The new Hyundai Tucson 2021 arrives with striking styling, greater interior space and more efficient powertrains

Hyundai’s commitment to showcasing models with a bold, striking look continues with the presentation of the new Hyundai Tucson. Following in the footsteps of the Hyundai Santa Fe, presented not long ago, the latest crossover on display is even more eye-catching thanks to a design based on the brand’s design language known as Sensuous Sportiness, which takes shape as a sculpture that radiates a defiance of trends that favour discretion.

To begin with, the vehicle features dimensions of 4,500 millimetres in length, 1,865 mm in width, 1,650 mm in height and a wheelbase of 2,680 mm, that is, 15 mm wider, 5 mm taller and with a wheelbase 10 millimetres longer, in its standard configuration. In addition to this, there will be a version such as the Hyundai Tucson LWB, which will feature an extended wheelbase and therefore more interior space and up to seven seats, for the Asian market shown below.

But what is truly interesting about this car is, on the one hand, its appearance and, on the other, its technology.

Sensuous Sportiness or how not to fall into the boredom of replication

The so-called ‘brand image’ is a widespread problem in the automotive industry, consisting of replicating a basic design to the point of exhaustion, applying it across the available vehicle range and differentiating models through subtle changes in styling.

Hyundai makes a bold statement with the new Hyundai Tucson and its front end which, although not entirely new, first appeared on the Vision T prototype, which already featured this winged grille with illuminated cells on its flanks, which will serve as lighting for everyday use.

And, referring to the aforementioned concept car, we can now see that this showcase model also carried over the main lines of the rear, with lights that simulate fangs and a side profile sculpted as if from hours in the gym.

Inside, a leap in refinement is conveyed through an elegant, avant-garde and upmarket design, where the new steering wheel, together with the two screens behind it and the one set into the central console, on a pristine and superb dashboard, delivers a maximum sense of spaciousness, supported by a distance to the windscreen that enhances the on-board experience.

Passengers, especially those in the rear seats, will enjoy even greater roominess thanks to 26 mm more legroom between the occupant and the front seat, owing to the better use of interior space, given the increase of that centimetre in wheelbase of this new Hyundai Tucson.

It should be noted that the boot, depending on the mechanical configuration, offers a capacity of between 546 and 620 litres, which can be extended, when the rear seat row is folded down, up to 1,725–1,799 l.

Technology at the service of the user

And if there is one thing that will define this fourth generation of the crossover, it is its technological leap, not only because it features the latest advances in information, entertainment, comfort and other new-generation features, but also because electrified engines gain ground, becoming the majority, in the new Hyundai Tucson range.

To begin with, the South Korean manufacturer keeps in its line-up the new Hyundai Tucson with engines offered exclusively, either diesel or petrol. As for the diesel SUV, it is equipped with the 1.6 CRDi engine producing 115 CV with front-wheel drive. As for the crossover that relies solely on petrol, the only engine without electrical assistance is the 1.6 T-GDi producing 150 CV, which can be paired with front-wheel drive, FWD, or all-wheel drive, 4WD.

Now, referring to the new Hyundai Tucson hybrid means generalising about the vehicle’s electrified options, since it is offered paired with diesel or petrol blocks, in mild, full or plug-in hybrid configurations.

The hybrid variants of the new Hyundai Tucson

To begin with, and returning to the diesel-based powertrains for the new crossover, the 1.6 CRDi mild hybrid is presented as the only Hyundai Tucson diesel hybrid, a mild hybrid configuration which, based on a 48 V system, allows this car to be certified under the DGT’s ECO label. Either way, this vehicle has 136 CV and front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Now, in light of the above, the remaining variants which rely, to a greater or lesser extent, on an electric system, distinguish between the new Hyundai Tucson petrol mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid.

As for the first, the Hyundai Tucson MHEV, the 1.6 T-GDI engine block will offer two power levels, either 150 CV or 180 CV, paired with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Regarding the Hyundai Tucson HEV, that is, the full hybrid configuration, the 1.6 T-GDI engine together with an electric motor of 44.2 kW, equivalent to 60 CV, backed by a 1.49 kWh battery, together deliver up to 230 CV and send their power to all four wheels.

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Also with all-wheel drive but with the ability to recharge a larger-capacity battery by plugging into an electrical outlet, the new Hyundai Tucson PHEV produces 265 CV and an all-electric range, which has not yet been announced, and will ensure it carries the DGT’s ZERO label.

The launch of the new Hyundai Tucson

Although in South Korea the first units of this fourth generation crossover will reach dealerships this very September, for the rest of the markets the opening of reservations has been scheduled for the first half of 2021, which suggests that deliveries of the first examples will not begin until around next summer. For Spain, these will be manufactured at the Hyundai facilities in the Czech Republic, where other reference models for the brand such as the Hyundai i30 are also assembled.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverHyundai Tucson27 versions · from 35,525 €