Rugged by Design
One notable detail in the reveal of the all-new, fifth-gen Hyundai Tucson was the XRT trim, which was previewed alongside the standard model. XRT denotes the brand’s off-road-inspired variants, which can help attract buyers who occasionally venture onto trails or simply enjoy the rugged look.
The press photo only showed the front end of the Tucson XRT, but a spy video from 숏카 SHORTS CAR on YouTube offers a look around what is believed to be the off-road-oriented version. Right off the bat, the spied vehicle looks quite similar to the press photo, though its seemingly more conservative approach becomes more apparent in the metal, especially compared with other XRT models, including the Santa Fe, Santa Cruz, and Ioniq 5, as well as the more comprehensive Palisade XRT Pro.
Breaking From the Blackout
At the front, the spied Tucson XRT gets a mesh-type grille and silver-gray bumper trim, contrasting with the heavily blacked-out treatment associated with XRT models. It is also a departure from the outgoing model’s predominantly black front fascia, against which the Hyundai logo stood out. Black trim often gives off-road or sporty models a more aggressive appearance, while chrome typically adds a more traditional premium touch.
Also absent from view are the red tow hooks found on the Santa Cruz XRT, Ioniq 5 XRT, and Palisade XRT Pro.
Along the sides, the wheel-arch cladding appears grayer in this footage than the outgoing model’s black fender flares, which featured bolt-like decorative accents for an added rugged look. The rocker-panel cladding also appears gray, with similar styling applied at the rear. It does come with blacked-out wheels, adding toughness to the new and boxier appearance of the compact crossover.
A More Muscular Tucson Is Coming
It is worth noting, however, that while Hyundai’s preview of the fifth-gen Tucson XRT and the vehicle in this spy video share similarities, that does not confirm this is the final production version. The Korean marque could still make changes before mass rollout, so this spy video should be viewed more as a glimpse of on-road testing than actual confirmation. Market-specific specifications and launch timing also remain to be confirmed.
The upcoming Tucson will be an important model in the U.S. lineup, given it is the brand’s best-selling model in the country. It goes up against some of the market’s overall top sellers, including the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
