Boxy new Hyundai Tucson breaks cover

Hyundai has revealed the fifth-generation Tucson, and the medium SUV’s familiar sharp-edged look has been replaced by a much tougher design.

Shown first in South Korea, the new model adopts the brand’s ‘Art of Steel’ design language, previewed by the Nexo hydrogen SUV, swapping the current car’s parametric styling for a square bonnet, upright glasshouse, squared-off wheel arches and heavy lower cladding.

A slim full-width LED bar runs across the nose, joined by vertical daytime running strips to form an elongated H, while the headlamps sit low in the bumper within dark housings. The rear mirrors the treatment, with a matching light bar, vertically stacked lamps and TUCSON lettering across the tailgate.

The global model grows to 4700mm long, 1905mm wide and 1685mm tall, with the wheelbase stretched 30mm to 2785mm. Rear headroom improves by 29mm and the back doors now open to 83 degrees, up from 73, which should help with child seats and less mobile passengers. Hyundai will also build a shorter body for some markets, with Europe expected to take the smaller car. Which version New Zealand receives is yet to be confirmed.

Inside, the current car’s twin 12.3-inch displays make way for a layout shared with the coming Ioniq 3, pairing a slim, high-set driver display with a large central touchscreen running Hyundai’s new Pleos infotainment software. Physical controls remain below the screen, including climate buttons, heated seat switches and volume and tuning knobs. A conventional column-mounted shifter replaces the rotating unit used in the current car.

The two-tier floating centre console houses a pair of wireless phone chargers with storage beneath, and higher grades feature open-pore wood trim, upholstered dash surfaces and no gloss black plastic. Four interior themes will be offered globally, alongside five new exterior colours including Redrock Orange Matte.

Hyundai has also shown a rugged XRT variant with a unique grille, larger skid plates, black arch extensions, bespoke wheels and a touch-operated LED tailgate lamp. Previous XRT versions have not been sold here.

Powertrains are still to be announced, though a revised version of the current 1.6-litre hybrid is expected to headline the range, with petrol and plug-in hybrid options likely depending on market.

The current Tucson is one of Hyundai New Zealand’s strongest sellers, and with European sales expected during 2027, a local arrival late that year appears most likely. Hyundai New Zealand is yet to comment on timing or specification.