Hyundai Reveals 2022 Tucson for U.S. Market

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

On Monday, Hyundai revealed the 2022 Hyundai Tucson that’s coming to the North American market. While the model technically made its debut back in September, we were forced to settle for the Euro-spec version. However, differences between the two are scant, with the U.S. reveal offering supplemental information and more detailed photography from the manufacturer.

The design is easy on the eyes and adheres to Hyundai’s current trend of providing interesting styling that knows exactly when to stop. The brand has miraculously failed to design a hideous automobile of late, despite constantly delivering vehicles with unique exteriors. Hyundai calls this one “Parametric Dynamics” because of the way the contrasting shapes and patterns play off each other to deliver something semi-traditional. While that sounds like marketing garbage, you can actually see this phenomenon in action in profile shots where intentionally angular budges play off each other to give a rounded appearance. It’s a highly non-traditional way of giving the Tucson a traditional shape and works surprisingly well.

Meanwhile, the sizable grille integrates the running lights and turn signals — giving the front a clean look despite how much is actually going on up there. Headlamps ride a little lower (Hyundai Kona style) and the rear lights look like they might have been lifted off an early draft of the Mustang Mach-E. Had it not come together so effectively, there would be a lot of oddball choices to dwell on. That’s especially true since the interior is pretty straightforward by comparison. Instrumentation exists as a rectangular lump positioned behind the steering wheel, with the center console being much the same. It’s drab but not wholly unappealing.

An 8-inch touchscreen (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) is standard on the base SE model, as is a small 4.2-inch display sandwiched between analog gauges. SEL-trimmed Tucsons receive a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster to replace physical instrumentation as an option but it’s standard on the Limited. The latter also comes with a matching 10.2-inch central touchscreen running Hyundai’s latest software. It looks great but replaces just about every physical control you could imagine (including the volume knob) with touch-activated garbage.

We know we’re beating a horse that died years ago but switches and knobs are always better.

The Tucson’s base engine is a 2.5-liter four-banger producing 187 horsepower (at 6,100 rpm) and 178 pound-feet of torque (at 4,000 rpm). That adds 26 hp and 28 lb-ft of torque atop the outgoing Tucson’s 2.0-liter straight-four. It also edges out the optional 2.4-liter engine by a handful of ponies. Transmission options are limited to an eight-speed automatic (standard front-wheel drive; optional all-wheel drive) unless you’re considering adding a side of electrification.

The more-traditional hybrid option pairs a turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline motor with an electric mill and one 1.49-kilowatt-hour battery pack for a combined output of 226 hp and 258 lb-ft. Hyundai suggested the unit would be around 30-percent more fuel-efficient than the 2.5-liter and noted that it would utilize a six-speed transmission and obligatory all-wheel drive.

Hyundai’s plug-in variant uses the same 1.6-liter turbo and transmission but adds a bigger electric motor and 13.8-kWh battery pack. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have all the specs ready for us and said it would need to do more testing before it got back to us.

Everything else relates to features, something the brand routinely seems happy to give without charging extra. Tucson gets automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping with assist, rear-seat occupant alert, and automatic high beams free of charge. Adaptive cruise with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist and safe exit warning can be added to that list if you move up the trim ladder. But the 360-degree camera system, Smart Park, front and rear parking sensors, and lane assistance for the adaptive cruise system is limited to the *ahem* Limited trim.

The car seems to come fairly well equipped in all formats but those wanting to order à la carte will be pleased to know Hyundai is offering a panoramic sunroof, proximity entry with push-button start, a hands-free power hatch, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded Bose sound system, rain-sensing wipers, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless device charging — though some of that is locked into (or out of) specific trims.

There will also be an N Line Tucson for those wanting performance-model looks without the mechanics to back it up. Hyundai made it clear that the car will have most of the fancier options and several design features unique to N products while utilizing the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Thankfully, we’ve heard rumors that a legitimate performance variant is supposedly in development — though it’s likely years away from completion.

Hyundai says the standard Tucson will be built in South Korea and Alabama, with the hybrid and N Line versions coming exclusively from Asia. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, which should be the spring of 2021 for hybrid and gasoline models. PHEV Tucsons will follow in the summertime but we’re willing to bet it will have proven itself as a valid competitor by then.

The crossover boasts economy and power that should equal (if not gently surpass) offerings from Japanese rivals, though the base 2.5-liter does appear to be down on torque vs everything but Nissan’s Rogue. Cargo volume is a similar story, with the entire segment being extremely close. If the Tucson turns out to be even remotely fun to drive (the whole segment is kind of dull from behind the wheel) and is priced appropriately, it’ll clean up on the market.

[Image: Hyundai]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

More by Matt Posky

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 25 comments
  • MKizzy MKizzy on Nov 10, 2020

    The overall Tuscon exterior is growing on me even if the side view still looks like crumpled foil. We may soon find how much compact CUV buyers prefer vanilla over rocky road. Offering this with a competitive NA engine + traditional automatic tranny is a big plus. The minimalist interior is more concerning with its lack of buttons and an exposed gauge cluster. It's hard to imagine those gauges not washing out in bright light.

  • Texasjack Texasjack on Nov 10, 2020

    Oh, look. A korean RAV4/Lexus NX.

  • ToolGuy Honda was robbed.
  • ToolGuy "Honey, someone is trying to cross the moat again"
  • Rochester "better than Vinfast" is a pretty low bar.
  • TheMrFreeze That new Ferrari looks nice but other than that, nothing.And VW having to put an air-cooled Beetle in its display to try and make the ID.Buzz look cool makes this classic VW owner sad 😢
  • Wolfwagen Is it me or have auto shows just turned to meh? To me, there isn't much excitement anymore. it's like we have hit a second malaise era. Every new vehicle is some cookie-cutter CUV. No cutting-edge designs. No talk of any great powertrains, or technological achievements. It's sort of expected with the push to EVs but there is no news on that front either. No new battery tech, no new charging tech. Nothing.
Next