Slimmer front-end camouflage on latest Tucson prototype suggests mid-life refresh will only bring minor grille and DRL changes
https://www.carscoops.com/author/chris-chilton-cc/
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by Chris Chilton
1 hour ago
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Hyundai’s Tucson can’t keep pace with top-selling SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, which is almost twice as popular. But it’s still been a solid success for Hyundai, proving that buyers weren’t repelled by the slightly strange face and angular bodywork.
That’s why Hyundai has mostly opted not to mess with the formula for the mid-life refresh of the now three-year-old compact SUV. We can’t be entirely sure of course, not until Hyundai peels back the heavy fabric disguise panels it just loves to attach to its prototypes until unusually late in the testing phase. But the slimmed-down camo on the front of this particular SUV suggests changes will be limited to new lights and some minor grille and bumper tweaks.
We wondered previously whether Hyundai might add a full-width light bar to the front end of the Tucson, something it’s done to other new vehicles like the facelifted Elantra and new Kona. But these pictures appear to show only a mildly tweaked version of the segmented DRLs we’re familiar with from the current SUV, and the fang-style rear light clusters are also likely to receive only minor changes.
Related: 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Gains Rugged XRT Trim, While Tucson N Line Goes Hybrid
It’ll probably be a similar story under the hood. European buyers currently get a choice of 1.6-liter petrol engines making either 148 hp (150 PS) in FWD guise, or 178 hp (180 PS) with AWD drivetrains, both of those coming with mild hybrid assistance. Shoppers with more cash to burn also have the option of selecting one of two 1.6s, each with more substantial electric boosts, they being the 226 hp (230 PS) full hybrid and 261 hp (265 PS) plug-in model.
The Tucson range looks slightly different in the U.S, where the entry-level mild hybrids sold in Europe are swapped for a naturally aspirated 187 hp (190 PS) 2.5 liter four, although full hybrid and PHEV upgrades are still available.
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The current car was launched in September 2020, a year after being previewed by the Vision T Concept, so it makes sense that Hyundai would reveal the facelifted car this fall with sales starting early in 2024 for some markets, though the U.S. might have to wait until the 2025 model year to get its hands on the updated SUV. That’s just speculation on our part, though.
