LOS ANGELES — Hyundai’s fourth-generation Tucson compact crossover undergoes a heavy redesign, with a longer wheelbase, new styling inside and outside, two hybrid options and a sporty N Line trim for the 2022 model year.
The Korean automaker presented the U.S. version of its bestselling vehicle globally in Los Angeles on Monday, offering significantly more space, chiseled styling and multiple drivetrain options to better compete against rivals such as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue.
Through the third quarter, the Tucson was in eighth place among compact crossovers, with U.S. sales of 91,139 — an 11 percent drop compared with the same period last year. Segment volume is down 20 percent overall.
“Our new Tucson represents the future of Hyundai’s full-spectrum eco-powertrain approach, offering internal-combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models,” said Thomas Schemera, head of the product division at Hyundai Motor Group.
“With all-wheel-drive capability now added to new hybrid SUV platforms, customers no longer need to choose between all-road, all-weather capability and outstanding efficiency,” Schemera said.
According to a Hyundai, the new-gen Tucson is 6.1 inches longer and 0.6 inch wider, with an extra 7.7 cubic feet of cargo room and 6 cubic feet of passenger volume compared with the outgoing model. In other global markets, Hyundai will offer a short-wheelbase version of the Tucson, but not in the U.S.
The new base engine is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder powerplant with 187 hp compared with the outgoing base motor with 161 hp and the outgoing optional motor on higher trims that makes 181 hp.
Hyundai didn’t released precise fuel-economy ratings for the different models. It said the new base engine has a targeted rating of 28 mpg for the front-drive model compared with 25 mpg for each of the current motors offered on the Tucson.
The automaker said the standard hybrid is 30 percent more fuel efficient than the standard gasoline engine, which translates to around 36 mpg. The plug-in hybrid is rated at more than 70 mpg-e, which is an estimate of efficiency used for electrified vehicles.
Hyundai also is developing an N Line version of the Tucson for later in 2021. The sporty trim will have a more aggressive exterior appearance and interior touches.
It could also have a high-performance turbocharged engine and dual-clutch automatic transmission based on other N Line versions of Hyundai vehicles.
In addition to its revised exterior styling as part of its new Sensuous Sportiness design identity, the 2022 Tucson offers a more upscale interior and additional tech features.
“The interior offers three new technologies, including a 10.25-inch full-touch screen exempt of hard buttons, a hoodless digital gauge cluster and multi-air ventilation,” Hyundai said. “This indirect, diffusing ventilation system reduces potentially unpleasant airflow and is unique in the automotive industry.”
Pricing, trim levels and other details will be released closer to sales launch. The gasoline and standard hybrid models are set to arrive in spring 2021, along with the N Line. The plug-in hybrid is expected in the summer of 2021, Hyundai said.