The World will “Freak out” Over the Next-gen Tucson, Hyundai Says

Hyundai’s big push toward higher-quality products and bolder designs continued at the New York Auto Show with the official debut of the completely reimagined 2020 Hyundai Sonata sedan (which we previously had exclusive access to in South Korea) and the all-new Venue subcompact crossover.

Apparently, we’ve only seen the beginning.

Right now, the oldest SUV in the lineup is the Tucson. The current generation was launched for 2016 and it received a cosmetic update this year. However, a brand new model is on the way and one of the company’s top officials is saying engineers and designers are really pushing the envelope as they go back to the drawing board.

Photo: Hyundai

“The whole world will freak out over the [next-generation Tucson],” Hyundai’s global vice-president of design SangYup Lee told Motor Authority in an interview.

The vehicle is expected to offer another take on Hyundai’s “Sensuous Sportiness” design language, with some elements inspired by the Le Fil Rouge concept that debuted at the 2018 Geneva Auto Show.

Photo: Michel Deslauriers

Lee hinted that the new Tucson will have its very own personality (like the Venue’s polarizing grille, “it doesn't have to be loved by everybody,” he said) while incorporating super-cool touches like the Sonata’s signature LED light strips that extend from the headlights and into the hood. A sportier-looking N Line variant or even a full-on Tucson N could be part of the plan, as well.

Whether it’s as a 2020 or 2021 model, the next-generation Hyundai Tucson will need to make a big statement in order to stand out from other freshly redesigned compact SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, the Subaru Forester and of course the 2020 Ford Escape.

In the meantime, make sure you read our 2019 Hyundai Tucson review.

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