In production since 2015, the third generation Tucson has almost reached retirement age. Its successor is just around the corner and will debut possibly as early as next year, with a substantial visual update that will bring it closer to the mid-sized Santa Fe.
Prototypes of the compact crossover haven’t shed their skin yet, but they have provided us with valuable information on some of the 2021 Tucson’s key design details. Here’s where Kolesa’s work comes in play, with the digital images attempting to fill in the blank spots, or rather, the black and white camo patches.
Naturally, the first thing you’ll notice is the gigantic grille inspired by the one of its larger sibling that seemingly blends with (very) small headlights and an aggressively styled front bumper, which are evident on the test cars.
Also Watch: Consumer Reports: 2019 Hyundai Tucson Is Better, But Still Needs Some Improvements
While the face of the new-gen Tucson looks pretty funky, the rear end is, in comparison, less provocative, being an evolution of the current car with slimmer taillights, reshaped bumper and new tailgate design. It’s anyone’s guess whether these renders are spot on or far from the actual product, as the heavy camouflage and plastic cladding wore by the prototypes make it hard to spot all of the the major styling updates.
Beneath the skin lies the same platform of the Santa Cruz pickup. This means that the two vehicles will share some of the engine lineup, with the 2.5-liter turbocharged and naturally aspirated units being expected in North America, coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Europeans, on the other hand, should get smaller power units, with the 1.6-liter GDI and 1.6-liter T-GDI probably being on the list. A diesel engine is very likely to be introduced too, as well as the hybrid powertrain found in the Sonata. Front-wheel drive will be standard, whereas all-wheel drive will be offered in higher grades.
