A warm welcome to Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMY, as they want to be known), which is having its first official event today. If you somehow missed it, Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) has taken over its namesake brand in Malaysia, and with the principal coming in, HMY is an equivalent of Honda Malaysia, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia and other OEMs directly controlled by the mothership.
Earlier this month, HMY’s social media went live on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, LinkedIn and TikTok. Last week, HMY officially announced its presence to the public, stating its long term commitment to Malaysia, declared three new models and invited existing Hyundai owners to connect.
The Tucson facelift you see here is one of the three models that will kickstart HMY’s journey in Malaysia (the others are the Santa Fe and Staria). This is the latest facelift of the fourth-generation Tucson that first surfaced in late 2020. The facelift retains what’s good about this NX4 generation (it’s super sharp Parametric Dynamics bodywork) but ‘showcases a more dynamic appearance that embodies the company’s progressive vision for future mobility’.
If you’re not very familiar with the NX4 Tucson that was launched locally in late 2023 (not many Malaysians are as it’s a very rare sight), it would be hard to tell the original and facelift apart if they’re not side-by-side.
The front fascia features a bold interplay of thin, angular lines in the radiator grille, complemented by hidden ‘Parametric Jewel’ daytime running lights. Compared to the pre-facelift, the grille elements are more sparse now and so are the DRLs – there were four LEDs in a line, now there’s three, but they’re larger and rounder in shape.
The re-profiled bumper is more angular, and so are the headlamp cutouts. The slim piece of silver ‘skid plate’ extends from end-to-end now. There are also redesigned wheels and at the back, the skid plate is now integrated into the bumper moulding and enlarged horizontally, echoing the front end. Overall, it’s a slightly more rugged, more Santa Cruz look, which is nice.
The changes are way more substantial inside, where the facelift gets a new dashboard that’s more in the style of the Ioniq 5 and 6 EVs. The ‘waterfall’ design of the original makes way for a conjoined dual-screen horizontal layout, with a matching full-width AC vent strip. The steering is new too – the fresh one is a three-spoke unit that omits the Hyundai logo, just like in the Ioniq EVs.
The gear selection buttons on the centre console are no more, replaced by a stalk on the steering column. The result is a very open area between the front seats with plenty of space for storage.
HMY has confirmed three powertrains for the Tucson facelift. The SUV will get a 156 PS/192 Nm 2.0 MPi naturally aspirated engine, 180 PS/265 Nm 1.6 TGDi turbo-four and – new to Malaysia – a 235 PS/367 Nm 1.6T HEV turbo hybrid. The NA engine is paired with a six-speed torque converter automatic, the 1.6T gets a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and the hybrid comes with a 6AT.
There are four variants, and they are the base Style with the 2.0L NA engine, the mid-spec Prime with the 1.6T, the high-spec Prestige 1.6T AWD and the Prestige 1.6T Hybrid, which is FWD like the Style and Prime 1.6T. Powertrain aside, leather seats is for all except the Style; while the steering column shifter (shift by wire) with paddle shifters is reserved for the Prestige. Safety wise, it’s six airbags across the board but ADAS is only for the Prime and Prestige.
To recap, the pre-facelift, launched by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors in November 2023, had three variants – the base 2.0 Lite (RM158,888) with a 156 PS/192 Nm 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, followed by the 1.6T Plus (RM178,888) and the range-topping 1.6T Max at RM195,888. The latter two are powered by a 180 PS/265 Nm 1.6L turbo engine with seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (6AT for 2.0L).
Also, Malaysia gets the Tucson in long-wheelbase guise, which is the version sold in the US. At 4,630 mm long and 1,865 mm wide, Hyundai’s C-segment SUV is 61 mm shorter and 1 mm narrower than the Honda CR-V, which does look its length. The Hyundai’s 2,755 mm wheelbase – 75 mm longer than the standard WB found in markets like Europe – is 54 mm longer than the Honda though. Boot space is 582 litres, expandable to 1,903 litres with the rear seats folded down.
So, what do you think of the Hyundai Tuscon facelift by HMY? Surely it’s now worth a second look next to the usual suspects like the Honda CR-V, Jaecoo J7 and Mazda CX-5? But as always, much depends on the price, which will be revealed next week, July 2. This time around, the NX4 Tucson will be CKD locally assembled (after an initial CBU launch batch) so prices should be competitive.
GALLERY: Hyundai Tuscon 1.6T Hybrid Prestige HEV
GALLERY: Hyundai Tuscon 1.6T AWD Prestige
GALLERY: Hyundai Tuscon facelift official images
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Too late for Hyundai Korea to take over from Sime Darby.
Damage already done.Picking up the pieces now,they have to fight with so many China cars.
They should have terminated Sime Darby long long ago.
Now,the market is too saturated.
Look at Mazda..their sales r also badly affected.
Your brain match your name perfectly
Recalcitrant Peppa
This is car forum…no personal attacks pls..if u cant agree,and resort to personal attacks..then your brain is worst…always picking a fight.Pity your “brain”.
Mazda sales have gotten poorer not because of the product, but because of Berjaya. Just like how Altis sales is in the gutter because of UMW. Kia sales is in a flaming dumpster because of Berjaya as well. Etc.
If Hyundai prices their cars right, while not shortchanging us on the features, many people would pay that extra 10-15% to get one over a comparable Chinese car. Look at how well the CRV is selling despite intense competition from cheap Chinese cars.
All depends. But in the end, many people will still prefer chinese cars and korean cars especially hyundai and true that also better than japanese cars. Even toyota also can’t even beat both of korean cars and chinese cars with toyota still come with ancient engine and also low spec and poor quality too. Even if you look at Indonesia, see why many people also buying chinese cars and korean cars more over japanese cars nowadays
Oh really? And how is the civic sales still remain untouchable then? Lmao. Such a full of yourself chinese cars whore
Perfect car
Better than corolla cross
The Japanese are getting hammered here so not surprised they want to take over to do damage control otherwise better close shop and exit the market. This facelift is a good buy especially with the updated interior. All the best HMY.
Next.
This is worst than the Sportage. Even Kia did a better job..
Get your eyes checked. I’ve seen the current Seltos and Sportage on the road. They are so hideous that any stranger would automatically doubt the sanity of the buyer.
But the current Tucson and Elantra surprisingly look better in the flesh than they do in pictures. I thought they’d be ugly and overdone with all the busy angular lines and creases that you see in the media pics. But seeing them in the flesh, they’re actually not bad at all.
Buy today at so high price, sell tomoro at very low price furthermore the spare parts are xpensive.
HMY coming in strong with the long waited Tucson and Santa Fe facelifts.
the Tucson has always been one of my favourite SUVs ever since i rented one abroad. it’s much more plush than a CRV / CX-5 and so much more refined on the road.
looks good too!
Finally seeing the Santa Fe arrive at our shores. We might have a winner here if they know how to price it competitively.
If HMY price it competitively, I don’t mind to give it a try. After see it sister brand, Kia sportage underspec by Bermaz push me away.
Interior look like 90s design
Once u driven an ev, you wont go back to ice or hybrid. It feels so harsh and dinosaurs when compare to china bev.