Next-generation Hyundai Tucson design could become even more radical?

The Hyundai Tucson is already one of the most recognisable cars on the road thanks to its aggressive, edgy styling - but it could get even more outlandish in the coming years.

The current-generation Tucson, which launched in May 2021 in Australia, has proven to be quite the eye-catcher, with its “waterfall” front LED daytime running lights, extreme panel creases on the doors and straked rear-end finish helping it stand out against rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander and even its cousin, the Kia Sportage.

Simon Loasby, Hyundai’s global head of style, told CarsGuide at an event in Korea recently that the brand is constantly evaluating and reevaluating its approach when it comes to styling and design for the big-selling models - but the company didn’t expect the response to be quite as strong to the new Tucson as it has been, even in traditionally tough-to-crack markets like Europe.

“We have to analyse what we’ve got, and through the analysis, [figure out] what is working, and what is not working,” said Mr Loasby. “With Tucson it’s the same. We are working on the next generation at the moment. And it’s about analysing the question, and when you do that… then you can say ‘do we need to throw it out, do we start again, or do we continue’, and it’s still Tucson in the next generation.”

Mr Loasby stated the next-generation Tucson - which likely isn’t even going to be seen until 2024 or 2025 - will be able to follow the current model’s path.

“My belief at the moment, as Tucson is so successful, is that there’s a lot that we can take forward to the next generation, but when we do the analysis, there’s some things we can improve,” he said. We hope he’s referring to the halogen headlights on anything but the N Line models and Highlander grades.

“As we look at our range, you will see some [models] where that product brand stays that, and keeps going [without major design or philosophy changes]. Some of them we have to create all-new. Others that already exist may just have to completely change.”

That means we could see dramatic changes to future upcoming products, like the new-generation Santa Fe and Kona, the latter of which is due in 2023. 

Could it be that Hyundai would contemplate offering a shrunken-down interpretation of the Tucson for the all-new Kona? Possibly, though the brand has made it clear that it intends to shun the notion of a “family look”, rather focusing on creating distinct identities for each of its key products.