Hyundai this week unveiled the facelifted version of the fourth-generation Tucson, and it’s coming to South Africa.
The company’s local subsidiary confirmed to TopAuto that the updated SUV will arrive on our roads in the second half of 2024, most likely in the fourth quarter, though this may still be subject to change at this point in time.
What to expect
It may come as a surprise to hear that the Hyundai Tucson is already getting a facelift, as it only landed in South Africa in March 2022.
However, the current-generation SUV actually launched two years prior in Europe, so the news of this new model lines up with the vehicle’s mid-life update cycle.
The main changes this time around are cosmetic, given that we are not receiving an all-new vehicle, with the most telling difference between the current and incoming models being a tweak to the vehicle’s distinctive front end.
It’s not radical, but the Tucson’s unique grille-integrated “Parametric Jewel” daytime running lights have been altered to have a more rectangular design rather than the angular interpretation used by the first units.
The bumpers and skid plates have been extended to flow more seamlessly from side to side, and the alloy wheels that range from 17 to 19 inches in size are shown to have a new look in the handful of press photos that have been published.
Unfortunately, the company has not yet shared any head-on images of the car’s backend, though it did say that the bumper moulding has been enlarged horizontally to give the impression of a wider wheelbase.
It’s the interior of the popular Hyundai that has seen the biggest overhaul, as the dashboard now features a pair of inter-connected 12.3-inch curved displays for the infotainment and driver monitors, rather than the separate 8.0 and 10.2-inch screens used by the current iteration.
The air vents have also been moved from above to below the screens for a cleaner overall look, and the climate controls are notably using a set of physical knobs in place of the current digital controls for easier adjustments while on the move.
Smaller details include the relocation of the wireless phone charger to be parallel to the cupholders rather than underneath the centre console, and the gearstick has been removed entirely in favour of a selector on the steering wheel.
Since it is a facelift, the engine and model line-up will likely remain unchanged, and while Hyundai said it is too early to say for sure, a spokesperson for the automaker said it should retain the flagship N Line that made its first appearance in South Africa in May this year.
The Tucson is currently sold with two different 2.0-litre powertrains; one that runs on petrol, and another that is turbocharged and uses diesel.
The petrol plants produce 115kW and 192Nm while averaging 8.9l/100km on a typical fuel cycle, while the diesel generates 137kW and 416Nm and consumes 7.4l/100km.
There are two automatic gearboxes available in either a six-speed or eight-speed guise, and the N Line uses an all-wheel-drive setup while the Premium, Executive, and Elite trims use only their front wheels.
The Korean manufacturer does produce a plug-in hybrid version of the SUV for other markets, however, it is still not considering a South African introduction for this model, it confirmed to TopAuto.
More information about the facelifted Hyundai Tucson, including its localized equipment sheet and pricing, will be revealed closer to its domestic launch date in 2024.
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