Keeping combustion engine and hybrid cars alive: 2026 Hyundai Tucson and i30 Sedan expected to get a new generation despite Hyundai investing in electric cars such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Inster hatch

Hyundai is the latest carmaker to soften its ambitious EV-only targets, with a new generation of Tucson and i30 Sedan reported likely for release come 2026. 

The story comes from Korean publication ETNews, which claims the carmaker confirmed an eighth generation of Avante/Elantra — known as the i30 Sedan locally — and fifth-gen Tucson medium SUV would begin production in early 2026. 

This move suggests Hyundai is rethinking global targets to mostly phase out internal combustion engined (ICE) cars by 2030 — though in Hyundai’s case, it was never a hard commitment. Other, mostly luxury, carmakers such as Mercedes-Benz, have recently revised EV-only goals.

Hyundai introduced mild cosmetic updates of the current i30 Sedan and Tucson in Australia in February and July, respectively. The most recent update should carry the cars in market for another two and a half years at least, and four years at most. 

The first time-frame lines up nicely with a 2026 global release of the new Tucson and i30 Sedan and would see those cars exist easily beyond 2031, potentially into 2033.

Crucially, there sounds to be no plan to introduce a full EV variant of the Tucson or i30.

The powertrains are expected to be revised, or new, versions of the current ICE and hybrid versions. A plug-in hybrid Tucson is expected to stay on in certain markets. 

Additionally, ETNews reports there are likely to be improvements in powertrain performance, onboard technology and safety equipment. There’s also likely to be new interior and exterior design. 

It is not clear whether Hyundai will develop a new platform or develop the existing underpinnings of both vehicles. 

The commitment to another generation of Avante/Elantra/i30 Sedan is significant as the Czech-built i30 hatchback will not see another generation. It also keeps the hopes alive that we may get another generation of combustion-powered i30 Sedan N in the future.

As for the Tucson, it continues to be a very important model for Hyundai Australia taking 8.3 per cent of medium SUV sales share this year, a lot more than its electric Ioniq 5 equivalent though still some way behind the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5 and platform-share Kia Sportage. 

A recent facelift and addition of the new hybrid powertrain should aid the Tucson’s sales position locally. 

Hyundai is continuing to develop its electric cars with the Ioniq 9 seven seater expected to launch imminently and the Inster affordable electric car coming to Australia next year.