Hyundai Tucson

The new Tucson grew 2.3 inches longer, 1.6 inches wider, and about an inch taller than the outgoing model. That makes it the size of the Honda CR-V, though riding on a longer wheelbase. Due to the packaging advantages of moving the axles further apart, a longer wheelbase tends to benefit interior space. In contrast, the redesigned Toyota RAV4 remains the same size as its predecessor, making it four inches shorter and two inches narrower than the next-generation Tucson.

The bodywork is quite dramatic, with pronounced fender flares, deeply etched lines, and an interesting, harmonious overall aesthetic. It is both evolutionary, pushing the deep-set lines of the previous Tucson even further, and familiar, with design sensibilities shared with the Santa Fe and Palisade. Taken together, these styling elements mean the Tucson won’t be mistaken for the growing legion of small SUVs competing for buyers’ attention and business.

This goes double for the XRT and new XRT Pro trims, the versions that heighten the Tucson’s off-road capabilities. The XRTs have an even bolder front fascia, more protective black trim, dark metal accents, black wheels, and skid plates. They come only in all-wheel drive and are shod in all-terrain tires. The unique front and rear designs improve approach and departure angles, which is helpful on steep, sharp off-road inclines. Just in case, the XRTs include front tow hooks. The XRT Pro builds on the XRT with even more protective cladding and an elevated 8.3-inch ride height.

Improvements to the cabin start with the entry being eased by front doors that open 10 degrees wider than before. The interior is stark, looking more like what you’d find in an electric vehicle than a conventional SUV.

Instead of a traditional instrument panel behind the steering wheel with large dials, the Tucson uses a slender, 9.9-inch wide display mounted deeper on the dash. The standard center infotainment screen measures 12.9 inches diagonally, and there is an optional 17-inch screen, which is massive in a vehicle this size. Under the center screen are physical controls for common functions, such as heated seats, climate mode, fan speed, temperature, and hazards.

Below those controls in the center console are one or two wireless phone charging pads, depending on the trim. The infotainment system uses the latest Hyundai technology, allowing over-the-air updates and third-party entertainment and productivity software. Like many new vehicles, the Tucson uses AI to enable plain language when interacting with the voice assistant.

The steering wheel is a squared-circle (aka squircle). The benefit of this shape is that it makes it easier to peer over at the instrument display and creates more legroom beneath it—helpful for entry and exit. However, we’re not fans of such designs because the oblong shape can make it awkward to rotate the steering wheel while parking or making sharper turns on the road. (To get a sense of what this is like to use, hold a hardcover book upright in front of you, then rotate it around like you are steering. Not ideal, is it?)

The XRTs are distinguished by unique seat trim and badging. There is an optional massaging seat.

Second-row passengers have access to 100W USB-C charging ports on the front seat backs.

The Tucson will be offered with a choice of a gas-only or hybrid powertrain. The base configuration uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 184 hp—a slight decrease from last year’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder.

The hybrid is built around the same turbo four, but it uses a six-speed automatic instead. Total output is 233 hp. Beyond a 27 percent advantage in maximum horsepower, it is also rated for 43 percent more torque. Scanning these numbers, it is no surprise that Hyundai expects the hybrid to zip from 0 to 60 mph about a second quicker than the regular model at a claimed 8.5 seconds. The hybrid boasts a 1,000-pound increase in tow capacity, enabling it to pull up to 3,000 pounds.

Of course, the real draw for the hybrid will be its efficiency. Hyundai estimates that fuel economy will range from 38 to 42 miles per gallon, depending on drive configuration (front- or all-wheel) and wheel size. Those figures mark a notable increase from the last Tucson Hybrid we tested, an AWD version that measured 35 mpg overall in our tests. And for comparison, the current Toyota RAV4 hybrid was recorded at 40 mpg overall in our tests.

Both powertrains will be available in front- and all-wheel drive. There will not be a plug-in hybrid version for the U.S. market.

The Tucson is the first Hyundai with Smart Terrain Assist, a system that monitors traction and signals slip conditions using a green, orange, and red scale. Adding to its off-road bag of tricks is Target Speed Control, essentially cruise control for trails that uses acceleration and braking to maintain a constant low speed, allowing the driver to focus on steering and keeping the chiseled bodywork free from scratches. The available Ground View Monitor provides a view forward and beneath the vehicle, a helpful feature for navigating around rocks and other obstacles when traveling on trails.

The 2026 Tucson earned a Best safety verdict from Consumer Reports for its proven occupant protection and advanced safety features. The new Tucson is expected to expand on that capability.

At the foundation is Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of active safety and driver assistance systems that include automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), rear cross traffic warning (RCTW), and reverse automatic emergency braking. Other standard features include adaptive cruise control (ACC) and lane centering assistance (LCA) informed by navigation data. There’s also a standard direct driver monitoring system that watches eye movement to warn of inattention and fatigue.

A rear occupant alert notifies drivers if the rear seat was accessed on that trip. Adding extra protection, Child Presence Detection and Rear Occupant Alert can notify drivers if children or pets are left unattended,Another helpful feature is Trailer Reverse Assist. This manages steering when backing up, making it easier to back a trailer into a desired location, like a parking spot, garage, or boat ramp.