Hyundai Tucson | What Has Changed In 16 Years Of The SUV?

Hyundai Motors revealed a compact SUV based on the Kia Sportage back in 2004. It was the Hyundai Tucson. And now, after 16 years and 3 generations, Hyundai Global has revealed the all-new Tucson to the world. Whether it will come to India or not, let’s save it for the end. Let’s take a look at what all has changed.

Hyundai Tucson In India | A Roller-coaster ride!

In 2005, Hyundai launched the Tucson in India. Being the first SUV from the Korean carmaker, the company had high hopes from Tucson. But with the brand’s image of affordable cars was not in support of the launch. The price of Tucson was around ₹16lakhs at that time. The car failed, as the Indian market for SUVs was not huge at that time.

Then in 2009, the world received the 2nd generation of the Tucson but India was kept at a bay. Hyundai was not confident enough to introduce it to the Indian customers as there was less demand for the SUVs at that time too.

Then in 2015, Hyundai introduced us Indians to the Creta, which now has evolved into a cult of its own, for sure. The Creta went on to become ICOTY and received an overwhelming response. Hyundai understood that the market was now ripe to introduce a grander SUV.

In 2016, Hyundai launched the 3rd generation of Hyundai Tucson in India, finally. The compact SUV received a good response as, within 2 months of launch, the Tucson received over 200 bookings.

In 2020, Hyundai Tucson received a minor update in terms of looks and design. This model is currently on sale.

It was showcased at the Auto Expo 2020. And now, Hyundai has revealed the 4th generation of Tucson. It is nothing like the ones we have seen. The compact SUV just disappears in the broad light, thanks to the elements that the company has added. Let’s see what has changed in the transition from the first-gen to the fourth one.

First Generation to Fourth Generation | The Looks and Design

When the 1st generation came, it came with a round non-edgy design. The all-new Hyundai Tucson is just class apart when compared.

Take a look at the front. The first generation came with a round bonnet and single chrome accent with the Hyundai logo at the centre. It was sandwiched between two circular headlamps and round fog lamps below.

The all-new Tucson has no headlamps, nor the ones visible to the human eye. Just kidding! The headlights at the Tucson hide in plain sight and vanish into the grille.

Looking at the side profile, you see a simple 2000s design on the first generation of the Tucson. It is also clearly visible that the first-gen had a smaller wheelbase and an overall length too.

The all-new Tucson gets a longer wheelbase, a coupe-like stance and finely placed curves and cuts all through the length. The Tucson just looks mean in its new avatar.

Getting behind the car, from basic taillamp housing to the all-new symmetrically placed LED taillamps, which again blend into the surroundings, Tucson has changed a lot. The Hyundai emblem too is now all shiny and glassy.

But sadly, this generation is going to miss out on a major feature at the rear. And it is the rear wipers!

Naah! Just kidding! The rear wiper too hides in plain sight just like the other elements and becomes visible only when used.

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Hyundai Tucson | 1st Generation vs 4th Generation | Interior

Now its time to get inside the car. the interiors have completely changed. From the 4-spoke steering wheel to a flat-bottom one, to a basic instrument cluster to a new 10.25-inch fully digital one, from the 2000s stereo and CD player to a 10.25-inch instrument cluster and side AC vents to none, wait, where are the vents?

Well, this is another hide-in-plain sight feature of the Tucson. To keep the philosophy alive, Hyundai has very cleverly blended the AC vents into the dashboard. Wow, the Tucson is going to be the next John Cena, you can’t see me!

The whole interior when viewed from the top, seems to have carried forward the symmetry from the first-gen but with a whole new touch.

Is there something new under the hood?

Well, it would have been stupid if the company carried the engines from the first-gen to the fourth one after having changed this much. The first generation of Tucson offered a single 2.0-litre CRDi diesel engine in India whereas there were a total of 3 engines globally. These were the 2.0-litre L4 petrol, 2.7-litre V6 petrol and the 2.0-litre CRDi diesel. Let’s compare the engines.

There is a lot new under the hood too. More power and fuel-efficient engines have taken place of the larger ones.

The all-new Tucson will also have features like HTRAC, blind-spot collision warning, front collision prevention assist, lane-keeping assist, driver attention assist and so on, these features were missing on the first-gen.

History lessons: Hyundai Motors India: The Name You Know, The History You Don’t

So now, the final question, will the Hyundai Tucson 4th Gen come to India?

Well, during the showcasing and revealing of the models across the globe, Hyundai seems to have missed out India. So does this mean, Indians will miss out another generation? Yes, it seems highly likely. Although, India being one of the biggest automotive markets in the world now, might see the launch later. But for now, it is what it is!

What are your thoughts on the all-new Tucson? Do let us know in the comments section below!

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