A heavily camouflaged version of the next-generation Hyundai Tucson has been spied testing ahead of its expected global launch later this year, and an unconfirmed Australian launch in 2027.
The Tucson was Hyundai’s second best-selling model in Australia, behind only the Kona, in 2025. This trend continued into January 2026, when its Toyota RAV4 key rival stumbled amid supply issues and the Mazda CX-5 topped the segment.
New generations of all three mid-size SUVs are due in showrooms from 2026, with the RAV4 and CX-5 revealed last year ahead of their local arrivals.
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A new Tucson therefore won’t be far behind them, replacing the current, fourth-generation model which went on sale in Australia in 2021 and received a facelift in 2024.
The new, fifth-generation Tucson is expected to adopt a striking new look with a squared-off, boxier exterior design in place of the current model’s more rounded, sculpted styling.
The first production vehicle to use Hyundai’s new design language – called ‘Art of Steel’ – was the second-generation Nexo, wearing much sharper creases than its predecessor.
Evidence of this boxier look has also appeared in spy shots of the smaller Hyundai Kona SUV, and it may also carry over to Hyundai’s upcoming body-on-frame ute, which is expected to rival the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Kia Tasman.
The interior, not visible in these images, is also expected to gain additional technology within a more angular design inspired by the Nexo and last year’s Crater concept, including Hyundai’s new Android Automotive-based Pleos Connect operating system.
Hybrid variants are expected to continue in the new Tucson lineup, after diesel power was dropped from the Australian range in 2024.
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain has been available for the Tucson overseas since 2022, and while it hasn’t been offered locally, it could be added to the new-generation lineup in Australia.
The Toyota RAV4 will introduce a PHEV option as part of its next-generation lineup in Australia from 2026, while the Mazda CX-5 is set to add a hybrid powertrain in 2027, though not a plug-in version.
A hybrid powertrain could also be the gateway to a hot N version of the Tuscon, with Hyundai’s performance division looking to expand its lineup to 18 models by 2030.
In the meantime, as the price leader at $40,100 before on-road costs, the current base Tucson uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW and 192Nm, with a claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 8.1L/100km.
That compares with the hybrid’s 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combination, which delivers a combined 172kW and 367Nm and a claimed 5.3L/100km combined fuel figure.
Hyundai Australia will launch another mid-size SUV this year with the electric Elexio electric SUV, alongside the new Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell SUV.
