The 2027 Hyundai Tucson has finally been revealed, along with all of the important details like its dimensions, engines, and some of its trims. Those are all important aspects of the small SUV, which is itself critical to Hyundai because it’s the automaker’s biggest seller in America. The most standout feature of the car, though, is undoubtedly the design. It doesn’t look anything like its predecessor, and that can be risky for a popular vehicle. Why do it?
According to the senior vice president and head of Hyundai’s design center, it’s partly because Hyundai did that with the last model.
2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro from the front three-quarter angleJoel Stocksdale / CarBuzz / Valnet
Hyundai Isn’t Afraid Of Going Big
That senior vice president is Simon Loasby, and he said that they wrestled a bit with the decision to do something more evolutionary, or something dramatic. Their inspiration for going radical came from the outgoing model.
“We actually questioned ourselves, ‘Can we make such a big jump, or should we make such a big jump from something which was arguably very successful?’ So we looked back at the step between the third generation and fourth generation where we completely tore up the rule book and made such a big step. It works.” —Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center Simon Loasby
He’s not kidding. The third-generation Tucson that launched for 2016 was a fairly typical small SUV. It had soft but tidy lines, a bit of plastic cladding to bolster its tall SUV shape, and was handsome, if not striking. The fourth and current generation launched for 2022, and looked nothing like the third-gen SUV. Its running lights blended into the jewel-like grille. Every panel had dramatic curves and creases. The whole shape looked sleeker and sportier. You wouldn’t guess the two were the same model.
2025 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid front 3/4 viewHyundai
The push to be bold and different also comes from high up in the company. As Loasby continued about the clean-sheet design, he brought up how Hyundai’s chairperson, Euisun Chung influenced the team. Loasby said, “Our chairman is someone who says to us, ‘Move on. Move on. Raise the bar. Move on. Don’t look back so much. Look forwards.” Apparently, Chung would also pop in and ask the team, “Is it sensational?” Loasby explained that this was a request to go even farther.
2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro from the rear three-quarter angleJoel Stocksdale / CarBuzz / Valnet
Again, the Tucson isn’t the only evidence of Hyundai’s design team pushing the boundaries of styling. The whole Ioniq range looks unlike anything else you can find on the market, and each model even looks dramatically different. The Ioniq 5 is all sharp edges and retro cues, whereas the Ioniq 6 is pure curvature and aerodynamic efficiency.
What Are Some Of The Most Interesting Details?
While the blocky, faceted exterior of the Tucson is eye-catching on its own, you’ll find yourself lingering on some of the smaller and more intricate parts of the design. Those parts also have some neat stories behind them. The most exemplary of these details are the taillights.
Close-up of the 2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro taillightJoel Stocksdale / CarBuzz / Valnet
The Lights Are A Blend Of Form And Function
The main lights are the vertical, crystal-like pieces on either side of the tailgate. That shape is just transparent plastic, lit by a flush panel inside, which is a clear white when off. From some angles you can see right through it, and small strakes were added for extra interest. The rearmost plane is slightly frosted to pick up the light from the actual lamps. The center lamp in the hatch is also interesting as what you see is a reflection off the body panel.
Close-up of the 2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro taillightJoel Stocksdale / CarBuzz / Valnet
These lights, especially the crystal-shaped parts, are mesmerizing, and you would think that they were part of the design from the start because of their uniqueness. That wasn’t the case. Loasby revealed that the Tucson initially had somewhat conventional, flush-fitting taillights. At the same time, the design team was working on the new Avante, which we’ll eventually get as the new Elantra. The new light design was created for that car, and the team, including the head of global design for both Hyundai and Genesis, SangYup Lee, liked it enough to want to put it on the Tucson.
2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro from the rearJoel Stocksdale / CarBuzz / Valnet
There was a problem, though. Loasby said that the Tucson’s design had been finalized when the team wanted to change the taillights. Changing the design would be expensive. The design team figured out that they could make some of the cladding a single piece that would be cheaper to help cover some of the cost. They even found out that the lights even aided aerodynamics, making it a slam dunk.
There Are Cues Inspired By Other Korean Designs
Looking at the Tucson in profile, you’ll notice a prominent diagonal crease down either rear door. It emphasizes the rear fenders, but Loasby said he took inspiration from traditional Korean clothing called “hanbok.” When worn, the robe-like clothing can show a strong diagonal line from one part of the garment overlapping the other.
2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro from the sideJoel Stocksdale / CarBuzz / Valnet
You can even find similar lines in the Tucson’s cabin. Open up the front doors, and you’ll find one long diagonal line running from the top of the interior panel to the bottom. On one side, pushed right up to the line, is the door handle and the armrest. On the other are the door speakers, window switches, and contrasting wood grain trim. The lower part of the panel also features even more diagonal lines that match the main one.
Close-up of the 2027 Hyundai Tucson interior door panelJoel Stocksdale / CarBuzz / Valnet
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
What’s quite clear about Hyundai is that it’s not interested in playing it “safe.” This is a company that wants to be the most unique, exciting, impressive automaker that it can. It’s certainly a strategy that has risks. If it does something the public isn’t interested in, it could cost it. However, it could also reap large rewards by having vehicles that grab attention, even from people willing to buy the same thing as ever.
The other thing about the Tucson is that it’s a big seller for Hyundai, but it’s also in the biggest, most competitive part of the market, so standing out could make a big difference.
