Hyundai locks in hybrid-only Tucson for Australia

HYUNDAI Australia will switch its popular Tucson medium SUV to an exclusively hybrid-powered line-up when the larger and comprehensively redesigned fifth-generation model arrives locally in mid-2027.

The move will see conventional petrol power dropped from the Australian Tucson range, marking a significant change from the current model, which continues to offer both petrol and petrol-electric choices.

Hyundai has also confirmed the more rugged-looking Tucson XRT for Australia, although the more serious XRT PRO unveiled internationally – with additional ground clearance and off-road hardware – will remain a North American proposition.

The confirmation follows Hyundai’s initial reveal of the NX5-series Tucson in August, when Australian powertrain details remained under wraps and an exclusively hybrid line-up was considered likely.

Due in local showrooms around the middle of next year, the new Tucson will adopt Hyundai’s next-generation hybrid system, although Australian outputs, fuel consumption, front- and all-wheel-drive availability, grades, and pricing are yet to be detailed.

International specifications show the HEV using separate P1 and P2 electric motors – rated at 13kW and 47.7kW respectively – with a 1.49kWh battery and six-speed automatic transmission.

Depending on market, Hyundai quotes combined output of between 236PS and 245PS (174-180kW).

That compares with 172kW and 367Nm from the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powering the current Australian Tucson, which is available in front- and all-wheel drive configurations.

The new hybrid also introduces Hyundai’s E-Traction system, which varies drive torque to reduce wheel slip and improve stability when cornering, as well as an HEV Stay Mode capable of operating climate control, audio and device charging with the combustion engine switched off.

A new Tucson PHEV will also be offered internationally, producing a claimed 292PS (215kW) and providing up to 81km of electric-only range from its 17.1kWh battery, but Hyundai has not confirmed that powertrain for Australia.

The fifth-generation Tucson grows substantially over the outgoing model, with Australia again receiving the Korean-built long-wheelbase version rather than the shorter European-market configuration.

It measures 4700mm long, 1905mm wide and 1685mm high on a 2785mm wheelbase, representing increases of 60mm, 40mm, 20mm and 30mm respectively.

Hyundai says the larger footprint liberates additional cabin space while the exterior adopts its latest Art of Steel styling language, characterised by more muscular wheelarches, cleaner body surfaces, and a substantially more upright SUV stance.

Distinctive H-Edge front lighting and sculptural Prism rear lamps further distinguish the new model, while available Micro Pixel Lighting uses 25,600 individual LEDs to provide precision beam patterns and animated welcome and farewell sequences.

The latter technology is specified for short-wheelbase models, however, and therefore should not yet be considered confirmed for Australia.

Inside, Hyundai has moved away from the increasingly screen-dominated cabin layouts common across the segment, combining a two-tier dashboard with additional open storage and retaining physical buttons for frequently used climate control and audio functions.

A column-mounted shift-by-wire selector frees additional centre-console space, while Hyundai says the new model offers 1036mm of front headroom and 1064mm of rear legroom. Rear door opening angles have also increased from 73 to 83 degrees to improve access.

Technology takes another step forward with Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment architecture.

Based on Android Automotive OS, the system can combine a 17.0- or 12.9-inch central touchscreen with a separate 9.9-inch slim driver display and introduces Gleo AI, Hyundai’s conversational in-car artificial intelligence assistant.

Pleos Connect also supports third-party entertainment and productivity applications without requiring smartphone mirroring and can receive over-the-air software updates. Australian specification for these features is likewise yet to be confirmed.

The locally confirmed XRT will distinguish itself with additional black wheelarch and lower-body cladding, more aggressive bumpers and skid-plate styling, along with a forged-carbon-inspired exterior motif.

Hyundai will additionally unveil a new sport-oriented Tucson derivative at the Paris motor show on October 12, although it has not yet said whether that model – likely to expand on the existing N Line theme – is destined for Australia.

The Tucson remains one of Hyundai’s most important models globally, with more than 11.1 million examples sold since the nameplate debuted in 2004.

Locally, the outgoing Tucson is currently priced from $40,100 plus on-road costs, while the hybrid range starts from $42,850 +ORCs.

The latter competes directly with an expanding group of petrol-electric medium SUVs including the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Nissan X-Trail to name a few.