All kinds of new cars are debuting at the New York Auto Show and here sits the Hyundai Tucson looking like it did last year, without that impressive 1.6-liter engine or a DCT transmission. Little tweaks outside did leave time for some more refinement inside, but in terms of powertrain technology, Hyundai has definitely taken a step backward, a move that could put it in an unrecoverable position in its fight against models like the Ford Edge and Chevy Equinox. Hyundai did bring some redesigned wheels and now offers a second-row USB charger too. Is that enough to consider the 2019 Tucson as a new model? Yeah, probably not, but keep reading for the finer details.

2019 Hyundai Tucson Exterior Design

If you believe what Hyundai says you’d think that the 2019 Tucson was all new. In reality, this is just a mid-cycle facelift that follows something along the lines of BMW’s facelift philosophy – make minor tweaks and call it new. For instance, the radiator grille is practically the same; it’s just be lifted a bit and now has a very slight curve on the sides. The headlights and taillights get a new LED pattern, while the corner vents receive more aggressive features. As a whole, the front end works together, but it really takes a trained eye to spot the difference.

Nothing on the side profile changes, but it’s a facelift, not a redesign – despite the fact that Hyundai is billing this as one of the “new” CUVs it plans to debut by 2020. Around back, the rear fascia was toned down with the reflectors now moved higher in the body. The hatch as a new design around the license plate recess and the rear skid plate now sits lower. Much like the drivetrain, Hyundai seems to have taken a step backward in design in the rear.

2019 Hyundai Tucson Performance (or lack thereof)

Hyundai promised that the 2019 Tucson comes with a “revised powertrain lineup featuring more power.” What that translates to is the same 2.0-liter with the same 164 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque and a 2.4-liter four-banger with 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet. In fairness, that’s six more horsepower than what was offered by the 1.6-liter turbo, but it’s also 20 pound-feet less. To add insult to injury, that 2.4-liter – like the 2.0-liter – is paired with a six-speed automatic. That means that Hyundai dropped the turbocharged mill with more torque and the reliable seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for a naturally aspirated mill with a few more ponies and probably the same fuel economy. If the exterior design wasn’t backward, the powertrain lineup certainly is. I’m willing to bet that the 2.4-liter even does worse on the fuel economy front. The only thing that may save it is the lock-up torque converter that may help at higher speeds, but that’s an old technology that’s been around for years so Hyundai should have been using this on its standard automatic transmissions anyway

2019 Hyundai Tucson Interior – Where Things Actually Changed

Hyundai may not have done much outside, and someone should be jailed for the crimes committed under the hood, but the interior actually got a revitalizing look that does do the vehicle some justice. That ugly center stack with too many buttons and surrounding bezel is gone and has been replaced by a floating display unit that isn’t any larger but is more stylish. The instrument cluster is the same while the bezel takes a different look as do all of the HVAC vents. The whole upper portion of the dash has been redesigned to offer up more character in light of the new infotainment system with the center console and HVAC controls looking more dated now than they did before. Everything else in the interior carries over, but the new dash does wonders, don’t you think?

Final Thoughts

The new look of the Tucson’s interior is admirable, despite that fact that the majority of the interior trim remains. What Hyundai did under the hood and outside, however, is quite disturbing. Especially when you consider this is being marketed as a “re-engineered” model. And, to make things worse, the brand actually thinks this thing has what it takes to do damage on the market, with Hyundai’s Director of Product Planning, Scott Margason, saying, “The 2019 Tucson trim enhancements place the modern-day Tucson as a top competitor for CUV shoppers.”

Well, we’re not so sure about that, but I wouldn’t hold my breath expecting folks to beat down dealer doors trying to get into a new Tucson. You’re honestly better off waiting a couple more years until the next-gen model comes out. But, to each their own, I suppose. At least Hyundai has the new Santa Fe, and it’s looking pretty good – maybe you should check out that.

References

Read our full review on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson.

Read our full review on the 2017 Hyundai Tucson.

Read more Hyundai news.

Read more New York Auto Show news.