[7][8] Positioned as a smaller alternative to the Santa Fe, it shared its Hyundai Elantra-based platform with the second-generation Kia Sportage.

[9] In the U.S., the Tucson was offered in base GLS, mid-line SE, and top-tier Limited (formerly LX) trim levels for 2007 models.

Standard equipment included air conditioning, six airbags, electronic stability control, a CD player, alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and premium cloth seats.

The SE added to the roster with contrasting gray body cladding, a different alloy design, an AM/FM/Cassette/CD as well as fog lights and a front windshield wiper de-icing grid.

The Tucson offers modest cargo space but its easy-to-fold seats can expand this volume so they lie flat.

2009 Hyundai Tucson by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)[10] In 2006, the LX became the Limited and got colour-coded cladding, automatic climate control, and a high-performance sound system.

The vehicle includes an 80 kW electric motor by Enova Systems of Torrance, California, UTC Fuel Cells by South Windsor, Connecticut, 152V battery co-developed by Hyundai Motor Co. and LG Chem in Seoul, Korea, 152 litres (33 imp gal; 40 US gal) hydrogen storage tanks developed by Dynetek Industries of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

[11] The vehicle was unveiled at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show[12] and completed a 4,300-mile (6,900 km) journey as part of the Hydrogen Road Tour in 2008.

2014 model year Tucson for North America have been upgraded with GDI direct injected Theta II engines that obtain more power and better emissions, LED tail/head lights, more stylish alloy rim designs, and a few minor improvements to the interior/audio system.

The European market ix35 has a restyled grille, front bumper, rounded fog lights and projector headlights, to differentiate it with global models.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine, available outside of North America, meets the Euro-5 emissions standards and achieves 6.5 l/100 km (15.4 km/L; 36.2 mpg‑US) fuel economy with maximum power output of 184 hp (187 PS; 137 kW).

Starting from this generation, safety technologies such as lane departure warning, blind spot detection, and auto braking for pedestrians and cars, along with a dual-clutch automatic transmission and torque vectoring known as Hyundai Active Cornering Control are offered.

[53] Revealed in April 2015 for the 2016 model year, the North American market Tucson was offered with a choice of two engines, a 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder delivering 164 hp (166 PS; 122 kW) and 151 lb⋅ft (205 N⋅m; 20.9 kg⋅m) of torque with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 175 hp (177 PS; 130 kW) and 195 lb⋅ft (264 N⋅m; 27.0 kg⋅m) of torque paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Models with the 2.0-litre GDi engine were sourced from South Korea, while the 2.0 MPi, 1.6 T-GDi and 2.0 R-Series variants were imported from the Czech Republic.

[56][51] First shown at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, the Tucson for the 2019 model year received a facelift and changes to the powertrain options.

The interior received an update to include a newly designed dash with lower centrally-placed air vents and a high-mounted head unit display.

The manual and dual clutch transmission options were dropped in favor of the 6-speed Shiftronic automatic used in the previous model.

The concept plug-in-hybrid is also based on the all-new Tucson platform and is equipped with a 1.7-litre diesel engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

[72] The all-new model features Hyundai's "jewel-like" grille, with geometric daytime running lights integrated in its design.

[73] Prior to its release, the fourth-generation Tucson was previewed as the Vision T Concept showcased at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2019.

[79] In the interior, the new Tucson features an optional hoodless fully digital instrument cluster and a four-spoke steering wheel.

For the long-wheelbase version, Hyundai claimed the cargo volume will provide a 38.7 cu ft (1,096 L) of usable space.

[81][82] Changes includes an updated front fascia with new skid plates, the "H" logo on the steering wheel being replaced with a four-dot morse code, a new switchgear for the HVAC controls and infotainment system, the gear selector was moved to the steering wheel column and a revamped centre console with a larger wireless charging pad.

Continued to be produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech, the European-market Tucson is solely offered with the short 2,680 mm (105.5 in) wheelbase version.

The European range of the fourth-generation Tucson includes five electrified powertrain options, as well as one petrol and one diesel.

A plug-in hybrid variant based on the 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol with a combined output of 261 hp (265 PS; 195 kW) was introduced in 2021.

[84] Offered with the long-wheelbase specification, it features a new 2.5-litre 4-cylinder Smartstream petrol engine rated at 187 hp (190 PS; 139 kW) and 178 lb⋅ft (241 N⋅m; 24.6 kg⋅m) of torque.

[85] Despite resistance from the labor union in South Korea,[86] Hyundai started to produce the new Tucson in the United States due to its increasing popularity from February 2021.

[88][89] Since June 2024, Hyundai added production for the North American market at Kia's Mexican plant in Pesquería.

[106] The fourth-generation Tucson went on sale in South Africa on 10 March 2022, with three trim levels: Premium, Executive and Elite.