2021 Hyundai Tucson To Adopt Bolder Styling, Electrified Powertrains

Hyundai is readying the fourth generation Tucson, with our spy photographers capturing several prototypes testing on the roads of Germany.

Despite the thick wraps that cover most of the exterior, we can still spot some of the novelties, such as the big grille with its sharp and angular details, as well as the slender headlights and new DRLs positioned beneath them.

At this point it’s fairly obvious that the new Tucson will adopt a more mature version of the Kona’s front end and that is OK in our book.

Compared to its predecessor, the new Tucson has more pronounced lines on the sides and the roofline appears to be more arched behind the B pillars. Don’t worry about the huge hump, as it’s there to hide the new design of the tailgate, bumper, and taillights.

Expected before the end of the year, the 2021 Tucson is understood to benefit the 2.5-liter Theta3 engine in North America. The four-cylinder unit should be offered in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms and will be hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0-liter GDI from the Sonata Hybrid, where it puts out a combined 192 HP, could be part of the offering in a new hybrid model.

European customers on the other hand could get the 1.6-liter T-GDI and 1.6-liter GDI power units, and perhaps a diesel. As usual, base models will have to make do with front-wheel drive, while going for an upper spec will unlock the all-wheel-drive option.