Hyundai Tucson N Line 2021: sporty medium SUV will arrive in Australia this year

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Despite rumours that the 2021 Hyundai Tucson N Line could pack a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 223kW, it looks like that will be reserved for an even hotter variant of the medium SUV.

The new Tucson N Line forms part of Hyundai Australia’s product offensive with 18 models to debut in 18 months.

In other markets, the Tucson N Line will be offered with electrified powertrains including a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with mild-hybrid tech and around 170kW of power.

That is to be followed in 2022 by an even gruntier plug-in hybrid which boasts 195kW of power. 

Hyundai Australia’s senior public relations manager Guido Schenken told Chasing Cars earlier this month that “Australia is not considered a priority market for electrified powertrains” for Hyundai due to non-existent emissions regulations.

Instead, we expect the Tucson N Line to miss hybrid power and be powered by a familiar 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine found in the i30 N Line and Kona N Line. Outputs should be around 150kW of power and 265Nm of torque which will be sent to all four wheels.

The outgoing Tucson is sold in Australia with this engine already, but in a lower state of tune making 130kW and 265Nm.

The Tucson N Line will rival the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line, Mitsubishi Outlander GSR and Toyota Rav4 Edge when it arrives.

But engine details are all still to be confirmed. What we do know is that the Tucson N Line is by far the coolest looking midsize SUV to come out of Hyundai.

The athletic N Line builds on the regular Tucson’s already out-there design with a broader lower fascia, angular detailing, body-coloured cladding, aggressive rear diffuser, dual exhaust pipes and intricate 19-inch alloy wheels with ‘N’ centre caps.

Like the new Kona N Line, the Tucson N Line’s interior reflects the sporty exterior with Alcantara-appointed seats with added bolstering and red contrast stitching.

Otherwise, the cabin is the same with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital driver display featuring alongside the quirky four-spoke steering wheel.

There is no physical gearstick, either. Instead, Hyundai has opted for buttons to control gears with paddles mounted behind the steering wheel for manual control.

Hyundai has promised the N Line package is more than just some styling tweaks. The Tucson’s suspension has been refined in Europe, though it will undergo further evaluation in Australia before sale.

As in the regular Tucson adaptive suspension will feature to quell body-roll, they will likely be stiffer spring and damping rates too, but that will be confirmed closer to the car’s Australian launch.,