HYUNDAITucson (US) 2023 - Present

　　In 2023, Hyundai refreshed the fourth generation of the Tucson for the 2024 model year, just three years after introducing it on the market.

　　Trying to survive in a market filled with crossovers was difficult for Hyundai, which offered the Tucson in the compact SUV segment. One of the key elements that helped the Korean automaker keep selling its vehicles was to update them regularly. For instance, the third generation of this nameplate survived on the market for just five years, between 2015 and 2020, before its successor replaced it. In addition, in the U.S. market, besides Honda and Toyota, it had to face stiff competition from local automakers such as Ford and Chevrolet. That’s why, after several tough years caused by the world pandemic and the microchip crisis, Hyundai enhanced the Tucson.

　　The car’s front featured a similar-looking front fascia as its predecessor, although it was enhanced with a different styling for the ten daytime running lights that flanked the grille. For the refreshed version of the Tucson, Hyundai installed multiple oblique slim blade-style LEDs instead of horizontal, monobloc ones. Lower, on the bumper, the automaker placed the headlights in individual side scoops. A redesigned apron and the skid plate-looking silver trim mounted underneath the bumper enhanced the vehicle’s sporty image, although the Tucson was not a true off-road vehicle.

　　From its profile, the 2024 Tucson showed the same sculptured doors that made the Korean SUV so distinct on the market. The design team didn’t feel an urge to change that, but instead, they made new alloy wheels for the vehicle. Moving on to the back of the vehicle, the 2024 Tucson received a new bumper with an integrated silver skid plate that adorned it. Its shape and size echoed the one from the front.

　　Still, the most significant changes happened on the inside. The dashboard was completely new and sported two 12.3” screens arranged side by side under the same glass panel. The one fronting the driver showed the speedometer, tachometer, and other relevant information about the car’s status, while the one that sat atop the center stack was the touchscreen for the infotainment system. Furthermore, the center console was redesigned and featured classic rotary knobs for the HVAC system. Another unusual change was for the steering wheel, which sported four dots instead of the H badge. Those four dots correspond to the H letter in Morse code.

　　Under the hood, Hyundai installed a 2.5-liter inline-four engine paired with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission for the base version. It was available with either front- or all-wheel drive systems. In addition, the automaker offered a choice of two electrified powertrains: a 1.6-liter HEV and a 1.6-liter PHEV, both being paired with a six-speed automatic. These electrified versions were also available with traction at the front or in all corners.