Hyundai Motor Company has locked in the domestic sales kickoff for its most crucial compact SUV. According to an official teaser released on Hyundai Korea's domestic portal, contract opening for the all-new, fifth-generation Hyundai Tucson (codenamed NX5) will officially begin on Wednesday, October 21. Arriving six years after the debut of the fourth-generation (NX4) model, the all-new Tucson represents a complete ground-up overhaul. With order books opening next week in South Korea, Hyundai will release the finalized domestic trim structure and official price list simultaneously, kicking off customer reservations ahead of initial deliveries.
‘Art of Steel’ Exterior and Expanded Dimensions
The fifth-generation Tucson ditches the outgoing model's sweeping curves in favor of a chiseled, architectural stance rooted in Hyundai's 'Art of Steel' design language. As highlighted in the official October 21 contract opening banner, the front fascia is anchored by H-Edge lighting, which pairs a continuous horizontal light bar with sharp vertical daytime running lamp extensions to emphasize the SUV's width. Squared-off wheel arches, flush door handles, and sculptural Prism Rear Lamps complete the rugged exterior transformation.
For the South Korean and North American markets (which utilize the long-wheelbase body), the NX5 Tucson grows noticeably in every key dimension compared to the outgoing NX4 generation:
Overall Length: 4,700 mm (+60 mm compared to the outgoing model)
Overall Width: 1,905 mm (+40 mm compared to the outgoing model)
Overall Height: 1,685 mm (+20 mm compared to the outgoing model)
Wheelbase: 2,785 mm (+30 mm compared to the outgoing model)
Drag Coefficient (CdCd): 0.30 (improved from 0.33)
Rear Door Opening Angle: 83 degrees (+10 degrees, up from 73 degrees)
Despite its boxier silhouette, active grille shutters, aerodynamic wheel designs, and a reworked rear underbody spoiler drop the drag coefficient to 0.30. Inside, the stretched footprint translates directly into passenger comfort, adding 29 mm of second-row headroom (1,031 mm total) and 14 mm of rear knee room, while rear doors now swing open to an 83-degree angle for easier child-seat loading and cabin entry.
First Hyundai SUV With Pleos Connect and Gleo AI
Stepping inside the cabin reveals a departure from Hyundai's previous dual-screen panoramic layout. The all-new Tucson is the first Hyundai SUV to feature Pleos Connect, the automaker's next-generation Android Automotive-based operating system.
16:9 Central Infotainment Display: Buyers can opt for a 12.9-inch or massive 17-inch central touchscreenpaired with a slim, standalone digital driver instrument cluster recessed into the upper dashboard.
Gleo AI Voice Assistant: Powered by a large language model (LLM), Gleo AI processes natural, conversational speech to manage navigation, multi-step vehicle settings, and personal schedules.
Tactile Controls Retained: Answering customer feedback, Hyundai preserved a dedicated bank of physical switches beneath the central display for climate and audio controls, alongside tactile rollers on the squared steering wheel.
High-Power Connectivity: The cabin integrates a native app market for video streaming and gaming, backed by 100W USB-C ports capable of fast-charging laptops on the go.
Powertrain Lineup: 8-Speed Auto and 245 HP Next-Gen Hybrid
When South Korean order books open on October 21, buyers will choose between two upgraded 1.6-liter turbocharged powertrains—marking the complete discontinuation of the diesel option in the domestic lineup:
1.6L Turbo Gasoline: Output climbs by 13 hp to 193 hp. Crucially, Hyundai has replaced the outgoing 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with a smoother 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, prioritizing urban drivability and refinement. Combined Korean fuel economy is rated at 12.2 km/L.
1.6L Turbo Hybrid (HEV): Equipped with Hyundai's next-generation hybrid system, combined output rises by 10 hp to 245 hp while delivering 17.4 km/L on the Korean combined cycle (up from 16.2 km/L). The hybrid also introduces Stay Mode, drawing from the high-voltage battery to run the air conditioning and infotainment system quietly while parked without firing up the combustion engine.
Class-First Safety and Practical Innovations
To justify its move upmarket, Hyundai has standardized several safety technologies across every trim level of the all-new Tucson in Korea:
Pedal Misapplication Safety Assist (PMSA): Standard on all trims, this system detects unintended sudden acceleration if the driver mistakenly presses the accelerator instead of the brake while stopped or creeping, cutting propulsion and braking automatically.
Dual-Power Door Unlock Backup: A brand-first safety redundancy that ensures doors remain electronically unlockable after a severe collision even if the main 12V battery connection is severed.
Memory Reverse Assist & Ground View: The vehicle records the exact path taken into a tight parking spot or narrow alley and can autonomously reverse back out along the same trajectory, while a 360-degree Ground View monitor projects the terrain directly underneath the front bumper.
What to Expect on October 21
With the outgoing 2026 Tucson starting at 28.44 million KRW (approx. $20,760 USD) for the gasoline model and 33.18 million KRW (approx. $24,220 USD) for the hybrid in South Korea, industry analysts anticipate a noticeable price increase when the full trim sheet goes live on Wednesday, October 21. Factoring in the standard 8-speed automatic transmission, expanded dimensions, 9-airbag system, and Pleos Connect architecture, the base gasoline model is projected to start in the low 30-million KRW range (approx. $21,900 to $22,600 USD), with entry-level hybrids expected around 37 million to 38 million KRW (approx. $27,000 to $27,750 USD) before eco-friendly vehicle tax incentives.
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