New 2024 Hyundai Tucson SUV: Australian details confirmed

The heavily updated 2024 Hyundai Tucson mid-size SUV has been locked in for a mid-year Australian launch, offering a new and more efficient 1.6-litre mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine, fresh exterior styling and a fully redesigned interior.

The Korean brand’s Toyota RAV4 rival has a new look with segmented daytime running lights, a bolder grille mesh, resculpted front bumper, fresh alloy wheels and a redesigned rear bumper that is said to emphasise the SUV’s width.

Inside, the big news is the overhauled Tucson features Hyundai’s next-generation dual-screen arrangement, mirroring changes wrought on the latest Kia Sportage.

There’s also a new steering wheel, redesigned climate control panel (with physical buttons) and integrated air vents – the combined effect giving the impression of an all-new cabin, rather than simply an overhaul of the three-year-old SUV.

Under the bonnet, the 137kW/416Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel has been dropped for our market.

As a result, the headline powertrain will be a new 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine that pushes out 169kW/350Nm and combines with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Economy is rated at 5.9L/100km (front-wheel drive) or 6.6L/100km (AWD) on the WLTP combined cycle.

Importantly, Hyundai Australia has confirmed that both the front- and all-wheel drive mild-hybrid models will benefit from a bespoke suspension tune that will be tailored to Aussie roads.

The naturally-aspirated front-drive 2.0-litre engine (115kW/192Nm) with six-speed auto and the 1.6-litre turbo AWD (132kW/265Nm) with seven-speed dual-clutch auto carry over unchanged.

When the upgraded Tucson arrives, Hyundai Australia says it will once again be offered with up to three trim levels – base Tucson and Elite, with the flagship Highlander to be replaced by Premium to align with other markets.

Standard features across the range will include LED headlights, the dual 12.3-inch screens, wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and the car-maker’s Bluelink connectivity service, the latter allowing the infotainment system to be updated over-the-air.

Other new options include a head-up display, semi-autonomous cruise control, a choice of new wheel designs and matte paint.

Pricing for the updated 2024 Hyundai Tucson will be announced in the coming weeks in the build-up to its mid-year launch.

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