Hyundai Reveals All-New 2022 Tuscon SUV for the U.S. Market
Hyundai today unveiled its new 2022 Tucson SUV to U.S. media in West Hollywood, California. The all-new Tucson design is derived from a series of Hyundai Design Center concepts expressing its evolving Sensuous Sportiness global design identity.
“Our new Tucson represents the future of Hyundai’s full-spectrum eco-powertrain approach, offering internal combustion, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in a high-volume compact SUV. With all-wheel-drive capability now added to new hybrid SUV platforms, customers no longer need to choose between all-road, all-weather capability and outstanding efficiency,” said Thomas Schemera, executive vice president, head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Group.
Tucson’s exterior styling advances Hyundai’s evolving Sensuous Sportiness design identity. Hyundai designers call it ‘Parametric Dynamics’ with kinetic, jewel-like surface detailing that emphasizes Tucson’s distinct identity in a crowded SUV segment. A the front, innovative half-mirror type daytime running lamps are integrated seamlessly within the parametric grille and only visible when illuminated. Tucson’s side profile conveys an impression of forward motion through a long hood and level roofline coupled with a long wheelbase and short overhangs. The chrome line beginning from the side mirrors follows the arc of the roofline with increasing width and subtly conveys speed as it reaches the C pillar.
Tucson’s interior, or ‘INTERSPACE’, offers multi-layered forms that provide a feeling of openness and serenity. The broad ridge of the dashboard carries over into the doors, wrapping around the front occupants, while a vertically oriented center fascia descends to the console like a waterfall. Twin silver garnish lines stream from the center fascia to the rear doors. Ambient mood lighting is adjustable to 64 colors in ten levels of brightness. The interior offers three new technologies, including a 10.25-inch full-touch screen exempt of hard buttons, a hoodless digital gauge cluster, and multi-air ventilation, a temperature-adjusting system providing diffused airflow on the front passengers. This indirect, diffusing ventilation system reduces potentially unpleasant airflow and is unique in the automotive industry.
The new Tucson offers both a 2.5-liter, direct-injected and multi-port-injected gasoline engine as well as 1.6-liter, direct-injected, turbocharged hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The 2.5-liter engine boasts a healthy 187 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 178 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, with a targeted combined fuel economy of 28 mpg with front-wheel drive. The Hybrid powertrain 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine produces an estimated 177 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, with an estimated 226 total system combined horsepower and an estimated 258 lb.-ft. of torque from the combined hybrid powertrain, with a 44.2 kW electric motor and a 1.49 kWh battery pack. Combined, this hybrid powertrain is 30 percent more fuel efficient than the standard gasoline engine, with 20 percent more torque for effortless daily driving. Driving range is expected to be over 500 miles. Plug-in Hybrid models feature a high-output 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected hybrid powertrain coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Plug-in Hybrid battery is larger than the hybrid battery, with 13.8 kWh of power, yielding an estimated all-electric range (AER) of 28 miles and estimated fuel economy of over 70 MPGe.
Tucson gasoline and hybrid models will be available for the U.S. market in spring 2021, with plug-in models available in summer 2021. The new 2022 Tucson internal combustion models will be produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) and Ulsan, Korea.