India-bound Next-gen Hyundai Tucson to be a seven-seat SUV

After the launch of the facelift of the current-gen Tucson earlier this year, Hyundai has already begun working on the new-gen car. Hyundai has said that the new-gen Tucson will be a seven-seat SUV with an all-wheel drive and might replace the Santa Fe in the Indian car market.

Likely to be built on an entirely new platform, the all-new Tucson will be larger especially in the overall length to accommodate the two extra seats. With the added space and size it will get heavier and bulkier and might need more firepower under the hood. While there is no word on the engines as yet, since it is expected by 2020, there might be a hybrid engine somewhere in the global line-up if not for India.

We can expect the new Tucson to be as generous with features as the current car, have a larger touchscreen display, probably a panoramic sunroof and all the bells and whistles associated with luxury seven-seat SUVs. 

Also, Hyundai will build the Tucson in India against the current car which is just being assembled. The greater degree of localisation should allow Hyundai to keep the costs at bay. If Hyundai decides to price the new-gen seven-seat Tucson for almost the same price as the current car, thanks to the savings in taxes, it will be easier for it to break into the Fortuner and Pajero territory with a price advantage. Nonetheless, the seven-seat Tucson means that it might be the end of the road for the Santa Fe in India with it almost being off the market as of today.

Hyundai’s India-journey started with the modest Santro, but the Korean carmaker tasted success in the premium segments in India with the likes of the Elite i20, the Verna and the Creta having dominated their segments. Even the Tucson, a premium D-segment five-seater SUV which starts at over Rs 20 lakhs on-road has been clocking about 200 units a month, especially after the launch of the 4x4 in lower trims.