Hyundai has revealed the fifth-generation Tucson, with a larger body, a cleaner cabin, new hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and an XRT Pro variant aimed at buyers who intend to leave the tarmac.
Unveiled in New York, the all-new Hyundai Tucson replaces one of the brand’s most important models. Hyundai says more than 11.1 million Tucsons have been sold worldwide since the nameplate first appeared in 2004, so this redesign carries plenty of weight.
The new Tucson is due to launch in Korea later in 2026, followed by North America, Europe and other global markets in 2027. Hyundai has not yet confirmed New Zealand timing, pricing or local specifications.
Bigger body, sharper design
Hyundai calls the new styling direction “Art of Steel”, but the practical changes are easier to quantify. In long-wheelbase form, the Tucson is 4,700 mm long, 1,905 mm wide and 1,685 mm tall — increases of 60 mm, 40 mm and 20 mm respectively. The wheelbase grows by 30 mm to 2,785 mm, while rear-door opening angles increase from 73 to 83 degrees.
The front adopts a wide H-Edge lighting signature, while the rear uses what Hyundai calls Prism lamps. Higher-specification versions can be fitted with Micro Pixel Lighting made up of 25,600 individual LED pixels, enabling more precise beam patterns and animated welcome and farewell sequences.
More space and fewer touchscreen chores
Inside, the dashboard uses a two-layer layout with an open storage shelf, soft-touch padding and separate displays for the driver and infotainment. Importantly, Hyundai has retained physical buttons for frequently used climate and audio functions rather than forcing everything through the touchscreen.
The Pleos Connect infotainment system is based on Android Automotive OS and combines a 17-inch or 12.9-inch central screen with a 9.9-inch driver display. It supports over-the-air updates, third-party apps and Hyundai’s Gleo AI voice assistant. Available equipment includes two 15W wireless phone chargers, 100W USB-C charging, three-zone climate control, massaging front seats and a relaxation seat with a one-touch recline function.
Petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options
Depending on market, the Tucson will be offered with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The petrol range includes 1.6-litre turbo and 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engines, with outputs varying by region.
Hyundai says the hybrid can produce up to 245 PS (180 kW), depending on specification, and is targeting fuel economy of up to 42 mpg on the US EPA cycle. The company also quotes a 0–60 mph time of 8.5 seconds. A new Stay Mode can operate the climate control, audio system and device charging with the petrol engine switched off.
The plug-in hybrid pairs a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with a larger electric motor for a claimed combined output of 292 PS (215 kW). Its 17.1 kWh battery is said to provide up to 81 km of electric range, while a 7.2 kW onboard charger handles AC charging. Hyundai quotes a 0–60 mph time of 7.9 seconds for the four-wheel-drive version.
XRT Pro adds genuine off-road hardware
The appearance-focused Tucson XRT gains tougher bumpers, extended black cladding and skid-plate-style trim. The new XRT Pro goes further with all-wheel drive, all-terrain tyres, recovery hooks and 210 mm of ground clearance — 30 mm more than the standard model.
Smart Terrain Assist assesses traction and wheel slip, then displays a colour-coded “stuck score”. Target Speed Control can manage acceleration and braking between 2 and 25 km/h on rough ground, leaving the driver to concentrate on steering. Other available systems include a transparent underbody-style camera view, reversing assistance that can retrace a recorded path, and trailer reversing assistance.
Safety and driver assistance
Hyundai says the new body uses more hot-stamped high-strength steel, reinforced centre pillars and revised impact-load paths. Available safety technology includes driver and occupant monitoring, child-presence detection, rear-occupant alerts, navigation-linked adaptive cruise control and intelligent speed-limit assistance. Final safety ratings and the equipment fitted to New Zealand models remain to be confirmed.
“Millions of families around the world count on the Hyundai Tucson, and this is the best one we have ever built,” said Hyundai Motor Company president and CEO José Muñoz. “Its combination of bold design, generous cabin space, seamless infotainment, and available hybrid efficiency sets a new standard for what customers should expect in this segment.”
Key figures
- Length: 4,700 mm (long-wheelbase model)
- Width: 1,905 mm
- Height: 1,685 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,785 mm
- Ground clearance: 180 mm; 210 mm for XRT Pro
- Plug-in hybrid output: claimed 292 PS (215 kW)
- Plug-in hybrid electric range: claimed 81 km
- Maximum wheel size: 20 inches
- Seating: five
Specifications and features vary by market. New Zealand availability, pricing and final specification have not yet been announced.
For more information, go to www.hyundai.co.nz
