We will likely see the new Tucson in 2020.
From the Kona to the Palisade and the Nexo to the Santa Fe, Hyundai has overhauled its design language in recent years. Next up is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, which Hyundai should officially reveal next year after this next model year passes. 2020 saw minor changes for the Tucson, but the new generation looks like it will move the model in a whole new direction. Today, spy photographers caught this Tucson testing in the Sierra Nevada mountains outside Grenada, Spain.
This 2021 Hyundai Tucson prototype packs changes you’ll see right from the first time you see it. It has a two-tiered headlight design, like the rest of Hyundai’s crossover lineup. The current Tucson is the last model in the lineup to hold onto the brand’s old styling, so this will come as a major shift to some. Refreshingly, this doesn’t just look like a bigger Kona or a smaller Santa Fe or Palisade. Hyundai has actually given each crossover in its lineup its own identity, rather than fall into the nesting doll trap some other manufacturers have.
What’s going on at the back?
The rear end of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson is still heavily camouflaged, so it’s tough to see what’s going on. With such a major redesign out front, it’s reasonable to assume Hyundai will redesign the rear end as well. At the very least, we should see new taillights if not a totally different rear end. In side profile, the roofline looks similar to the current Tucson. The wheel arches are a slightly different shape, though, and we’ll likely see new wheel designs as well.
Powertrains for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson are a mystery at this point, as well. Currently, the Tucson either a 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, depending on which trim level you choose. The smaller 2.0-liter engine manages 161 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. On the other side, the more powerful unit makes 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque.
Hyundai does offer a sporty N Line variant in some global markets, so we may see a similar option with the U.S.-spec Tucson. Pricing is also a question mark, but the current model currently sits around $24,500 including destination. The 2021 Hyundai Tucson needs to stay on its game in a fiercely competitive segment, so prices may not increase too much, even with the redesign.
