-called relaxation position.

Depending on the engine version, the rear bench can slide by up to 150 mm, the backrest angle is adjustable, and getting in and out is made easier by a wider door-opening angle. The boot holds up to 695 liters of cargo, and the rear seats fold in a 40:20:40 split.

A smart hybrid and longer range

As before, the Tucson will be available with a wide range of powertrains. The base option is a turbocharged 1.6 T-GDI petrol four-cylinder producing 150 hp, available with a manual gearbox or a mild-hybrid system paired with a dual-clutch transmission. In both cases, power goes only to the front wheels.

The electrified alternative is the full-hybrid Tucson HEV, offering a combined output of 245 hp and 380 Nm of torque. The hybrid comes as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission, optionally offers all-wheel drive, and can tow more than 1.9 tonnes. A feature of the hybrid is the new HEV Stay Mode, which allows the air conditioning, audio system or device charging to keep running even with the combustion engine switched off.

At the top of the lineup is a plug-in hybrid producing 292 hp and the same amount of torque. It uses a 17.1 kWh battery that, according to preliminary figures, will allow up to 81 km of driving on electric power alone. AC charging is handled by an onboard charger rated at 7.2 kW.

Hyundai also announced that on October 12 it will unveil another, more dynamically styled version of the model at the Paris Motor Show.

Read also: How to learn Czech: courses, apps and tutors in 2026

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz