5 Minutes
Digital facelift breathes new life into the outgoing Tucson
Hyundai’s compact crossover is on the cusp of a design reset, but before the next-generation Tucson arrives, a digital artist has given the current model one last, virtual update. Digimods Design released CGI renders that rework the outgoing Tucson’s front and rear treatment — a speculative, stylistic exercise rather than an official Hyundai preview.
The renderings trim the grille back into a more subtle element, flatten the front bumper and add sleeker air intakes. Lighting graphics adopt a futurist look, and the rear receives a reworked tailgate, fresh taillights and a relocated license-plate position. The profile remains familiar, but the overall effect is modernized and closer in spirit to Hyundai’s recent family design language.
What this CGI facelift tells us
While the Digimods concept is not a production design, it highlights how the current Tucson’s bones can be evolved without changing its basic silhouette. Key takeaways for enthusiasts and prospective buyers:
- A more restrained grille and cleaner bumper lines can modernize the face.
- Futuristic lighting units and reshaped taillights dramatically change perceived character.
- Small styling tweaks can refresh a model ahead of a full redesign.
"It’s a creative look at what could have been for the outgoing Tucson," said auto design commentator Cristian Gnaticov when discussing the renders. But remember: these images are imaginative, not a glimpse of Hyundai’s production plan.
Interior: familiar layout, future tech incoming
Because the CGI is based on the current-generation Tucson, the interior in the renders shows the existing dual-screen layout, three-spoke steering wheel, double-layer dashboard and simple HVAC controls. That said, Hyundai’s next-generation Tucson is expected to take a different approach: the new model will likely feature the brand’s Pleos infotainment system and upgraded driver assistance with semi-autonomous capabilities to improve daily commuting and highway driving.
What to expect from the 2027 Tucson
Early spy shots and Hyundai’s design direction point to a boxier silhouette inspired by the larger Santa Fe. Notable design cues rumored for the next Tucson include:
- A wide light bar stretching across the front face
- A prominent grille flanked by primary lighting clusters
- A clamshell-style hood and conventional door handles
- Boxy wheel-arch trim and very tall vertical taillights
This more angular architecture hints at increased interior space and a roomier cargo area — a strategic move in the compact SUV class where practicality often seals buyers’ decisions.
Powertrains, performance and the Tucson N rumor
Hyundai hasn’t released official powertrain details for the new Tucson, but expectations are clear: small turbocharged petrol engines, hybrid options and possibly plug-in hybrid variants. On the performance front, whispers of a Tucson N are circulating — a hot variant that could push output to around 300 horsepower. That would position the Tucson N close to competitors like the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport, which offers approximately 320 hp in its performance-oriented form.
If timing holds, the regular new Tucson lineup should debut next year, while a range-topping Tucson N could arrive in 2027 or 2028.
Where the CGI facelift fits in the market
This rendered makeover is an interesting thought experiment that shows how visual updates can keep a model relevant as a new generation nears. For shoppers, it’s a reminder to weigh current deals on the outgoing Tucson against waiting for the boxier, more tech-forward successor. For Hyundai, the transition presents an opportunity to sharpen its compact SUV offering to compete on design, interior space and hybridization.
Highlights:
- CGI facelift is a non-official design study by Digimods Design
- New Tucson expected to adopt boxier Santa Fe-style cues
- Hybrid options likely; Tucson N rumored at ~300 hp
Whether you’re tracking design trends or hunting for a compact SUV with modern tech, the Tucson’s transformation — real or virtual — is worth watching as Hyundai refreshes one of its most important models.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
v8rider
Whoa that CGI actually makes the Tucson look slick! Cleaner grille, futuristic lights, feels almost premium. If Hyundai did this IRL, I'd be tempted...
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