The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is going to almost every major country in the world, but not India. At the digital unveiling of the all-new Tucson this week, on a world map, Hyundai shaded the countries it plans to launch the Tucson (long wheelbase in green and short wheelbase in blue), leaving out India and Brazil. Note that Hyundai has manufacturing plants and produces region-specific models in these countries.
Hyundai seems to have cancelled the fourth-gen Tucson (codename: NX4) launch in India at least for the moment. Two years ago, the company planned to not just launch it in our market but also locally manufacture the product. Hyundai India would have no complaints at this time as the Tucson was just given a facelift and much work is to be done to get the numbers up.
On 18 September 2018, Young Kee Koo, the former MD & CEO of Hyundai (India), enthusiastically confirmed the 2021 Tucson launch in India when he was asked about the launch timeline of the facelifted third-gen Tucson. He then revealed that there will be a three-row version and that India will get that as well (the media called it the Hyundai Tucson Plus)
Koo had said that Hyundai is adding 1.2 lakh Creta customers in India every year, which converts to around 6 lakh customers in 5 years. The company was expecting these customers to upgrade to a Tucson. Check out his quote below:
What is the next generation for them (Creta owners)? It’ll be the Tucson. That’s why we have made the decision to reveal manufacturing for full model change Tucson (NX4). There will be a seven seater variant also.
Young Kee Koo, former MD & CEO, Hyundai (India)
Source: evoindia.com
Hyundai was pumped about its high-end (in Indian parlance) models like the fourth-gen Tucson and the seventh-gen Elantra that it was planning to upgrade dealerships and have a dedicated display section for them. Perhaps the dealership upgrade plan remains, but the fourth-gen Tucson launch is not.
‘Alcazar’ if not the new Tucson
So what if not the Tucson? Hyundai is developing a bigger SUV on the platform of the best-selling Hyundai Creta. The long body Creta (the media is calling it Hyundai Alcazar) could become the company’s flagship SUV next year and offer either extra seats or a large boot depending on the variant. Hyundai could work on a differentiated design to keep it well clear of the Creta and several advanced features (in infotainment and comfort) could bring up its premium quotient. The Alcazar product program could lead to a competitive model for Hyundai in the premium SUV segment without risking a significant investment in an uncertain climate post the pandemic.
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson features a bold design that is a giant leap from the Hyundai SUVs of the past. Even looking at the sophisticated interior, there’s no doubt that the Hyundai Tucson has come a long way since its first iteration in 2004.
The 2021 Tucson’s Parametric Dynamics design features kinetic jewel-like surface details. Parametric Hidden Lights with signature DRLs are matched to the jewel-like grille, visible only when they are switched on. Likewise, the side of the SUV has chiselled surfaces that create a contrasting effect with the silhouette and the wedge, as well as the 19-inch wheels set in angular wheel arches.
At the rear, the wide lamps and the masked light details are other references to the parametric theme. The hidden windscreen wiper and glass-type emblem are the last of the touches that make the design of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson truly stand out from its competitor set.
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson interior (Hyundai calls its ‘INTERSPACE’) has a lower instrument display and does away with the typical gauge cluster. Taking on layered surfaces, the cabin’s centre console is vertically stacked and is designed like a waterfall with two silver garnish lines. The touchscreen AVN system is a 10.25-inch unit and the instrument cluster is also a 10.25-inch display. The steering wheel is the same unit present in the all-new Elantra.
Like the Summon mode of Tesla electric cars, the all-new Hyundai Tucson features an autonomous parking feature called ‘Remote Smart Parking Assist Parametric’. This feature allows the driver to enter or pull out the vehicle from a parking space using a button on the key fob. Hidden Lights LED headlights, connected LED tail lights, 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10.25-inch virtual instrument cluster, ambient lighting with 64 configurable colours and 10 brightness levels, etc. are some other feature highlights of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson.
There are two wheelbase versions: long-wheelbase and short-wheelbase, and most markets are getting the former. The long-wheelbase may come with a seven-seat option in the future, but right now it’s a five-seater.
For the first time, electrification is available, and there are not one but three types of electrification options: mild-hybrid, full-hybrid/strong hybrid and plug-in hybrid. 150 PS 1.6-litre T-GDI 48V petrol, 180 PS 1.6-litre T-GDI 48V petrol and 136 PS 1.6-litre CRDi 48V diesel are the mild-hybrid engines of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid has a 1.6-litre T-GDI HEV engine and 230 PS of combined power, while the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid has a 1.6-litre T-GDI PHEV engine and 265 PS of combined power.
In South Korea, Hyundai started taking pre-orders for the fourth-gen Tucson yesterday. On the first day itself, it received 10,000 pre-bookings.
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