South Korea has given us the sharp new Sonata and the fisty Veloster N, but its car designers are only getting warmed up. There's still the new Kia Sorento, the Optima and this, the all-new 2021 Hyundai Tucson.
We can pretend not to like crossovers and suggest wagons do the same job. But the Hyundai Tucson isn't that bad for the environment, doesn't cost that much to buy and the next one... well it just looks awesome.
We've only got one set of spyshots showing the 2021 model, but from what we understand, it's a common occurrence in Korea. And it's from there that both these renderings come.
The photo above was published by KKS Studio, a local car magazine. The lines and general design seem accurate, but the nose looks a bit frumpy, like the old Nissan Murano. Also, the lower lights don't look like the ones on the test prototype.
Another Korean artist, 3D NORI is responsible for the video below. There's so much detail on his 3D model that you have to wonder if that's not the real 2021 Tucson. Noteworthy design elements include the boxy wheel arches, similar to the RAV4, and the split in the D-pillar, which is seen on the Sonata too.
Like the Ford Escape or Toyota RAV4, this CUV should come with a plug-in hybrid powertrain with over 200 horsepower. However, we're more interested in the rumors about a potential N version. Hyundai promised this before, but only offered a mild cosmetic package in the Tucson N-Line.
We'd be happy with "just" 275 horsepower from the familiar 2-liter turbo if it comes with the DCT gearbox and a mechanical diff. Hyundai's automatics are smooth, but certainly not fast. Also, diesel can't be excluded from this equation, at least not in Europe, where Kia just added a mild-hybrid system to its 2-liter oil-burner.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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