Next-gen Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander rival takes shape: 2026 Hyundai Tucson imagined with tough 4WD SUV styling

Hyundai is set to launch its fifth-generation Tucson in the first half of 2026, and a render published by The Korean Carblog has given us the best idea yet of how it may look.

The boxy, retro-inspired design language that first featured on the N Vision 74 concept and, more recently, the new hydrogen-powered Nexo SUV, is envisioned to make its way to the new Tucson with more off-road-centric styling.

That starts with the front end, which adopts pixelated LED headlights and running lights, a squared-off front bumper and a silver bash plate.

Continuing the rugged theme are chunky all-terrain tyres and what appears to be a considerable lift in ride height over its predecessor.

Black plastic trims, including wheel arches, clad the exterior, and there is a two-tone roof.

The Hyundai Tucson landed in Australian showrooms in its fourth generation in early 2021 before receiving a modest update in 2024.

Its fifth-generation instalment is expected to eliminate the option of petrol-only powertrains, instead favouring hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology.

Outputs could subsequently improve from the current generation’s peak 172kW/367Nm on the top-spec hybrid Premium. It is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a single 44kW electric motor set-up.

According to The Korean Carblog, the latter will deliver upwards of 100km of pure electric range thanks to a larger battery pack and improved regenerative braking capabilities.

All-wheel drive will remain an option across the range, while features such as vehicle-to-load (V2L) are also expected to join the line-up.

Hyundai competes against the likes of the eight-year-old Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Mitsubishi Outlander (which is offered as a PHEV) in Australia's mainstream medium SUV segment. Toyota is currently leading the segment by a considerable margin.

So far this year, 4736 Tucsons have been sold to the end of March, a modest 1.1 per cent rise on the same period last year.

Toyota, meanwhile, has sold 13,802 RAV4s over the same period, an increase of 36.3 per cent, while Mitsubishi has sold 7480 Outlanders, a rise of 6.0 per cent.

Both Toyota and Mitsubishi will launch their next-generation SUVs in late 2025 and 2027, respectively.

The fifth-generation Hyundai Tucson NX5 is expected to launch in South Korea next year before landing in Australia for the 2027 model year.