India-bound 2021 Hyundai Tucson spied with new grille design

- The new and updated Tucson is set to get a new design language.

- Expected to break cover early next year.

Hyundai was recently spotted testing the mid-life update for the Tucson. The prototype was undergoing high altitude testing with a scanty camouflage which failed to hide the new radical design language. This means that the design of the upcoming Tucson will differ from other SUVs in Hyundai’s line-up, namely the Venue, Nexo, Santa Fe, and Palisade.

As can be seen in the spied images, the new Tucson will get a funky new grille unlike anything seen on a Hyundai vehicle before. The Mercedes-Benz EQC-like design of the fascia is decorated with single-piece glass louvres. But there’s still some ambiguity about the headlamp design and the fog lamps below it. Meanwhile adding to the busy fascia is the lower air intake which has a curved upper portion spanning the width of the front fascia.

In profile, there still is a heavy cladding with faux panels on the D-pillar. The silhouette will surely be redesigned while the rear is expected to sport a contemporary design update as well. Also part of the updates are the newly-designed alloy wheels which are akin to the one seen on the Hyundai Venue. What’s more, the wheel arches will be squared-off and we expect roof rails and body cladding to be added on the production model as well.

We suspect new powertrains will be offered with the updated model. Apart from the current 2.4-litre four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic gear, there will be a newer engine and gearbox options on offer as well. A hybrid or a mild-hybrid version isn’t ruled out either.

Hyundai is expected to reveal the new Tucson sometime in 2020. After it goes on sale in the international markets like Europe and America, an ASEAN spec version will shortly follow. And this ASEAN version will make its way to India either late next year or in 2021.