2026 vs 2027 Hyundai Tucson: Buy Now or Wait for the All-New Model?
Published November 3, 2026 · Last updated November 3, 2026
Should you buy a 2026 Hyundai Tucson now or wait for the all-new 2027? The 2027, unveiled in New York on October 1, 2026 and due in US showrooms in 2027, is 2.3 inches longer and 1.6 inches wider than the 2026, swaps the 2.5-liter engine for a 184-hp 1.6-liter turbo, and gets a 233-hp hybrid that Hyundai targets at 38 to 40 mpg with AWD and up to 42 mpg in a new front-drive version. Inside there is a 12.9- or 17-inch Pleos Connect screen with Gleo AI. Hyundai has not announced a US Plug-in Hybrid or US pricing. Here is how the two compare side by side, and which one New York drivers should buy.
Should You Buy a 2026 Tucson or Wait for the 2027?
- Buy a 2026 if you need a car now, want a Plug-in Hybrid or want to use today's offers on the outgoing model: it starts at $29,700 and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
- Wait for the 2027 if you want a front-drive Tucson Hybrid (up to 42 mpg targeted; every 2026 Hybrid is AWD at 36 to 38), the bigger cabin and cargo area, the new Pleos Connect screens or the off-road XRT Pro.
- Our take: for most New York families who need an SUV this winter, a 2026 Tucson Hybrid is the safe buy; if you can keep your current car until the 2027 reaches showrooms, wait.
Sources and status: 2027 figures come from Hyundai's October 1, 2026 world-premiere release; fuel economy, 0–60 times and the hybrid's 3,000-pound towing are Hyundai's North American targets, not EPA ratings. 2026 prices are Hyundai MSRPs before the $1,650 destination charge. In each photo pair, the 2026 Tucson is on the left and the all-new 2027 on the right; 2027 photos are Hyundai's. For the 2027's release timeline and full design walk-through, see our 2027 Tucson release date and design guide.
2026 vs 2027 Tucson at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Tucson | 2027 Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | Fourth (2022–2026, refreshed for 2025) | Fifth, all-new |
| Gas engine | 2.5L four, 187 hp, 8-speed automatic | 1.6L turbo, 184 hp, 8-speed automatic |
| Hybrid | 231 hp, AWD only, 36–38 mpg | 233 hp; AWD 38–40 mpg, new FWD up to 42 mpg (targets) |
| Plug-in Hybrid | 268 hp, about 32 miles on electricity | Not announced for the US |
| Gas mpg (combined) | 28 FWD / 26 AWD | 28 FWD / 26 AWD (target) |
| 0–60 mph | 10.2 s (gas, Edmunds) | 8.5 s hybrid (target); gas not announced for the US |
| Hybrid towing | 2,000 lb | 3,000 lb |
| Length / width | 182.7 / 73.4 in | 185.0 / 75.0 in |
| Height change | – | +0.8 in (Hyundai; US height not yet published) |
| Wheelbase | 108.5 in | 109.6 in |
| Cargo, seats up | 38.7 cu ft | 41.7 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 41.3 in | 41.9 in |
| Main screen | 12.3-in touchscreen | 12.9- or 17-in Pleos Connect touchscreen plus 9.9-in driver display |
| Off-road trims | XRT (styling and Terrain Mode) | XRT and XRT Pro (8.3-in clearance, all-terrain tires, Smart Terrain Assist) |
| Starting MSRP | $29,700 | Not announced |
| On sale | Now | 2027 in North America |
Want a 2026 Tucson Now, or First Word on the 2027?
Tell us whether you want to buy now or be notified when the 2027 Tucson arrives, plus the trim and powertrain you have in mind, and a Plaza Hyundai product specialist will send current availability and Plaza pricing on the 2026, or add you to our 2027 list. No deposit, no obligation, no middlemen.
Is the 2027 Tucson a Redesign?
Yes. The 2027 is a clean-sheet fifth generation, the first since the 2022 model, with boxier styling like the Santa Fe and Palisade. For buyers, the practical changes are rear doors that open to 83 degrees instead of 73, which makes car seats easier to fit, and a column-mounted shifter that frees up console space. Our 2027 Tucson release date and design guide covers the styling and launch timeline in detail.
Does the 2027 Tucson Have a New Engine?
The 2026 gas Tucson uses a 187-hp 2.5-liter four. The 2027 replaces it with a 184-hp 1.6-liter turbo and an eight-speed automatic, which Hyundai targets at the same 28 mpg with FWD and 26 with AWD. Hyundai has not given a US 0–60 time for the gas 2027; its global range is 9.5 to 12.4 seconds, depending on market and engine, against 10.2 seconds for the 2026 (Edmunds).
Is the 2027 Tucson Hybrid More Efficient?
The 2027 Tucson Hybrid gets Hyundai's next-generation system with 233 hp, against 231 for the 2026, Every 2026 US Tucson Hybrid has standard AWD and is EPA-rated 36 mpg combined, or 38 for the Blue SE. Compared like for like, Hyundai targets 38 to 40 mpg for the 2027 Hybrid with AWD, a gain of 0 to 4 mpg. The bigger change is a new front-drive 2027 Hybrid targeted at up to 42 mpg on 17-inch wheels, a version the 2026 does not offer. It also tows 3,000 pounds, 1,000 more than today, reaches 60 mph in a targeted 8.5 seconds, and adds HEV Stay Mode, which runs the climate control and audio with the engine off. Hyundai's release lists a Tucson Plug-in Hybrid only for select markets and gives no US figures, so the 2026 Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (268 hp, about 32 miles on electricity) is the plug-in to buy for now.
Is the 2027 Tucson Bigger?
Yes. At 185.0 inches, the 2027 is 2.3 inches longer than the 182.7-inch 2026, 1.6 inches wider and, per Hyundai, 0.8 inch taller, and it rides on a 109.6-inch wheelbase, 1.1 inches longer. Cargo space grows from 38.7 to 41.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat, and rear legroom from 41.3 to 41.9 inches. The new XRT Pro rides 1.2 inches higher than the standard 2027 (8.3 inches of ground clearance) and adds all-terrain tires and front recovery hooks.
What Tech Is New on the 2027 Tucson?
The 2027 moves to Pleos Connect, Hyundai's Android Automotive-based system, on a 12.9- or 17-inch touchscreen with a 9.9-inch display ahead of the driver, over-the-air updates and built-in apps. Gleo AI, an in-car assistant, understands everyday requests such as finding a trailhead with parking nearby. Hyundai kept physical buttons for climate and audio, offers dual 15-watt wireless charging pads, and adds Smart Terrain Assist on the XRT Pro, a driver-attention monitor and Child Presence Detection. Hyundai is targeting an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating; the 2026 Tucson already has one.
2026 vs 2027 Tucson MPG: Which Costs Less to Fuel?
Gas mileage is unchanged at 28 mpg combined with FWD. For AWD hybrids, the most a 2027 would save at Hyundai's 40-mpg target is about 16 gallons a year against a 38-mpg 2026 Blue SE, or 33 gallons against a 36-mpg 2026 Hybrid. The new front-drive 2027 Hybrid, at its 42-mpg target, would use 286 gallons a year, but the 2026 has no front-drive hybrid to compare it with.
| Version | Gallons a year | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 or 2027 gas FWD (28 mpg) | 429 | $1,886 |
| 2026 Hybrid AWD (36 mpg) | 333 | $1,467 |
| 2026 Hybrid Blue SE AWD (38 mpg) | 316 | $1,389 |
| 2027 Hybrid AWD (40 mpg, top of 38–40 target) | 300 | $1,320 |
| 2027 Hybrid FWD, 17-in wheels (42 mpg target; no 2026 equivalent) | 286 | $1,257 |
What Does a 2026 Tucson Cost Today?
Hyundai has not announced 2027 Tucson pricing. The 2026 Tucson starts at $29,700 for the SE, the Tucson Hybrid at $31,300 and the Plug-in Hybrid at $40,675 (MSRP before $1,650 destination); see every grade in Hyundai Tucson Trims Compared. Check current Hyundai incentives and lease specials, and value your trade-in before you decide.
Buy a 2026 Tucson Now or Wait for a 2027?
Buy a 2026 if you need an SUV before spring, want a Plug-in Hybrid, or want the outgoing model's offers; it is a proven IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with 38.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Wait for the 2027 if you can hold on until it reaches showrooms and you want the new front-drive hybrid, the bigger cabin or the new screens, knowing first deliveries are usually limited and pricing is still unknown.
Still deciding? See where the Tucson fits in Hyundai's lineup in Hyundai Kona vs Tucson and Hyundai Tucson vs Santa Fe.
Shop More Brands at Plaza Auto Mall
Plaza Hyundai is part of Plaza Auto Mall, a family-owned group on Nostrand Avenue since 1975. Every showroom is a short walk from the next, so you can compare the Tucson with a CR-V, RAV4 or Sportage the same afternoon.
2026 vs 2027 Hyundai Tucson: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 2026 and 2027 Hyundai Tucson?
The 2027 Tucson is an all-new generation. It is 2.3 inches longer and 1.6 inches wider, has 41.7 cubic feet of cargo space against 38.7, replaces the 2.5-liter engine with a 184-hp 1.6-liter turbo, and gets a 233-hp hybrid targeting 38 to 40 mpg with AWD, against 36 to 38 for the AWD-only 2026 Hybrid, plus a new front-drive version targeting up to 42 mpg. It also adds a 12.9- or 17-inch Pleos Connect touchscreen with Gleo AI and an off-road XRT Pro.
Should I buy a 2026 Tucson or wait for the 2027?
Buy a 2026 if you need an SUV soon, want a Plug-in Hybrid or want current offers on the outgoing model; it starts at $29,700 and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. Wait for the 2027 if you can hold your current car until it arrives in 2027 and want the bigger cabin, the new screens, the off-road XRT Pro or a front-drive hybrid. Hyundai has not announced 2027 pricing.
Is there a 2027 Tucson Plug-in Hybrid?
Not announced for the US. Hyundai's release lists the new Tucson Plug-in Hybrid for select markets only and gives no US figures. The 2026 Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, with 268 hp and about 32 miles of electric range, remains on sale.
Is the 2027 Tucson Hybrid more efficient than the 2026?
Slightly, with AWD. Every 2026 Tucson Hybrid is AWD and EPA-rated 36 mpg combined, or 38 for the Blue SE; Hyundai targets 38 to 40 mpg for the 2027 Hybrid with AWD. The 2027 also adds a front-drive hybrid targeted at up to 42 mpg. The 2027 figures are Hyundai targets, not EPA ratings.
Free home delivery within a 25-mile radius. Plaza Hyundai delivers your new or pre-owned Hyundai to your door, free within a 25-mile radius of our Nostrand Avenue showroom. Our service department also offers pickup and drop-off across New York City.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryDrive a 2026 Tucson at Plaza Hyundai
Visit Plaza Hyundai (2726 Nostrand Ave) to drive a 2026 Tucson or Tucson Hybrid today, and ask to be notified when the 2027 arrives. Family-owned Plaza Auto Mall has served New York since 1975, with free delivery within a 25-mile radius. No Hassle, No Pressure, No Middlemen. Call (800) 556-2369, or browse the inventory below.
*MSRP excludes the $1,650 destination charge, taxes, title and registration fees. 2026 specifications and pricing from Hyundai Motor America; 2027 specifications, fuel economy, acceleration and towing are Hyundai Motor Company targets from its October 1, 2026 release and may change before US launch. 2026 fuel economy from EPA estimates at fueleconomy.gov; actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.
Hyundai Tucson Inventory at Plaza Hyundai
Below is every new 2026 Tucson and Tucson Hybrid at Plaza Hyundai, with Plaza pricing, trim and drivetrain on each listing. Want to be first in line for a 2027? Tap Confirm availability on any listing or call (800) 556-2369, and we will add you to our list. Free delivery within a 25-mile radius.
