Funky, futuristic new Hyundai Tucson to make NZ debut this month

Hyundai’s designers have been incredibly busy in the recent past, producing some of the brand’s most striking and unique looking vehicles in its history. 

The Ioniq 5 is the most obvious example of this. Everyone has an opinion on the slab-sided, slash-filled electric car that’s set to land here later in the year. But, it isn’t just the 5 that’s been given a dose of next-gen looks.

One of Hyundai’s best sellers in New Zealand, the Tucson, is also getting a wild-looking makeover with its next update. And, Kiwis will be able to see the new model in the flesh (or I guess, in the metal) later this month. 

The first of New Zealand’s new Tucsons will be on display at the Fieldays agricultural expo at Mystery Creek in Hamilton on June 16–19. Hyundai are regulars at the event, having previously used it as a vehicle to debut the Nexo, the Genesis G70, the current Veloster, and other Hyundai models. 

The Tucson will be joined at this year’s Fieldays by Hayden Paddon’s Hyundai Kona Electric rally car, its commercial line-up, and its electric line-up. The Hyundai stand will also include students from the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme — an incentive that supports talented youth. 

As previously reported, Hyundai is offering the Tucson with three different engines overseas; a 2.5-litre four producing 140kW/247Nm, and a turbofour 1.6 that’s available as either a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid and produces up to 167kW/350Nm.

Hyundai New Zealand has confirmed that petrol and diesel models will be sold locally, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions under consideration. There’s also a long-wheelbase version of the Tucson that’s also being considered.

Entry-level variants will feature an 8-inch touchscreen, while pricier models get a larger 10.25 touchscreen. Each system comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the ability to connect two devices via Bluetooth simultaneously.