25.07.2024 Story

Tucson celebrates two decades of innovation: the incredible journey to success

The Hyundai Tucson marks its 20th anniversary this year, celebrating two decades of success. Since its debut in 2004, Tucson has become one of the most popular SUVs, with millions sold globally. This milestone is a testament to Hyundai’s dedication and innovation in automotive design and engineering.

When the first-generation Tucson launched, it quickly earned a reputation for style, comfort, and reliability. Its rugged and off-road-inspired design was a refreshing departure from the boxy SUVs of the past, and its spacious interior and advanced features made it a hit with adventurers and families alike. Tucson’s innovative design and technology helped it to stand out in a crowded marketplace, quickly becoming one of Hyundai’s best-selling models.

Over the years, Tucson has continued to evolve and improve – with each new generation incorporating the latest technology and design trends. The current, fourth-generation Tucson, launched in 2020, features a progressive and futuristic design with sharp lines and dynamic angles, along with a wide range of advanced features. It offers a range of powertrains, including petrol and diesel with and without mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options, as well as a variety of advanced safety and driver assistance technologies.

Hyundai’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has helped Tucson to thrive. Two decades since its inception, Tucson boasts a rich history of performance, reliability, and customer satisfaction, becoming a staple of the SUV market.

A frontrunner in the SUV market

For 20 years, Tucson has captivated drivers across the continent. Since its launch in 2004, more than two million units have been sold in the European market alone. Now in its fourth generation, Tucson continues to prove itself popular with European customers.

Made in Europe, for Europe: Tucson has undergone many enhancements over the years, allowing customers across the continent to choose an SUV that meets their needs while prioritising safety. In a time of limitless choice, Tucson remains steadfast and continues to tick all the boxes for a fun and versatile ride.

Birth of Tucson

How did the popular Tucson come about? Inspired by the vibrant city of Tucson, Arizona, the first-generation Tucson debuted in 2004 as a compact SUV designed to appeal to adventure seekers. Its wealth of safety features, rugged looks, and off-road capabilities provided families with a practical yet stylish and affordable option. Hyundai’s focus on refining the design ensured comfort with a user-friendly dashboard and easy-to-read gauges, establishing Tucson’s presence worldwide.

Evolution over time

In 2009, Tucson underwent a significant transformation for its second generation, shedding its rugged aesthetic in favour of a sharper, bolder look in line with contemporary design trends. Renamed the Hyundai ix35 in many markets outside of South Korea and North America, the second generation marked a leap forward in both style and functionality, featuring improved performance, fuel efficiency, and safety features.

More than half a decade later in 2015, Hyundai incorporated key upgrades and design updates in the third-generation Tucson. Along with an expanded range of technological features, including advanced infotainment systems and driver assistance features, this iteration featured larger dimensions and optional 19-inch alloy wheels, catering to the evolving needs and desires of SUV enthusiasts. Customers looking for a more dynamic look were in luck this iteration was the first to offer a sporty-looking N Line version. As Hyundai prioritised improvements in overall quality and safety, Tucson experienced a significant increase in customer satisfaction, solidifying its position as the obvious choice for European drivers looking to purchase an SUV.

Tucson in 2024: embarking on a new journey

Today, the new Tucson embodies two decades of history, becoming a formidable model that has travelled the roads of the world. Since the fourth generation’s launch in 2020, the model has earned the love and loyalty of customers over the years with a range of features that will continue to appeal to everyone today and tomorrow. Its striking and progressive exterior design turns heads on the road, while its spacious interior and ample cargo space ensure comfort and practicality. Crafted with the latest, high-quality materials, the interior exudes quality and refinement, complimented by a generous level of equipment that enhances the driving experience. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology further enhances safety and convenience, providing peace of mind on every journey.

Tucson’s impact on the market

Tucson has achieved numerous milestones, both in terms of accolades and production records. With its innovative design and safety elements that deliver value beyond its segment, the fourth-generation Tucson raises the bar for SUVs. Thanks to its best-in-class, family-oriented safety package, the independent vehicle assessment organisation European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) awarded the model with a maximum five-star safety rating in 2021.

In 2023, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) produced 244,495 Tucson units, which were exported to 70 countries worldwide. That same year, 158,056 units of the compact SUV were registered in Europe. This figure marked a notable increase in sales from the previous year, in which Tucson was dubbed the best-selling car in Europe’s compact SUV segment.

By January 2024, production of the fourth-generation Tucson had surpassed 727,344 units, making a significant contribution to Hyundai’s global footprint. Later that year on 17 June, HMMC celebrated their two-millionth Tucson coming off the assembly line in Nošovice.

Elevated choices for all

Hyundai is dedicated to its vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, focusing on creating a healthier and happier world. Catering to various driving preferences, the fourth-generation Tucson is offered with internal combustion engines, as mild hybrids, as pure hybrids, and as plug-in hybrids. Later this year, a two-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid variant will be introduced, reflecting Hyundai’s commitment to innovative mobility solutions.

The plug-in hybrid Tucson features the second generation of Green Zone Driving Mode, which enhances zero-tailpipe-emissions driving. This geofencing capability allows the car to switch to pure-electric operation when entering designated low-emission zones or areas with emission restrictions.

Additionally, the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models come with Paddle Regenerative Braking Mode in ECO mode. Drivers can adjust the intensity of regenerative braking using paddle shift levers on the steering wheel, providing three levels of deceleration control.

These advanced features not only reduce emissions but also encourage responsible driving habits. Tucson’s 20-year evolution reflects Hyundai’s broader shift toward cleaner, more efficient technologies.

To even more years

Tucson’s 20th anniversary celebrates the power of imagination, innovation, and consistency. It has been 20 years of adventure, two decades of storytelling, and two words that sum it up: forward-thinking. Hyundai’s commitment to advancing automotive technology and sustainability is linked to this model, shaping both its performance on the road and the driver's experience.

As the industry moves toward electrification and zero emissions, Tucson continues to evolve, from the traditional petrol engines of 2004 to the electrified powertrains today. Its transformation over time is inspiring: an automotive success that has influenced society and culture throughout the digital boom of the 2010s. To celebrate two decades of automotive excellence, an exclusive 20th Anniversary Edition of Tucson will be launched in autumn this year.

In the next years, Tucson promises to remain ahead of the curve and at the forefront of SUV competition. As technology develops at full speed, it will influence future iterations of the model, its integration with the surrounding infrastructure and, most importantly, its relationship with the driver. From city streets to tranquil country roads, one thing remains certain: Tucson is here to stay.

Disclaimer: CO2 and emissions data

  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI 48V (160 PS) with 6MT 2WD in l/100 km: 6.9 - 6.4; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 156 - 145 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI 48V (160 PS) with 7DCT 2WD in l/100 km: 6.5 - 6.2; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 148 - 140 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI 48V (160 PS) with 7DCT 4WD in l/100 km: 7.1 - 6.8; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 162 - 153 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 CRDi 48V (136 PS) with 6MT 2WD in l/100 km: 5.6 - 4.9; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 145 - 129 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 CRDi 48V (136 PS) with 7DCT 2WD in l/100 km: 5.6 - 5.1; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 147 - 134 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 CRDi 48V (136 PS) with 7DCT 4WD in l/100 km: 5.9 - 5.5; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 155 - 144 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI (160 PS) with 6MT 2WD in l/100 km: 7.1 - 6.7; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 162 - 152 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 CRDi (115 PS) with 6MT 2WD in l/100 km: 5.7 - 5.3; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 149 - 139 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI Hybrid with 6AT 2WD (215 PS) in l/100 km: 6.0- 5.6; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 137 - 126 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI Hybrid with 6AT 4WD (215 PS) in l/100 km: 6.7 - 6.3; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 151 - 143 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI Plug-in Hybrid with 6AT 4WD (252 PS) in l/100 km: 1.4 - 1.2; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 31 - 27 (WLTP)
  • Fuel consumption combined for the Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDI Plug-in Hybrid with 6AT 2WD (252 PS) in l/100 km: 1.2 - 1.0; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 26 - 22 (WLTP)

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