Next year is shaping up to be the year of car design, when cars like the new Hyundai Tucson are revealed.
Not only does it look amazing on the outside, from the photos it looks like Hyundai is finally lifting the interior to rival that of Mazda, who have long been the leaders in interior design for Korean and Japanese SUVs.
The mechanicals are not left alone with, with an array of powertrains, including internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
The all-new Tucson is an important launch for Hyundai as the model is among its most popular, racking up global sales of more than 7 million units since its original launch in 2004. Hyundai expects the new model to attract even more customers with its cutting-edge design, roominess, class-leading digital capabilities, dynamic ride and handling and excellent fuel efficiency.
“We are thrilled to introduce the all-new Tucson, the latest model in Hyundai’s SUV transformation,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President, Head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group. “This exciting vehicle sets a new benchmark for innovation in its segment, delivering an impressive blend of design, technology, packaging and performance.”
The all-new Tucson goes on sale in Korea in September as a 2021 model. It will go on sale in New Zealand and other global markets as a 2022 model, starting from the first quarter of 2021.
You can watch the global launch of the car on this YouTube feed:
According to Hyundai, the Tucson is designed to appeal to those who embrace the integration of technologies with their lifestyle; these tech-savvy consumers adopt the latest gadgets to enhance their lives. Tucson’s integration of technology and design is most evident in its innovative half-mirror type daytime running lamps (DRLs) that are assimilated seamlessly within the parametric grille, only revealed when illuminated.
There’s a long hood and level roofline coupled with a long wheelbase and short overhangs. Crisp geometric angles and edges create a striking contrast between a sleek silhouette and wedge lines. The chrome line beginning from the side mirrors follows the arc of the roofline with a gradual increase in thickness and visually represents speed as it reaches the C pillar.
Tucson petrol models offer the following seven exterior colours: White Cream, Phantom Black, Shimmering Silver, Nocturne Gray, Amazon Gray, Flame Red, and Intense Blue, six of which are new for Tucson.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models offer the following four colours: White Cream, Phantom Black, Shimmering Silver, and Intense Blue, three of which are new for Tucson.
The SUV’s interior environments come in black or grey tones in either cloth or leather material.
Hyundai says the Tucson’s interior, or ‘INTERSPACE’, offers layered, sensuous forms that provide a feeling of openness and serenity. This is a place where space, technology and information seamlessly blend. The broad ridge of the dashboard blends consistently with the doors, wrapping around front occupants like a deep gorge. The vertically oriented, fully integrated centre fascia descends to the console like a waterfall. Twin silver garnish lines streaming from the centre fascia to the rear doors harmonise neatly layered premium surface materials in complementary neutral tones. Ambient mood lighting is adjustable to 64 colours in 10 levels of brightness.
The interior offers three new technologies, including a vertically stacked, dual 10.25-inch full-touch screen exempt of hard buttons, a multi-air ventilation system and an open, hoodless digital gauge cluster. Tucson’s second-row seats will feature fold-and-dive functionality for optimised reconfiguration capability between passengers and cargo. Its cargo volume will provide an exceptional 1095 litres of usable space.
Dynamic Drive, Ride and Handling
Tucson offers upgraded Smartstream™ petrol and diesel engines along with 1.6-litre, turbo, direct-injected, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The 1.6-litre hybrid powertrain produces an estimated 134kW, with a combined powertrain output of 171kW. It also produces 264Nm of torque from the petrol engine and 348Nm of torque from the combined hybrid powertrain. This new powertrain uses Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology that manages valve opening duration for optimal power, efficiency and emissions with minimised compromise.
Hyundai applied its first-in-class E-Handling technology for HEV and PHEV models to help improve steering response and directional stability when cornering or in adverse driving conditions.
Tucson drivers get further assistance from Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system that provides sure footing on various road surfaces and conditions. While HTRAC previously supported Eco / Comfort / Smart / Sport driving modes, the latest version adds Mud, Sand and Snow in some markets.
Tucson offers more safety features than ever. The Hyundai SmartSense safety feature suite includes:
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian detection
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
- Surround View Monitor
- Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (RPCA)
- Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW).
The all-new Tucson is available with advanced technology features including:
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go
- Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
Digital Experiences
Hyundai’s Digital Key is an app that turns the customer’s smartphone into a smart key. It uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to detect authorised users, so they can operate their vehicle without a physical key present. Customers can lock and unlock their vehicle, activate the panic alert and start the engine and its climate control system from up to 27 metres away.
Tucson’s full-touch display – home to navigation, air and infotainment controls – demonstrates how technology can be seamlessly integrated to provide an ergonomic and intuitive user interface, including convenient voice control. Tucson’s technology integration reaches its apex with the top-trim model’s 10.25-inch full-touch navigation screen. The navigation system offers split-screen functionality that enables multi-tasking capabilities, coupled with enhanced voice recognition.
Tucson offers advanced technologies that customers will appreciate whether driving to work or at play. Tucson offers an 8-inch colour touchscreen coupled with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® connectivity. Customers can connect two phones simultaneously. Bluetooth allows driver and passenger to alternate between their playlists without disconnecting and reconnecting their respective phones.
The BOSE Premium audio system provides high-quality sound. Thanks to enhanced connectivity with smart devices, customers can also check their schedules from inside the vehicle in conjunction with an external calendar app and setting their appointment as a destination.
Tucson’s new Car-to-home feature allows customers to control smart home appliances from the car. They can turn on the air conditioner at home before their arrival on very hot, humid summer days. Furthermore, Tucson’s new Multi-Command function allows customers to “warm-up the car” – including heating system, heated steering wheel and seat warmers – with a single voice command.
Hyundai benchmarked Tucson’s direct and indirect ventilation against sophisticated systems used on aircraft to provide next-level comfort. The climate system monitors air quality in the vehicle and purifies the air. It indicates real-time air-pollution levels on the Dual Automatic Temperature Control display window using the fine dust detection sensor.
Tucson is the first model to feature technology that reduces moisture from the evaporator and keeps the air-conditioning system clean and free of odour helping to maintain a pleasant environment inside the vehicle. The Car-to-home and air purification features are available in select markets.
Tucson’s enhanced natural language voice recognition system includes Speech-to-Meaning and Deep Meaning Understanding technologies. In select markets, Blue Link is complimentary for three years and includes Remote Start with Climate Control, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Destination Search by Voice.
New Zealand Market
- Arriving locally in the first quarter of 2021
- Short and long wheelbase (LWB) under consideration for our market
- Upgraded Smartstream™ petrol and diesel engines
- Tucson N Line, HEV and PHEV engines under consideration for New Zealand but not confirmed
- New Zealand model line-up and pricing details closer to launch
“The all-new Tucson is an impressive SUV, and we’re excited about its arrival next year. Tucson is our most popular model here in New Zealand, of which including the locally badged ix35 we’ve sold over 23,000 units since we introduced it in 2004. We expect the new model to attract even more customers with its striking new design and safety, comfort and convenience technology,” says Andy Sinclair Hyundai New Zealand General Manager.
