The Hyundai Tucson has just entered its fifth generation, and it does so as one of the most successful SUVs in the world. Since 2004, Hyundai has sold more than 11 million Tucsons, making it only the third Hyundai nameplate to pass 10 million units after the Elantra and the Accent, and the first Korean SUV ever to do it (Tucson passes 11 million sales). From the first JM to the new NX5, here is the complete history of every Tucson generation.
Hyundai Tucson Generations At A Glance
1st generation (JM): 2004, about 1.62 million units sold.
2nd generation (LM, ix35 in Europe): 2009, about 2.50 million units.
3rd generation (TL): 2015, about 3.13 million units.
4th generation (NX4): 2020, about 3.37 million units through August 2026.
5th generation (NX5): August 2026, now on sale in Korea (to be on sale worldwide in 2027).
Sales figures are Hyundai's global numbers, excluding the China-only ix35. Each generation stayed on sale in some markets for a few years after its successor arrived.
1st Generation Tucson (JM, 2004)
The original Tucson arrived in 2004 as a compact SUV below the Santa Fe. It shared its platform and engines with the second-generation Kia Sportage and was offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, a 2.7-liter V6 and, in markets like Europe, a 2.0 CRDi diesel. It was the start of a success story: the Tucson reached 1 million cumulative sales as early as 2008. Over its long life, it sold about 1.62 million units, an average of 124,000 per year, and entered the US market from day one.
2nd Generation Tucson (LM / Ix35, 2009)
The second generation debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. In Europe it was renamed ix35, while Korea called it Tucson ix. Its Fluidic Sculpture design was a big step forward for Hyundai, and it became a hit across Europe. It was also the generation that turned the Tucson into a global car built in local factories: local production rose from 4% of overseas sales in 2005 to 44% in 2010.
The 2013 facelift, first shown at the Geneva Motor Show, added LED daytime running lights, new bumpers and LED taillights. In Korea, it was offered with a 2.0 GDi petrol engine of 167 hp and a 2.0 CRDi diesel of 184 hp (refreshed Tucson ix in Korea). This generation sold about 2.50 million units, 1.5 times more than the original.
3rd Generation Tucson (TL, 2015)
For the third generation, Hyundai dropped the ix35 name in Europe and went back to Tucson. We were at the launch event in Berlin when it was revealed in 2015, ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show (2016 Tucson revealed). It brought a bolder, more premium design with a large hexagonal grille, designed under Peter Schreyer.
In Europe, the range included a new 1.6 T-GDi turbo petrol with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, plus 1.7 and 2.0 CRDi diesels (first drive in Europe, 1.6 T-GDi review). We also drove the US version in Minneapolis, where the base engine was a 2.0 GDI with 164 hp (first drive in the US).
In 2018, the Tucson got a facelift with Hyundai's new cascading grille and a redesigned center stack, revealed at the New York Auto Show (2019 Tucson facelift). A year later came the Tucson N Line, Hyundai's first SUV with N Line styling (Tucson N Line revealed). The TL sold about 3.13 million units and set the Tucson's all-time annual record in 2016, with 735,173 units.
4th Generation Tucson (NX4, 2020)
Revealed in September 2020 (all-new Tucson revealed), the fourth generation shocked the industry with its Sensuous Sportiness design. Its signature feature was the hidden daytime running lights in the grille, which light up as jewel-like triangles. Inside, it moved to a minimalist cabin with a fully digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen.
It was also the first electrified Tucson. The range added 48-volt mild hybrids, a full hybrid and a plug-in hybrid (European Tucson details). In the US, it launched as a 2022 model with a longer wheelbase, a 187 hp 2.5-liter engine, and hybrid and plug-in versions, built in Alabama and Ulsan (US-spec 2022 Tucson). An N Line version followed (Tucson N Line).
The 2023 facelift brought a redesigned interior with a curved panoramic display and a tougher look (enhanced Tucson and Tucson N Line), and in the US the 2025 Tucson started at $29,750 including destination (2025 Tucson pricing). In 2024, Hyundai also celebrated 20 years of the Tucson in Europe with a 20th Anniversary Edition (20th Anniversary Edition).
The NX4 is the best-selling Tucson ever: about 3.37 million units through August 2026, with a peak of 698,786 units in 2023. It was Hyundai's best-selling model worldwide every year from 2021 to 2025.
5th Generation Tucson (NX5, 2026)
The all-new Tucson was unveiled in August 2026, about six years after the NX4 (global debut). We followed its development for more than a year, from the first spy shots (first spy shots) to its world premiere in New York on October 1 (world premiere).
Design: Hyundai's new Art of Steel language, with vertical H-shaped daytime running lights, slim horizontal light bars front and rear, sharp creases and pronounced fender flares.
Size: the Korean and US version grows to 4,700 mm long (+60 mm), 1,905 mm wide (+40 mm) and a 2,785 mm wheelbase (+30 mm). Europe gets a shorter 4,560 mm version built in the Czech Republic (European Tucson).
Interior: a 17-inch screen running the new Pleos Connect system, based on Android Automotive.
Hybrid: the new TMED-II hybrid system delivers 245 hp (Tucson Hybrid revealed), and the plug-in hybrid offers 81 km of electric range (hybrid and PHEV details).
N Line: revealed at the 2026 Paris Motor Show (Tucson N Line in Paris).
The early response has been huge: the new Tucson received a record 15,045 pre-orders in Korea on its first day (record pre-orders).
As car industry analyst Felipe Muñoz, who saw it in person at the Paris Motor Show, put it in our joint Instagram post, the new Tucson is an example of how to respond to the Chinese competition: good-looking, high quality and high-tech.
Which Tucson Generation Is Your Favorite?
From a compact SUV built on Elantra mechanicals to a global best-seller with hybrid and plug-in hybrid power, the Tucson has grown with Hyundai itself. Let us know in the comments which generation you think is the most unique.
FAQ
How many generations of the Hyundai Tucson are there? Five: JM (2004), LM/ix35 (2009), TL (2015), NX4 (2020) and NX5 (2026).
Which Tucson generation sold the most? The fourth generation (NX4), with about 3.37 million units through August 2026.
How many Hyundai Tucsons have been sold? More than 11.17 million worldwide, including the China-only ix35.
Why was the Tucson called ix35? The second generation was sold as the ix35 in Europe and other markets. Hyundai went back to the Tucson name in Europe with the third generation in 2015, while China kept a dedicated ix35 model.
Photos: Hyundai.
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