The Hyundai Tucson becomes the third model to receive the N Line treatment, following in the footsteps of the i30 and i30 Fastback that came before it. The launch of the Tucson N Line marks as a coming-of-age for the Korean automaker’s resident compact SUV. A unique appearance package bolsters the more aggressive-looking SUV. Hyundai also added some subtle interior upgrades and improved the SUV’s driving setup, ensuring that the Tucson N Line can live up to the performance billing that comes by having the “N Line” name attached to it. The Hyundai Tucson N Line arrives to European markets later this year. Unfortunately, the U.S. market isn’t getting it.

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson N-Line is Hyundai's First Step into the World of Performance SUV's

2019 Hyundai i30N shown here


The Hyundai Tucson is probably one of the last Hyundai models I’d consider to receive an N Line treatment. That said, there’s a reason why I don’t work at Hyundai. I’m ready to eat crow on this one because the Tucson N Line looks like an absolute treat. Hyundai managed to give the Tucson a sportier identity without adding too many upgrades that could have bordered on excessive. That’s what it’s all about.

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Note: standard 2019 Hyundai Tucson vs 2020 Hyundai Tucson N-Line


Let’s start with the aesthetics. The first thing you’ll notice is the dark mesh pattern on the front grille. It’s a clear departure from the horizontal bars that populated the grille of the standard SUV. If anything, Hyundai’s taking a page from Mercedes-AMG with the grille-swapping shenanigans. You won’t catch me complaining, though. I think the mesh pattern front grille looks better on the Tucson. Give it the polished black treatment and it looks even better.

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Of course, that’s not the only distinctive upgrade you’ll see. Hyundai’s also using a redesigned bumper on the Tucson N Line. It’s more aggressive than what the standard Tucson has, and Hyundai even threw in boomerang-like daytime running lights on the outer edges of the bumper. Even the window frames are dressed in black, proving that, if for nothing else, Hyundai isn’t bashful about stealing some tricks from the Audi, BMW, and Mercedes’

respective playbook.

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Outside of the new grille and bumper, this is still the same Tucson. That goes to show how carefully curated the Tucson N Line is, at least from the perspective of its exterior. Hyundai managed to make meaningful changes to its aesthetics without completely robbing the Tucson of its identity. In many ways, it’s also what Hyundai did to the i30 and i30 Fastbacks when they were treated to the N Line Experience. Remember how the mesh grille on the i30 Fastback made it look like a hot hatch? I still think about it to this day.

2019 Hyundai i30 Fastback shown here


The interior also received a good chunk of upgrades, but most of the upgrades are what you’d expect. The seats are covered in N-branded leather-suede. The steering wheel and the seats have red accent stitching. The N gear shift lever gets dressed in leather, as well. These are all solid addition to bolstering the Tucson N Line’s identity.

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Note: Interior comparison between the 2019 Hyundai Tucson an the 2020 Hyundai Tucson N-Line


2020 Hyundai Tucson Performance

The real treat when it comes to the Tucson N Line is its performance capabilities. To be clear, Hyundai didn’t provide any power upgrades to the Tucson N Line. It’s still powered by the same engine lineup, including the 1.6-liter turbocharged gas engine that produces 175 horsepower. None of the engine options received any power bumps, which makes what Hyundai did even more impressive. It managed to improve the Tucson N Line’s performance capabilities without touching the engine. In particular, Hyundai used software adjustments to make the SUV’s steering more direct and responsive, and it stiffened the suspension — by eight percent in the front and five percent at the back — to give the Tucson N Line a more nuanced ability to handle the roads it travels on. Simple adjustments like this go along way in improving the overall driving experience of a particular vehicle. Granted, it’s going to be a while before I get my hands on a Tucson N Line, but I do imagine these upgrades to be significant enough to go unnoticed.

Final Thoughts

The Hyundai Tucson N Line is, in many ways, a sign of things to come for Hyundai. As important as the i30 and i30 Fastbacks were in laying the N Line’s foundation, the Tucson N Line is the model that’s going to give the performance group its platform to the world. Trust me, the Tucson N Line is going to sell, and it’s going to sell a lot. The model’s inevitable success will drive Hyundai further in showcasing the N Line on other models. Do you think the Tucson is the only Hyundai SUV to get this treatment? Think again. Eventually, the Santa Fe will receive it, too, and don’t be surprised if the all-new Palisade gets in on the fun, as well.

Hyundai still has a long way to go in building a solid foundation for its N Line division. There will be some hiccups and missed opportunities along the way. Those are inevitable when you’re building something as important as this. But for now, Hyundai can proudly stand stall, puff its chest, and strut to its heart’s content. The Hyundai Tucson N Line not only looks like a vehicle I’d want to buy, but it also wears its N Line digs proudly and impressively.

Who knows, there could be a future where a Hyundai Tucson N Line with actual power upgrades exists. That “future” might even arrive sooner than we think.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson N Line.

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson.

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Veloster N.

Read our full review on the 2018 Hyundai i30 N.

The Hyundai i30 N Line Isn’t A Hot-Hatch, Yet It Looks Stimulating Like One