Making its global debut in a week’s time, Hyundai has released footage of the all-new, fourth-generation Tucson undergoing rigorous testing.

The 2021 Tucson is the fourth generation of Hyundai’s best-selling SUV. It’s the first Tucson to be developed under Hyundai’s new design identity, Sensuous Sportiness. The Korean automaker also promises that it’ll be fun-to-drive, thanks to responsive engine and transmission choices, paired with practical characteristics for everyday usage, from four-wheel drive to towing capabilities.

In recent months, it has been developed and tested in Europe performing accelerated durability tests and dynamic testing on the most demanding race track in the world, the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, as well as undergoing rigorous public-road testing throughout Europe from the coldest winter testing conditions in Sweden to trailer testing in the Alps and hot weather testing in the south of Spain.



Throughout the testing process on a dedicated proving ground in Czech Republic, the all-new Tucson had to prove its quality in extreme conditions and was put through its paces in various scenarios. As a true SUV, the four-wheel drive system, torque distribution, clutch controllability and torque build up at low speeds were tried and tested under different conditions.

On challenging roads, for example, Hyundai engineers verified the overall body structure rigidity, opening all doors, tail gate, and panoramic roof with two wheels on the ground and two wheels diagonally in the air. The doors were closed without any problems during this challenge, confirming the vehicle’s body rigidity. On the Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) surfaces, engineers identified abnormal noises the car made in certain situations and reduced them in order to guarantee the best experience for customers.

Engineers also drove the vehicle into water to check that features such as the underbody covers and wheel guards would hold properly after driving in water, even at higher speeds. In addition, they examined whether the model can easily drive in water fords with a depth of 200 to 300 mm. Furthermore, the parking brake, Autohold assistant and Downhill Brake Control had to prove their durability on steep hills with inclines between 30 to 45 percent.


After proving that it is built to last in the Czech Republic, the all-new Tucson had to demonstrate its towing capacity in the Austrian Alps, too. On the Grossglockner mountain, Hyundai’s engineers took it on a difficult route with a trailer, testing the vehicle’s behavior while towing a trailer uphill, downhill and around corners.

The ongoing final testing run allows testing engineers to incorporate their latest findings in the final series production vehicle, ensuring the all-new Tucson will deliver a fun and reliable experience for future customers.