UPDATE: 2026/02/06 19:59 EST This article has been updated with relevant information on the Tucson's biggest rivals, indicating ballpark targets for what the Tucson will be aiming for.Hyundai is still working on getting the next-generation Tucson compact crossover to market. The CarBuzz spies have once again snapped the NX5-chassis model out testing on the road, this time in Germany. Hyundai is still heavy on the camouflage, but it's becoming more and more clear that the next Tucson will have more than a little Santa Fe in its design. Expect A Boxier Tucson This Time Around CarBuzz/Valnet The square roof is the first clue of that Santa Fe look. It has almost the same downward angle as its larger sibling, with a similar line for the tops of the side windows. The gaps in the thick disguise also reveal wheel arches similar to the Santa Fe's. They won't bulge out as prominently, but the hexagonal shape instead of a half-circle is clear.One other detail it will share with the current Santa Fe is the new front door window. The sharp angles of the door frame have Hyundai adding a small fixed corner pane. It's what we would have called a vent window, if it was 1975 and the window was open.Hyundai has almost completely covered the nose, but we can see more details from the Santa Fe there as well. Not the Santa Fe at dealers now, but the upcoming facelift we've spied testing.CarBuzz/Valnet Like that model, it will have a thin vertical LED marker and signal lights. Though they're tilted back on the Tucson, versus upright on the facelift Santa Fe. Also like the upcoming Santa Fe, the Tucson will have low-mounted headlights in their own pod.The headlights aren't much different than the current Tucson, at least in shape and location. It's the rest of the nose around it that's different, with Hyundai going for a more angular and upright look instead of the sleeker current model.Around the back, we can see a thin vertical brake light on each side of the hatch. This newest Tucson also has its horizontal turn signals mounted higher up on the body. They aren't on the bumper this time, but rather alongside the hatch. New Cabin Tech, N Version Possible CarBuzz/Valnet The cabin will be one of the first to get Hyundai's new Pleos system. The Korean automaker previewed that system early last year with a large, low-mounted center screen and no dash display.We're also told that Hyundai won't be adding diesel engines for Europe this time around. Instead, the focus will be on the hybrid, which will use a new hybrid system. For the PHEV, around double the range of the current model is expected, with 60 miles on the WLTP cycle.Lastly, our spies tell us that Hyundai is planning a Tucson N. Hyundai has confirmed that it is growing its high-performance N brand, and that it would offer more than seven models by 2030. They wouldn't be limited to one powertrain, either, with gas, hybrid, and EVs.A 300-horsepower or higher Hyundai Tucson N would definitely add some spice to the small crossover segment. The most powerful current Tucson is the 268 hp Tucson PHEV, and among mainstream small crossovers that's near the top of the segment.Expect the next-generation Tucson to be revealed later this year. It could go on sale by the end of the year, or early next.2027 Hyundai Tucson Spy Photos (4) How The Hyundai Tucson's Rivals Stack Up The RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 present two of the most formidable challenges for the new Tucson, not least of all because both have entered new generations for the 2026 model year. Hyundai will no doubt be benchmarking these rivals, and if it is, here's what it will be aiming to closely match or beat:The price point will be the big fighting ground for these, as the compact SUV segment is hotly contested and many buying decisions are made based on price and value for money.
