Saar: It comes with tweaked front and rear fascias, depicting Hyundai’s latest car design language

At the ongoing 2018 New York International Auto Show, South Korean carmaker Hyundai unveiled the refreshed Tucson SUV. The facelift model has been cosmetically tweaked to fall in line with the company’s latest design language. The front grille is just as cheezy as before but taken on the hexagonal shape that we’ve come to see in the new Hyundai models. The front bumper’s styling has been tweaked with a chiselled chin. The fog lamps have integrated DRLs and aren’t split into two halves as the current model.

Apart from the design of alloy wheels, the side profile remains unaltered. At the back, the reflectors have been bumped up to either side of the number plate area, which has also seen a stretch in dimensions. That means the rear bumper has a new shape as well. The wraparound tail lamps have also been to styling salon and have LED inserts too. Inside the cabin, there is a new leather seat design, which is complemented by a redone centre console. There’s also a new rearview mirror, cluster and panel vent design to freshen up the ambience further.

In terms of new features, the Tucson comes with a surround-view monitor, a driver attention warning system, smart cruise control and forward collision-avoidance assist. As far as engines are concerned, there is a change in the lineup for the US market. However, in India, that is unlikely to happen. That said, we don’t expect Hyundai to bring the revamped Tucson here until late 2018 or the first half of 2019. The Tucson was launched in November 2016 in India. In late 2017, Hyundai added a 4WD (Four-Wheel-Drive) variant to enhance its appeal.

We aren’t sure what all will make it to India as part of the Tucson’s kit. But as far as styling goes, this is, in all probability, how it will look. Once launched, it will take on the Jeep Compass, Volkswagen Tiguan and the new Honda CR-V. Out of the lot, which one would you prefer?