More Horsepower, New Transmission: What's Changed on the 2027 Hyundai TucsonAutoblogAnton AndresMon, September 21, 2026 at 12:22 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.A Radical ShiftIf there's one thing about Hyundai design, succeeding models look dramatically different from their predecessors, more often than not. Just look at the company's core models: the Elantra, Santa Fe, Palisade, and, of course, the Tucson. Nearly every new generation was a radical departure from its predecessor, as if every redesign cycle is a rebirth of the same model.The Tucson is the most recent Hyundai to get a full model change, and as you'd expect, it looks nothing like the one it'll soon replace. Just like the Elantra that premiered a little ahead of it, the fifth-gen Tucson gets a squared-off, futuristic look inside and out.HyundaiReady for RolloutThe new-generation Tucson made its world premiere a few weeks ago, and Hyundai is banking on momentum from the past couple of debuts to keep it going. The Elantra, known as the Avante in its home market of South Korea, reached showrooms in August. To keep interest and eyes on the brand, the Tucson will open its sales books this October.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut before anyone could put their name down for one, at least in Korea, Hyundai has revealed key details about its global best-seller, and it makes for strong impressions on paper. Do note that this is for the home market model, and the U.S. version may still be subject to changes, but this should give us a better idea of what to expect.HyundaiMore Punch Under the HoodSouth Korea hasn't used the 2.5-liter engine that's been the base engine in the U.S. market for quite some time already. Instead, it's relied on a turbocharged 1.6-liter as its entry-level model there. For the 2027 model, it'll still use that engine, but it now packs more power. Up from 178 hp and 195 lb-ft in the current model, it's now 190 hp, with torque retained. It also swaps a dual-clutch transmission for an eight-speed automatic. It's now more powerful than the 2.5-liter in U.S. models (187 hp, 178 lb-ft), and it could replace it.The hybrid also gets a bit of a power bump. It still keeps the electrified 1.6-liter turbo arrangement, but power is now up to 242 hp and 280 lb-ft. For reference, the current model has 231 hp and 271 lb-ft, meaning the 2027 model presents gains of 11 hp and 9 lb-ft, respectively. Instead of a six-speed automatic, the 2027 Tucson now shifts with a DHT, or Dedicated Hybrid Transmission. Hyundai also claims 41 MPG under combined driving cycles, although those measurements are yet to be EPA-certified.HyundaiMeet the New Tucson XRTFor those who want a more rugged-looking Tucson, there's good news. The XRT returns for this generation, and the company says it now stands out more from the standard models. Its front end is markedly different, as are the bumpers, wheels, and body cladding. This trim also comes with a skid plate. The cabin also gets model-exclusive touches on the seats, dash, and trims to further emphasize its ruggedness.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile not yet confirmed, Hyundai may finally offer this model with a hybrid option, which the current model lacks. It should be a helpful addition, given that the Toyota RAV4 has the Woodland Edition, while the Honda CR-V has the Trailsport. Also, Subaru just premiered the Wilderness Edition with hybrid power, so it would be interesting to see if Hyundai will give us an electrified XRT for the Tucson.As mentioned, order books will be opened next month in South Korea, and it is expected to slowly but surely reach global markets down the line. As for assembly, there's a good chance that it'll actually be built in the U.S. given the economic climate at the moment, but that remains to be seen.HyundaiHyundaiView the 5 images of this gallery on the original articleThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.