Next-Gen Hyundai Tucson to Get “Freaky” Design

Hyundai Motor Co.’s next-generation Tucson crossover vehicle will feature radical styling that goes well beyond that of the 2020 Sonata sedan and upcoming Venue crossover.

SangYup Lee, who heads Hyundai’s design center, says the all-new Tucson will incorporate polarizing design cues that will cause the world to “freak out.” He tells Motor Authority that the redesigned Sonata is the first step in Hyundai’s strategy to better differentiate individual models with their own personality rather than adopting a comprehensive corporate look as it has done in the past.

As an example, Lee points to the mixed reviews that the Venue (pictured) received when it was unveiled earlier this month at the New York auto show. He notes that people either love or hate the vehicle’s grille, which is a significant departure from previous Hyundai designs.

The production version of Hyundai Santa Cruz concept pickup truck also is being reworked to better differentiate it from the rest of the carmaker’s lineup. Due early next decade, the vehicle will share a platform with the new Tucson.