Hyundai develops high-performance Tucson N hybrid SUV

Hyundai is reportedly developing a high-performance 'N' version of its popular Tucson SUV. According to Joon Park, Vice President of Hyundai’s N Management Group, the brand is not limiting itself to electric vehicles and intends to produce lighter, more agile internal combustion and hybrid models. The upcoming Tucson N is expected to feature a hybrid powertrain that could potentially deliver up to 350 HP, aiming to compete with high-performance rivals like the Toyota RAV4 GR Sport.

In the broader compact SUV segment, the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage remain closely linked as they share the N3 platform, identical wheelbases, and various powertrain options, including 1.6 T-GDI mild hybrids, full hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. While they share technical foundations, they differ in design and utility: the Tucson offers a larger boot capacity of up to 620 liters and a more family-oriented interior, whereas the Sportage features a more aggressive design and a longer warranty of 7 years or 150,000 km. Hyundai provides a 5-year warranty with unlimited mileage, which may appeal more to high-mileage fleet users.