August 19, 2026 - Redesigned 2027 Hyundai Tucson

This is the Telemetry Transportation Daily for August 18, 2026, and I'm Sam Abuelsamid, Vice President of Market Research for Telemetry. 

Today in South Korea, Hyundai unveiled a completely redesigned version of one of its bestselling models, the Tucson compact crossover.  Following its usual pattern, Hyundai isn't taking an evolutionary approach with its design but is instead going off in a whole new direction. It turns out that we got our first hint of what to expect with the 2027 Tucson last April when Hyundai unveiled its Boulder concept at the New York Auto Show. The Boulder is a much larger body-on-frame SUV that is expected to preview a new midsize pickup truck that should debut in about 2028. The Boulder was clearly designed to target the growing off-road SUV segment dominated by the likes of the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Toyota 4Runner. 

We're also seeing the serious off-roader look coming to more mainstream models like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Bronco Sport. The new Tucson is much more boxy than before, although not to the same degree as the Boulder. It does, however, get very similarly shaped, larger fenders like the Boulder. The new Tucson is 2.3 inches longer, 1.6 inches wider, and 1.1 inches taller than the outgoing model. Inside, it gets a larger central touchscreen with Hyundai's new Pleos infotainment software, although it does retain a row of physical controls across the bottom of the screen. 

Hyundai hasn't announced any powertrain details for the new Tucson, but the lineup will likely be similar to the current models with an internal combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variant. The hybrids will likely transition over to the new-generation Hyundai hybrid architecture that debuted on the Palisade last year, with dual clutches and a more powerful electric motor replacing the former belted starter generator system. The new Tucson will probably make its US debut in November at the LA Auto Show and go on sale in early 2027. 

Thanks for listening.