Spied: Hyundai’s Best-Seller Is Hiding Radical Changes for 2027

The most important model in Hyundai‘s lineup is preparing for a major design overhaul. The 2027 Hyundai Tucson has been spied, and as the automaker’s best-selling model, competing in the largest segment in America, it needs to appeal to the masses. But will it? These spy shots, despite showing a prototype that is almost completely covered in annoyingly effective camouflage, show that the compact crossover will adopt a much boxier look for the new model year, with more angular, sharper features than before. Taking its lead from the Nexo and Santa Fe, the next Tucson is intended to appeal to those who want a vehicle that looks off-road-ready, even if it isn’t, and despite most buyers rarely venturing off the beaten path.

New Tucson Will Look Radically Different

The current NX4 (fourth-generation) Tucson looked very bold when it debuted, with bulging fenders, angular wheel arches, a parametric grille with hidden lighting, and taillights that appeared to be slashed into the bodywork. But that was September 2020, and its design was based on the Vision T Concept showcased a year earlier at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In the six odd years since, the design still feels modern, but it’s not as rugged-looking as some rivals. Therefore, Hyundai will once again catapult the Tucson’s look into the future with minimalistic lighting and an overall more chiseled look.

At the front, we can make out the edges of the daytime running light signature, with holes in the camouflage lower down indicating separate headlight clusters. At the back, the taillights will be slimmer. The shape of each wing mirror will also be revised, and it appears that the roofline will be less slanted, potentially increasing headroom and cargo space. Renders based on similar spy shots have already been created, but we’ll have to wait for the crossover’s launch to see more, as Hyundai rarely lessens camouflage on its development mules.

Multiple Tucson Variants Coming This Year

The NX5 Tucson is expected to debut in the second half of this year with mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. A hot Tucson N with over 300 horsepower is also expected, which aligns with Hyundai’s recent announcement that more N performance models are coming. Whatever powers each Tucson, all of them will get the latest Hyundai PLEOS infotainment system, with large, Tesla-like screens. While customer feedback has revealed an aversion to such a move, previews of Hyundai’s system show at least a few physical buttons and knobs. As mentioned above, the new Tucson is expected to be revealed later this year, so we expect teasers to start being shared in the next couple of months.