The New Hyundai Tucson Could Be Its Most Popular Yet

Hyundai’s new Tucson looks dramatically different and has already broken the previous model’s first-day pre-order record.

Photo by: Hyundai

By: Anthony Alaniz

Oct 23, at 4:00pm ET

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Hyundai's new, fifth-generation Tucson features a radical exterior redesign and a tech-focused, yet button-filled cabin. It’s a major departure from the model it replaces, and it is on track to be even more popular than the current SUV that has helped propel the automaker to record sales.

According to The Korean Car Blog, the Tucson has broken its previous one-day pre-order record, racking up 15,045 on the first day the order books opened for the new model. The fourth-generation Tucson launched in 2020 with 10,842 pre-orders.

Buyers overwhelmingly selected the flagship trim, at 44 percent of pre-orders, but cost-conscious consumers made up the next-largest share. Thirty-three percent of pre-orders were for the entry-level trim.

Radical Redesign

2027 Hyundai Tucson Interior

Photo by: Hyundai

The new Tucson does not look like its predecessor. It has sharp, angular styling, and it's larger than the model it replaces. The 2027 Tucson is 2.3 inches longer overall, 1.57 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller, giving it more passenger space.

The cabin features the automaker’s new Pleos infotainment system, which is available with a massive 17.0-inch infotainment screen on the dashboard. Hyundai keeps physical controls, with a slim 9.9-inch driver display atop the dash, better aligned with the driver’s eyeline.

The Old One Is Still Popular

2027 Hyundai Tucson Limited Rear 3/4

Photo by: Hyundai

Despite the next-generation Tucson's immediate arrival, sales for the fourth-generation model in 2026 are outpacing last year’s. So far this year, Hyundai has sold 181,687 Tucson SUVs, an increase of 10.0 percent. Sales in the third quarter were up 32.0 percent.

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The availability of a hybrid certainly helps with gas prices over $4 on average in the US, and the new Tucson will offer two hybrid powertrains out of the three available. The choices are:

Gas: Turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder, 184 hp, up to 28 mpg combined, 9.5 seconds 0-60
Hybrid: Turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder + electric motor, 233 hp, up to 42 mpg combined, 8.5 seconds 0-60
Plug-In Hybrid: Turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder + electric motor, 288 hp, estimated 50 miles of electric range, 7.9 seconds 0-60

The fifth-generation Hyundai Tucson goes on sale in late 2026 or early 2027. Hyundai will release official pricing closer to its on-sale date, and if Korea is any indication, Tucson sales next year could hit a new record.