Update: ‘Interior & Features’ revised details on Pleos Connect.
On October 20, 2024, South Korean publication ET News exclusively reported that Hyundai already started development of the next-gen Hyundai Tucson, codenamed NX5. The local news outlet, which frequently reports on future models from domestic OEMs, said that the SUV would be launched in the Korean market in the first half of 2026.
The fifth-generation Tucson will offer gasoline, hybrid (HEV), and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options. Having experienced all three models firsthand, I have the following expectations for the next-gen Tucson family.
Design
The Tucson was updated for the 2025 model year in America and will remain fresh until the arrival of the next generation. We expect the NX5 Tucson to take on a slightly boxier shape compared to the current SUV. It should feature sharp styling based on Hyundai’s “Art of Steel” design philosophy which debuted in the Initium Concept. We expect a bold grille, pixel-inspired split headlamps, armor-like bumper, muscular fenders, groove patterns on the doors, and rugged roof racks to advance the design of the Tucson for the next decade.
Like today, we’re expecting Hyundai to lay out the next-gen Tucson in the optional N-Line variant for buyers who want a bit more sportiness, and in the XRT trim with higher ground clearance and body cladding targeting outdoor enthusiasts in the U.S.
Interior & Features
Hyundai does not use the same dashboard and layout across powertrain variants, keeping things more conventional in ICE-powered models. That said, we expect it to be appointed with quality materials and metallic finishes to lift the ambiance.
Pleos Connect
At its ‘Pleos 25’ developer conference held in Seoul on March 28, 2025, the company announced its next-gen infotainment system ‘Pleos Connect’ which will be deployed in over 20 million vehicles by 2030, with the in-car rollout starting in Q2 2026.
The Tucson NX5 is expected to be either the first or among the first Hyundais to adopt the system. Pleos Connect will replace the ccNC and ccNC Lite platforms, and brings a smartphone-style UI, multi-window support, and voice control through ‘Gleo AI’. Built on Android Automotive OS, the system supports app integration and personalized profiles via Pleos ID. It should continue supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Feature-rich
Owners of the next-gen Tucson should have no complaints about features, as we predict it will tick every box. Head Up Display, Terrain Mode, digital key, heated and ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, Bose premium audio system, and fingerprint scanner are expected to continue in the top-end variants.
Specifications
Hybrid
At the company’s CEO Investor Day on August 28, 2024, Hyundai’s top boss Jaehoon Chang confirmed that the company will introduce improved hybrid powertrains in future models. Hyundai’s next-generation TMED-II (Transmission Mounted Electric Device II) system will offer “significantly” better performance and fuel economy compared to the first-gen TMED which powers vehicles like the Tucson and Santa Fe Hybrids.
With the recent slowdown in EV transition, the demand for hybrids has been picking up, with hybrids now being seen more as a basic choice of vehicle rather than a replacement for ICE.
Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, at the CEO Investor Day on August 28, 2024
TMED-II will offer smart regenerative braking, which should allow the driver to adjust between comfort and energy harvesting while improving braking energy recuperation. As seen in the new Palisade Hybrid, with “Stay” mode, it can reserve the traction battery’s stored energy for use at a set destination in the navigation system. V2L, where occupants can use the traction battery to power appliances or tools, is another feature of the next-gen hybrid powertrain.
The hybrids we are set to release in the future have even greater marketability featuring hybrid-specialized premium technology such as smart regenerative braking, V2L, and more.
Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, at the CEO Investor Day on August 28, 2024
A quieter cabin under hard acceleration, optimized suspension for a better balance of comfort and sportiness, smoother low-speed operation, and better highway efficiency would greatly improve the Tucson Hybrid’s appeal stateside. The upcoming TMED-II system promises to help address the last two areas.
Plug-in Hybrid
As for the next-gen Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, I expect to see the EV range nudge towards 40 miles (EPA), thanks to a bigger battery. A slightly higher towing capacity and a larger cargo hold are essential for Hyundai to ensure the Tucson PHEV competes effectively with the next-gen RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid. Both electrified Tucsons should continue with the standard six-speed automatic gearbox and HTRAC AWD.
Hyundai is developing an EREV (Range Extender) powertrain for launch next year. The U.S.-spec Santa Fe and Genesis GV70 are expected to be first recipients, but it is unlikely to reach the compact SUV segment in the near future due to lower range demands and cost constraints.
Price & Release Date
We expect the all-new Tucson Hybrid to begin at around $35,000, with the Plug-in Hybrid priced from around $43,000. Considering that it is programmed for its Korean launch in the first half of 2026, the U.S. could welcome it for MY2027 towards the end of next year. The redesigned Tucson is set to compete with the next-gen Mazda CX-5 Hybrid, next-gen Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, next-gen Nissan Rogue Hybrid, the new Subaru Forester Hybrid, and the Honda CR-V Hybrid facelift.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
