Hyundai promises eight new SUVs by 2020

Hyundai Motor America has promised to release eight new or re-engineered SUVs (or crossover utility vehicles, as it calls them) in the US by 2020, starting with the Kona compact SUV.

Few details were provided alongside the announcement at the Hyundai America Technical Center overnight, other than the fact they will “encompass models from the A-segment (entry level) size class all the way up to the eight-passenger midsize class”.

Set to debut “at major auto shows including those in Detroit, New York and Los Angeles”, Hyundai said the upcoming CUVs will showcase its latest petrol engine, diesel engine, hydrogen fuel-cell and battery electric technologies and make it the only manufacturer to offer SUV customers four different fuel choices.

However, our sources and the accompanying image reveal a number of key details about the eight new Hyundai SUVs (including new powertrain variants), many of which will be sold in Australia.

While the Kona went on sale here in October and is also expected to be fitted with an electrified powertrain, we know Hyundai will release a new-generation fuel-cell (FCV) SUV, a facelifted Tucson medium SUV and an all-new Santa Fe large SUV, which should also bring an electrified powertrain option, globally next year.

The remaining two new, yet-to-be-revealed CUVs – a sub-Kona entry-level crossover and a range-topping eight-seat SUV – are the most interesting and, potentially, the most relevant additional models for Australia.

Although neither model has been officially confirmed for right-hand drive production and therefore local release, we understand Hyundai’s new full-size SUV will be a global model to replace North America’s large seven-seat Veracruz crossover.

The Korean giant’s all-new baby SUV, meantime, should also be a global model that will effectively create a new A-segment micro-SUV class, could be priced well below $20,000 and may even replace Hyundai’s smallest passenger model – the Accent – at the bottom of its range.

“Very soon we are going to have the most diverse CUV powertrain lineup in the industry,” said Hyundai Motor America vice-president, product, corporate and digital planning, Mike O’Brien.

“These vehicles will show the engineering prowess of the more than 13,000 engineers Hyundai Motor Company has working on current and future models every single day. Our customers are going to have a lot of great CUV choices in our dealerships.

“The Kona is only the beginning of our product revolution for Hyundai. These vehicles are aimed squarely at the sales leaders in each segment and will emphasise Hyundai’s continued focus on sustainability and efficiency without compromising performance.”