Three years into its latest generation, the Hyundai Tucson is due for a round of updates for 2025 that appear to indicate a return of physical, tactile infotainment controls. That may not sound like cause to rejoice, but as more automakers dabble in touchscreen-only controls — fine at idle, distracting at 70 mph — it's nice to see Hyundai recognize that not every dash needs to be an oversized iPad. There's also a bit of restyling on tap for this small SUV, with new wheels and skidplates integrated into the rear bumper that add visual width to the Tucson's rear haunches.
Edmunds spotlight: Updates for the 2025 Tucson
The current Tucson incorporates touch-sensitive buttons into a separate panel below its standard 8-inch and optional 10.25-inch touchscreens. The buttons are clearly labeled but also flat and featureless, and they offer no feedback or response. It's a better method than burying virtual buttons behind touchscreen glass, but not by much. Photos of the redesigned 2025 European-market Tucson show new, more linear dash styling and a conventional media interface with small dials for volume and, likely, radio tuning and other selections. A row of rocker switches appears to offer shortcuts to navigation, search and track selection functions. The Euro-spec Tucson also adopts the trend of adjoining displays — one for digital gauges, speedometer and instruments, the other for infotainment. Both appear to be dual 12.3-inch displays, likely optional on SEL trims and higher. The question lingers: Will U.S. buyers be offered the same Tucson updates?
Competitors to consider
The Tucson is one of the bolder designs among compact SUVs, with lines, creases and proportions not unlike an Audi Q8 mixed with some Italian flair. Rivals like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue aren't quite as adventurous in design spirit but offer bona fides of their own, including more power and cargo space and slightly better fuel economy than the Tucson. The Kia Sportage, which is related to the Tucson, is another good choice, as is the ruggedly styled Mazda CX-50.