Hyundai's All-New Fifth-Generation Tucson: Specs and Features Revealed in Korea

Hyundai Motor presented the engineering behind its fifth-generation Tucson to the Korean press and public in two stages: a design unveiling on September 18, 2026 at the CJ ENM Studio Center in Paju, followed by a two-day technical deep dive called "The all-new TUCSON Tech·Experience Day" on October 7–8, 2026 at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang, according to Motor Magazine, MotorGraph and The NewsCJ.

The reveal comes as Hyundai says the Tucson line passed 10 million cumulative global sales in 2025, the first time one of its SUVs has reached that figure since the model debuted in 2004, Global Economic reported.

Two Engines: Updated Gasoline and Hybrid Outputs

For the Korean market, Hyundai confirmed two powertrains: a 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine and a 1.6-liter turbo hybrid system. The gasoline engine now produces 193 horsepower, a 13-horsepower increase, and is paired with a new 8-speed automatic transmission replacing the previous 7-speed dual-clutch unit, MotorGraph and CarGuy reported. The hybrid's combined system output rises by 10 horsepower to 245 horsepower, using what Hyundai calls its next-generation hybrid system with two motors, per MotorGraph.

Motor Magazine listed the gasoline engine's torque at 27.0 kgf·m and the hybrid's at 38.7 kgf·m, alongside the same fuel-economy figures. In a road test from Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang to Gimpo, roughly 90 km over about two hours on city roads, expressways and highways, The NewsCJ recorded 10.1 km/L on the gasoline model during real-world mixed driving, against the official combined rating of 12.2 km/L.

A Larger Body With More Cabin Room

The new Tucson grows in every dimension. Overall length increases by 60 mm to 4,700 mm, width by 40 mm to 1,905 mm, height by 20 mm to 1,685 mm, and wheelbase by 30 mm to 2,785 mm, according to Motor Magazine. Second-row legroom expands by 14 mm and headroom by 29 mm to 1,031 mm, while shoulder room grows by 6 mm in both rows, MotorGraph and CarGuy reported. Rear doors now open to 83 degrees, up from 73 degrees. Trunk capacity rises to 645 liters on the gasoline version (+23 liters) and 639 liters on the hybrid (+29 liters).

Hyundai describes the exterior under an "Art of Steel" design language. The clamshell hood is 15% longer with 50% greater vertical volume, the side panels carry about 20% more volumetric emphasis, and the rear fender angle increases by roughly 13 degrees compared with the outgoing model, CarGuy and Global Economic reported. Aerodynamic changes — including a reshaped rear spoiler, active air flaps and revised underside shaping — cut the drag coefficient from 0.33 to 0.30 Cd.

Body Strength and Nine Airbags

Hyundai says the share of high-strength steel in the body rises from 55.2% to 58%, with B-pillar strength increased from 1.5 GPa to 1.8 GPa. According to MotorGraph, torsional rigidity improves by 20.7% and bending rigidity by 34.5%, while side-impact occupant survival space grows by about 22.7%.

• Nine airbags as standard equipment
• A dual-power door unlock system that Motor Magazine describes as a Hyundai first
• Forward parking collision-avoidance assist
• A ground-view camera system
• Memory reverse assist, per Motor Magazine

Cabin Technology and Sound Insulation

Motor Magazine reported that the new Tucson introduces Hyundai's first "Pleos Connect" infotainment platform, which includes a generative-AI agent called "Gleo AI" and an in-car app marketplace. Other cabin features listed by MotorGraph and CarGuy include dual wireless phone charging, a hidden palm-rest tray, second-row door-trim cup holders, and Hyundai's AddGear modular cargo accessories.

To reduce noise, Hyundai thickened the front side glass from 4 mm to 5 mm and expanded the use of sound-absorbing glass, according to The NewsCJ. MotorGraph and CarGuy added that engine and transmission mounts were redesigned with a flap structure and dual stopper, and high-density PU foam was added under the floor carpet to limit vibration and noise reaching the cabin.

Pricing and Korea Launch Timing

As of the technical reveal, Hyundai had not published Korean retail prices. Motor Magazine reported that the company said pricing would be announced in October 2026, alongside the start of domestic sales. CarGuy's coverage of the October 11 recap of the Tech·Experience Day signaled an expected price increase tied to the new platform and expanded equipment, without citing specific figures.

Because official pricing, trim names and overseas rollout dates were still pending at the time of these reports, buyers comparing the new Tucson with the outgoing model or with rivals will need to wait for Hyundai's formal Korean price announcement before final configurations are confirmed.