2027 Hyundai Tucson First Look: Bigger, Boxier, Roomier

• What's new: Hyundai has revealed the fifth-generation Tucson in South Korea with a tougher exterior design, a larger footprint and a roomier, more practical cabin.
• Why it matters: The Tucson was already one of the more spacious compact SUVs, and the added rear seat room and wider-opening rear doors should make it even easier to live with.
• Edmunds says: The current Tucson stands out for comfort and practicality, but its base gas engine is sluggish. More power would make the redesigned model a more complete package.

Spy photos from earlier this month hinted at a radical styling overhaul, and the finished product confirms that. Vertical daytime running lights flank a slim horizontal light across the front, while pronounced fenders and cleaner body sides give the Tucson a more upright stance. At the rear, three-dimensional taillights and a substantial lower bumper continue the theme.

An XRT version adds a chunkier grille, black wheel-arch trim, unique wheels and more aggressive-looking skid plates. Hyundai hasn't announced additional off-road hardware, so think of the XRT as a styling package until the company says otherwise.

The cabin gets simpler and more useful

Inside, the dashboard adopts a wide horizontal layout with a large center display, slim driver screen and a new flat-topped-and-bottomed steering wheel. Small everyday touches include two wireless phone chargers, a card holder beside the driver, additional storage around the center console, and new cargo-area accessories.

The outgoing Tucson is already one of the roomier, more comfortable small SUVs Edmunds has tested. We like it for its smooth ride, comfortable seats and generous passenger space, while the Tucson Hybrid earned an 8.8 out of 10 rating in Edmunds' testing. The brand appears to be leaning into those strengths while giving the new model a tougher look that’s closer in spirit to its latest Santa Fe and Palisade SUVs, both inside and out.

Powertrains are still the big unanswered question. The current U.S. Tucson offers a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while the hybrid makes 231 hp and the plug-in hybrid produces 268 hp. The regular gas model needed 10.2 seconds to reach 60 mph in our testing, so stronger base-engine performance would be a welcome upgrade.

Hyundai hasn't confirmed what the U.S. will get or how much the new Tucson will cost. Gas and hybrid versions are expected to remain part of the mix, and more details should arrive soon.