2027 Hyundai Tucson spied with boxy new look

The fifth-generation Hyundai Tucson has been spied undergoing hot weather testing in southern Europe, providing key clues to the design of the replacement for one Australia’s top-selling mid-size SUVs.

While the prototype seen here is covered in heavy cladding to disguise the details, we can see the car’s basic silhouette and some of its styling elements.

Compared to the current Tucson, which has a rounded overall shape punctuated by sharp creases and plenty of contrasting body surfaces, the next-generation Tucson looks to have a squarer profile.

The wrap-around bonnet is flatter and rectangular in form, and is married to a more upright front fascia.

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The current Tucson has multiple driving light pods integrated into a deep and wide grille, but the new model will have a different design. We can’t be sure yet, but the opening in the disguise suggests the functional part of the grille will sit half way down the fascia.

There’s a headlight unit poking through in the lower portion of the disguise, indicating the new Tucson will once again have a split headlight treatment.

Along the side, we can see the car now has round wheel-arches, and an interesting wing mirror design. There’s also a sharp visor-like window design with blacked out A-pillars, similar to the look sported by the larger Santa Fe.

The tailgate seems to be less upright than on the larger SUV, though. With all the cladding attached to the rear-end, we can’t tell whether the Tucson inherits the controversial tail-light treatment of the latest Santa Fe (pictured below).

Reports indicate the interior will be graced by Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment system, which is based on the Android Automotive operating system, giving it built-in access to Google Maps, the search giant’s voice recognition assistant, and the company’s app store.

It’s unclear what drivetrains the new Tucson will be available with, but currently the local range is sold with a 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels, and a 132kW/264Nm 1.6-litre hybrid system with front- or all-wheel drive.

With the car’s most recent update, Hyundai Australia dropped the 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine from the local range (outside of the hybrid). The closely related Kia Sportage is also available with a 137kW/416Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

The Tucson is one of Hyundai Australia’s most popular models. To the end of July this year, the company has sold 12,186 examples, which was fewer than only the Kona small SUV (13,144) and almost double the number of i30 small sedans and hatchbacks sold (6472).

MORE: Everything Hyundai Tucson