The Hyundai Tucson turns 20 years on the market and remains a bestseller

The Hyundai Tucson was born in 2004, inspired by the city of the same name in Arizona, in the United States. It is a compact SUV designed to appeal to lovers of adventure while also handling city journeys with ease. Its safety features, robust appearance and more than acceptable off-road capabilities have made it an indispensable part of the range.

The second generation of the Tucson arrived five years later, in 2009. In this new incarnation it lost some of its rugged image and took on a sharper, more attractive look overall. It was at this point that the model name was changed to ix35 in some of the markets where it is sold.

The change of name was not the only thing that made a difference. Various aspects of the car were also improved, such as fuel consumption, more modern safety equipment and better performance. In 2015 the third generation arrived, bringing new improvements and technological features such as the infotainment system and ADAS.

In addition, the model grew in size and 19-inch alloy wheels were offered as an option. It was during this generation that the N Line sporty variant was launched. With this third generation the model reached a higher level of acceptance and commercial success, and it established itself as a highly appreciated SUV that buyers sought after.

This year marks 20 years since the launch, and the Korean SUV remains one of buyers’ favourites. Currently the fourth generation is in force, which was launched on the market in 2020. It incorporates all the current technology available on the market and has far surpassed the previous generations.

Production of the Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson reached a production figure of 244,495 units at its plant in 2023. These vehicles were distributed in more than 70 countries. In Europe 158,056 of these units were sold, representing an increase in sales compared with the previous year. This earned the model the distinction of being the best-selling compact SUV in Europe.

Globally, the Tucson reached the 2 millionth unit at the Nošovice plant on 17 June of this same year. This fourth generation of the Tucson is available with thermal engines, with mild, conventional and plug-in hybrid options. This year a plug-in hybrid version with two-wheel drive will be launched, offering this type of drive to those who prefer it.

Twenty years on the market have meant that there is a big difference between the first Hyundai Tucson and the current one, and there is still much to add to this model so that the Tucson’s coming years continue to represent an important step forward in the compact SUV segment. For now, autumn will bring a Tucson 20 Anniversary version, which we will discuss later.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverHyundai Tucson27 versions · from 35,525 €