Hyundai has unveiled the fifth-generation Tucson, giving one of the UK’s most popular family SUVs a dramatic new look ahead of its arrival in Britain in 2027.
The new Hyundai Tucson moves away from the softer styling of the current model and adopts a much more upright and rugged appearance. Hyundai’s new Art of Steel design language brings squared-off bodywork, pronounced wheel arches, distinctive LED lighting and a more imposing stance.
The changes are more than cosmetic, too. Hyundai has redesigned the interior, introduced a new infotainment system and increased the amount of space available to passengers.
For UK buyers, the new Tucson will face strong competition from established family SUVs including the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan, while the Honda CR-V will also remain an important rival.
A Much More Rugged Design
The biggest change is immediately obvious from the outside.
Rather than continuing with the flowing lines of the current Tucson, Hyundai has given its new SUV a much more squared-off appearance. Large wheel arches, stronger character lines and a more upright front end give it a tougher look that has more in common with the larger Santa Fe.
At the front, the Tucson features a distinctive full-width lighting signature incorporating Hyundai’s illuminated H motif. Vertical daytime running lights sit towards the outer edges, while the grille and surrounding bodywork create a much more substantial appearance.
The rear follows a similar theme, with a full-width lighting element and vertically positioned lamps.
Hyundai describes the design philosophy as Art of Steel, a styling direction that is expected to influence more of the manufacturer’s future models.
It represents a significant change for the Tucson, which has traditionally combined SUV practicality with a relatively sleek and distinctive appearance.
The UK Version Will Be Different From The Model First Revealed
There is an important point for British buyers.
The vehicle initially revealed by Hyundai is a longer-wheelbase version intended for markets such as South Korea. The UK and European versions are expected to use a shorter wheelbase, meaning the exact dimensions and some specifications quoted for the launch model should not automatically be applied to the British-market Tucson.
That means UK buyers will need to wait for Hyundai to reveal the European specification before the final dimensions, equipment levels and technical details can be confirmed.
Nevertheless, the new model is expected to be larger and more spacious than the current Tucson.
That should be particularly useful for families, with Hyundai also increasing the rear door opening angle to make it easier to load passengers and larger items.
A Completely Reworked Interior
The changes continue inside the cabin.
Hyundai has moved away from the current Tucson’s dashboard arrangement and introduced a much cleaner, more minimalist design.
A large central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, while a slim digital driver’s display sits directly in front of the steering wheel. Physical controls have also been retained beneath the main screen rather than placing every function inside the touchscreen.
The centre console has been redesigned around practicality, with storage areas and wireless smartphone charging facilities incorporated into the layout.
The cabin also features a new steering wheel design, ambient lighting and a mixture of materials intended to give the Tucson a more upmarket feel.
The result is a cabin that appears significantly different from the current model while retaining the practical focus expected from a family SUV.
Hybrid And Plug-In Hybrid Models Expected
Hyundai has not yet released the full UK powertrain specification for the fifth-generation Tucson.
However, the company is expected to continue offering electrified powertrains, with plug-in hybrid versions likely to remain an important part of the range
That would make sense given the position of the current Tucson, which is already available with petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains in the UK.
CVC currently offers the Hyundai Tucson 1.6T Plug-In Hybrid 252PS N Line Auto, giving UK drivers the opportunity to lease the current-generation Tucson with plug-in hybrid power.
The exact engines, outputs, battery capacities, electric-only range and efficiency figures for the British-market car have yet to be confirmed.
Hyundai has also shown a more rugged XRT version of the new Tucson. It features additional exterior styling changes designed to give the SUV a tougher, more adventure-focused appearance.
However, UK availability of the XRT specification has not been confirmed, and previous Tucson XRT versions have not been offered to British buyers.
When Will The New Hyundai Tucson Arrive In The UK?
Hyundai is expected to bring the new Tucson to the UK during 2027, with reports pointing towards an early-2027 arrival.
The current Tucson remains one of the UK’s strongest-selling family SUVs, having appeared among the country’s top 10 best-selling cars for several consecutive years.
That gives Hyundai plenty of reason to get the next-generation model right.
UK pricing has not yet been officially confirmed. The current Tucson starts at around the £31,000 mark, so the new model could command a higher starting price given its additional technology and revised design. For buyers considering their options, car leasing could provide an alternative to purchasing outright, although leasing availability for the new Tucson will depend on when UK models become available.
How Will The New Tucson Compare With Its Rivals?
The family SUV market is already extremely competitive, so the new Tucson is entering a crowded field.
The Toyota RAV4 remains a major rival, particularly for buyers looking for an efficient hybrid SUV, while the Kia Sportage offers similar practicality and a wide choice of electrified powertrains.
The Nissan Qashqai occupies a slightly smaller space but competes directly for family buyers, while the Volkswagen Tiguan offers another established alternative.
The Honda CR-V is also relevant, particularly for buyers prioritising space and hybrid technology.
Hyundai’s strategy with the new Tucson is therefore interesting. Rather than attempting to blend into an increasingly crowded market, the company has given its SUV one of the most distinctive designs in its class.
Whether UK buyers prefer the new, more rugged appearance over the current model’s styling remains to be seen.
A Bold New Chapter For The Tucson
The fifth-generation Hyundai Tucson represents one of the biggest design changes to the model since its introduction.
Its new styling gives it a stronger visual connection with Hyundai’s larger SUVs, while the redesigned cabin and expected continuation of hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains should help it remain competitive in the UK family SUV market.
The biggest unanswered questions for British buyers are now the final UK specifications, pricing, powertrain line-up and equipment levels.
Those details should become clearer as Hyundai prepares the European version for its 2027 launch.
For now, though, one thing is clear: the new Tucson is certainly not a conservative evolution of the current car.
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