While the bigger Santa Fe has received a new generation, which has gone down the boxier styling route, featuring stuff such as H-shaped lighting units at both ends and more rugged traits, though it kind of looks like a van or the Ford Flex from certain angles, the Tucson is in for a mid-cycle refresh.
That's right, despite the extra thick camouflage hiding the exterior of the latest scooped prototypes, Hyundai is not preparing a new generation but a facelift when it comes to its compact crossover, the Tucson.
Get That Magnifier to Spot the Changes on the Outside
Set to replace the current iteration that is almost three years old, it will look about the same, as the Korean company seems to be fond of its design. We cannot argue with that logic as we think the current Tucson is pretty, especially since it has managed to evade the catfish-like styling of the old Santa Fe. Up front, it will feature new main clusters and a tweaked lighting signature that will still be neatly incorporated into the grille. Hyundai didn't do much to the bumper, but we expect it to feature a redesigned central intake and a new lower section.
Photo: Kolesa
Do you know how flush-mounted door handles are slowly becoming a trend in the modern-day automotive world? Well, you'll have to wait a few more years for the Tucson to get them, assuming that this is what Hyundai has planned for the next generation. For now, however, the profile will remain untouched. Look for the same fenders, doors, side mirror casings, roof rails, and broad shoulders. If anything, they might up the ante with new wheel designs. Due to the fake hump on the scooped testers, making out the novelties at the rear is impossible. Thus, we will assume it'll sport a new bumper, a different diffuser, and new taillights that should at least sport fresh graphics. The tailpipes were still visible on the snapped prototypes, but they'll probably revise the tips or at least the surrounding trim.
Nothing to Write Home About When It Comes to the Cabin
Compared to the cabin of the mid-size 2024 Santa Fe, the interior of the current Tucson looks ages behind. But it will have to do for now, as Hyundai won't give it any significant upgrades here. We expect the two main screens, the landscape-oriented infotainment, and the tablet-like digital gauges, to at least feature new software. We would also bet on a new steering wheel and probably an updated center console that will still host the cup holders, minimalist gear selector, and electric parking brake, as well as other buttons, like the heated seat controls and hill-start assist.
The storage spaces should be the same, more or less, and we also think they might give it new USB sockets. Other than that, chances are the 2024 Tucson will be pretty much the same, save for perhaps new upholstery and trim options. Since safety is a huge deal these days in the automotive world, we think Hyundai will at least improve some active systems.
Alleged Minor Revisions Under the Hood
Want to learn about the power? You'll have to wait for Hyundai to unveil it, as there's nothing official yet. Still, we suspect the 2024 Tucson's gasoline and electrified units might be updated to burn less fuel and become less polluting – on the right side of the Atlantic Ocean, anyway. In North America, the 2.5-liter inline-four engine will likely live on unchanged. That means 187 hp (190 ps/140 kW) and 178 lb-ft (241 Nm) of torque. The front-wheel drive system will remain standard, though the all-wheel drive will still be an option across the range that kicks off from $26,900 with the SE, topping at a minimum of $$36,160 for the Limited, excluding destination.
Photo: Kolesa
You didn't forget about the two electrified options on the 2023 Tucson lineup, did you? The 2024 model is understood to retain the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid variants. The former offers a combined 226 horsepower (229 ps/169 kW) in return for an MSRP of $31,350, and the latter is punchier at 261 hp (265 ps/195 kW). It also offers a battery-electric driving range of 33 miles (53 km), and it starts at $37,500 before destination. Given the rumored extra goodies that it might get, the facelifted iteration might also bring a small price bump across the range. Look for something in the region of three digits, though we wouldn't be surprised if certain trim levels cost the same.
Still sharing its construction with the old Santa Fe, as well as the Santa Cruz, Sonata, Staria, Kia Carnival, K5, K8, Sorento, and Sportage, the facelifted Hyundai Tucson is expected to premiere in a few months. It will go on sale shortly after the unveiling in overseas markets, and we might get ours as a 2024 or a 2025 model. Is it your next go-to daily?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News