2027 Hyundai Tucson: More powerful petrol, rugged XRT variants detailed ahead of Australian launch

More details on the fifth-generation Hyundai Tucson have been revealed following its August reveal, with the Korean brand also showing off more of the rugged XRT trim.

The new mid-size SUV will go on sale in its home market of South Korea in October 2026, ahead of an Australian launch during the first half of 2027.

In addition to the previously confirmed 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid four-cylinder powertrain, which will offer total system outputs of 180kW of power and 380Nm of torque, the next Tucson will be offered with a non-hybrid 1.6-litre turbo four.

This produces 142kW and 265Nm, up 10kW on the outgoing Tucson’s 1.6T powertrain which was axed here for 2026.

Its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has also been swapped out for an eight-speed torque-converter unit, promising “more effortless driving performance and smoother shifting feel”.

Hyundai Australia has previously confirmed it is being offered the Tucson with multiple powertrains, though it has hinted it will launch the model with hybrid power only. A petrol option could follow shortly thereafter, however, as the brand also did with the larger Santa Fe and Palisade.

The XRT is a more off-road-focused Tucson variant, distinguished externally by a unique front grille and skid plate plus unusually patterned wheel-arch extensions like those seen on the US-market Ioniq 5 XRT.

Hyundai says this is aimed at "customers who prefer an outdoor lifestyle", with the changes intended to "emphasise a rugged impression and off-road sensibility". It's unclear how much off-road ability is improved over the regular Tucson.

This will be the first time Hyundai will offer an XRT version of the Korean-built Tucson, though the US-built version of the outgoing generation gained an XRT variant for model year 2022.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed it plans to expand its range of XRT and XRT Pro variants, which currently includes an XRT option package for the Santa Fe and a specific XRT Pro variant of the Palisade.

Measuring 4700mm long, 1905mm wide and 1685mm tall on a 2785mm wheelbase, the new Tucson is 60mm longer and 40mm wider on a 30mm longer wheelbase than its predecessor. Its drag coefficient has been improved despite its increased size, dropping from 0.33 to 0.30Cd.

Hyundai claims an increase in second-row headroom of 29mm, while the rear doors now open at 83 degrees (up from 73 degrees) for greater ingress and egress.

The Korean automaker says it has reduced vibration and noise, adding sound-absorbing pads to the dashboard panel to prevent engine noise from reaching the cabin, and using thicker front door glass to limit wind noise.

Hyundai says it has also improved stability and ride comfort "by increasing the rigidity of the connection point between the front wheel suspension and the body, and reinforcing the underbody structure supporting the rear wheel suspension"; it has also integrated a new suspension valve that allows for greater tuning freedom.

Hybrid variants feature E-Traction, which uses the drive motor to control the vehicle's vertical and front-to-back movements to ensure stable handling and a comfortable ride, and Inertial Driving Guidance, which uses the satellite navigation to predict when the driver can take their foot off the accelerator pedal.

Up front, there are available 12.9-inch or 17-inch infotainment touchscreens, with the Tucson becoming the first Hyundai SUV with the brand's new Pleos Connect infotainment system. This integrates an app store and Gleo AI, a generative AI agent claimed to understand natural conversation and able to control vehicle functions and access knowledge and travel recommendations, among other functions.

Ahead of the driver sits a slim, high-mounted digital instrument cluster, as seen in other new-generation Hyundais such as the Ioniq 3. Available interior features include 100W USB-C outlets, a wireless phone charger, and an Audio by Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The interior will be offered not only in black, but also three two-tone colourways: Mud Grey and Dove Grey; Black and Sand Beige; and Black and Inlay Soil Brown. It's unclear if all of these will be offered here, but Hyundai offers lighter interior options on various models locally.

New safety features include Pedal Misoperation Safety Assist, which limits acceleration if the system detects the accelerator pedal has been mistakenly pressed; and Forward Parking Collision Avoidance Assist (PCA-F), which assists with braking if it detects an imminent low-speed collision with a pedestrian or obstacle.

Hyundai has also added Door Unlock Power Redundancy, which uses backup power to maintain the door unlock function even if main power is cut off following a collision. In less dire circumstances, a new Stay Mode for hybrid variants will allow functions like the climate control and infotainment to be used for a certain period while stationary, like in an electric vehicle (EV).

A new Memory Reverse Assist feature can also remember the vehicle's trajectory and control the steering when reversing, joining a suite of active safety and driver-assist features that also includes Rear Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2, and a surround-view camera system with a ground view mode.

Until the new-generation Tucson arrives here, Hyundai has the current model available with both a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid. It appears the 2.0-litre is finally being pensioned off with the launch of the new Tucson.

Hyundai's sister brand Kia is also working on a new-generation Sportage, expected to be revealed this year. The Korean twins will take on a raft of new mid-size SUVs, including a new Rogue/X-Trail duo from Nissan. The Rogue is launching in the US first this year, with an Australian launch possibly occurring later in 2027 or in 2028.

The number of Chinese offerings in this segment is set to expand, too. In addition to a new generation of GWM Haval H7 later this year and Haval H6 in 2027, Chery will launch the Lepas L6 later this year and the Omoda 7 and iCaur V25 in 2027.

MORE: Explore the Hyundai Tucson showroom