'Hyundai Tucson' Surpasses 10 Million Cumulative Global Sales, Fully Redesigned Six Years Later—First Hyundai SUV to Feature 'Pleos Connect'

[Financial News] Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the fifth-generation fully redesigned model of its compact sports utility vehicle (SUV), the all-new Hyundai Tucson. Six years after the fourth-generation model was launched in September 2020, the new model introduces the company's 'Art of Steel' design language for the first time. It is also the first Hyundai SUV to feature the next-generation infotainment platform Pleos Connect, as the company seeks to cement its leadership in the compact SUV market.
Hyundai Motor Company held the 'All-New Hyundai Tucson Media Day' at the CJ ENM Studio Center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on the 18th and unveiled the new Tucson's design and features. The powertrain lineup consists of a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid system. Prices will be announced in October.
Hyo Jun Yoon, head of Hyundai Motor Company's Domestic Business Division, said, "Since its initial launch in 2004, the Tucson has grown into a global SUV representing Hyundai Motor Company, surpassing 10 million units in cumulative global sales this year. This reflects Hyundai Motor Company's commitment to making the Tucson an SUV that customers can always trust and rely on."
The new Tucson measures 4,700 mm in overall length, 1,905 mm in width, 1,685 mm in height, and 2,785 mm in wheelbase—60 mm, 40 mm, 20 mm, and 30 mm larger than the previous model, respectively. Second-row headroom has increased by 29 mm to 1,031 mm, while legroom has grown by 14 mm to 1,064 mm. Cargo capacity has also expanded by 22 liters. The second-row door opening angle has widened from 73 degrees to 83 degrees.
Man-gyu Seo, head of Hyundai Motor Company's MLV Project 1 Office, explained, "Although the vehicle's dimensions have increased, we achieved a comfortable ride by enhancing body rigidity through measures such as increasing front-strut stiffness and applying rear stays to the cross members."
The exterior features vertically oriented H-Edge lighting daytime running lights, a horizontal slim center lamp with indirect illumination, and prism-shaped rear lamps. A new XRT trim with a dedicated grille, wheel-arch cladding, and skid plates is also being offered. The exterior is available in eight colors, including five new options, while the interior comes in four colors, including three new options.
Beomsoo Cho, head of Hyundai Motor Company's Exterior Design Office, said, "We sought to embody the Tucson's honest boldness through a daring exterior and an intuitive user experience."
The gasoline model produces a maximum output of 193 PS and maximum torque of 27.0 kgf·m, representing a 13 PS increase over the previous model. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model features a next-generation hybrid system based on TMED-II and delivers a system output of 245 PS, maximum torque of 38.7 kgf·m, and combined fuel economy of 17.4 km/L.
The hybrid model also includes E-Traction, which uses the drive motor to control the vehicle's vertical and longitudinal movements, and Stay Mode, which allows the climate control system and infotainment to be used while the engine is off. The coefficient of drag (Cd) has been reduced from 0.33 to 0.30 by optimizing the rear spoiler and 17-inch wheel design and applying external active air flaps.
The interior is equipped with Pleos Connect, a first for a Hyundai SUV. A 17-inch or 12.9-inch center display and a 9.9-inch slim display come standard. The system supports the large language model (LLM)-based AI agent Gleo AI, an app market, and Routine, a feature that automatically executes functions based on preset conditions.
Safety features have also been enhanced. The Tucson is the first Hyundai vehicle to feature "door-unlock power redundancy," which maintains the door-unlocking function using backup power even if the main power supply is cut off in a collision. Ground View, which displays the area beneath the front of the vehicle, and Memory Reverse Assist are the first such features in their class. In addition, Pedal Misoperation Safety Assist, Forward Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, nine airbags, and Rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 come standard across all trims.
Yoon said, "Going forward, the Tucson will continue to serve as an SUV that accompanies customers in their diverse daily lives and as a model representing Hyundai Motor Company's competitiveness in global markets."
[email protected] Dong-chan Kim Reporter