Hyundai modernizes its Tucson for 2025, but not for North America yet

• For now, these changes only apply to the European and Korean versions of the crossover.

• We are seeing more and more buttons in new car models.

•  In Europe, the Tucson has a shorter wheelbase.

Introduced in 2021 in North America, the Hyundai Tucson is already entitled to an update… in Europe. Indeed, the short-wheelbase version is receiving a bit of attention as the year draws to a close, this revision applying only to the 2025 model year, it should be pointed out.

At this time, it’s too early to confirm whether or not these new physical traits will be applied to the North American version but given the strong link between the two versions of the compact crossover, it’s safe to assume that these 2025 enhancements will eventually be applied to the model sold on this side of the pond.

While the overall silhouette remains the same, particularly on the sides where chiselled edges are still the order of the day, it’s at the front that the 2025 Tucson changes somewhat. The shape of the LED daytime running lights has been slightly modified, as has the grid that encloses the daytime running lights. This is an evolution of the “Parametric Dynamics” design.

The front bumper and skid plate extend to the sides of the vehicle, giving this enlarging impression. The wheels have also been redesigned for the European market. In this respect, North American consumers have nothing to fear from Hyundai, which has accustomed us over the years to these comprehensive updates. At the rear, the skid plate is also integrated into the bumper.

Where the 2025 Tucson stands out even more is on the inside, where the rounded dashboard has been replaced by an arrangement closer to the brand’s more recent vehicles. There’s a sense of déjà-vu inside. In fact, the linearity of the integrated ventilation nozzles is reminiscent of those found in the first row of the Ioniq 5 crossover, as is this badgeless steering wheel and the small gearshift lever to the right of the steering column. As for the pair of screens (one behind the steering wheel and the other, touch-sensitive, in the center), they are inspired by other Hyundai models.

There’s also a return to more traditional buttons under the center strip, with controls for the air conditioning. The center console can even accommodate a wireless charging pad for smart devices and two cupholders.

In the light of these improvements, there’s every reason to believe that Hyundai will be doing the same with the North American variant of its popular compact crossover within the next few months. Under the hood, the menu should remain unchanged, unless the manufacturer is working on a surprise for the local public.

We’ll know soon enough.