Hyundai Motor's all-new Tucson topped 15,000 orders within a day of going on sale, the most ever recorded for the model.
Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) said on the 22nd that the fifth-generation Tucson, a compact sport utility vehicle redesigned for the first time in six years, drew 15,045 orders on Oct. 21, the first day contracts opened. The figure exceeds the 10,842 orders logged on the opening day for the fourth-generation Tucson, which launched in September 2020.
By trim, the top-end Inspiration accounted for the largest share at 44%. The entry-level H-Pick followed at 33%, the mid-tier Exclusive at 22% and the XRT, an Exclusive-based trim with its own styling, at 1%.
The jump in Inspiration's share to 44% from 29% previously points to buyers who want advanced features and added content even in a compact SUV. The trim comes standard with the latest equipment, including Pleos Connect built around a 17-inch display, Highway Driving Assist 2 and dual wireless smartphone charging.
Hyundai also made a broad range of popular safety and convenience features standard on the H-Pick, including Pleos Connect, over-the-air software updates, pedal misapplication safety assist, navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 2 and a surround-view monitor.
By powertrain, the hybrid's share rose to 55% from 48% for the previous Tucson, overtaking the gasoline model. The hybrid uses Hyundai Motor Group's next-generation hybrid system, delivering a combined system output of 245 horsepower, 10 more than before, and combined fuel economy of 17.4 kilometers per liter, an improvement of 1.2 kilometers per liter.
The strong start owed much to pricing that came in lower than expected. The 1.6-liter turbo gasoline base trim starts at 31.4 million won ($21,900). The hybrid starts at 36.15 million won, with a fully loaded version staying below 50 million won.
The fifth-generation Tucson's starting price is 2.96 million won higher than the outgoing model. Even so, reviews called the pricing reasonable given the larger body and the convenience and safety features, including Pleos Connect, fitted from the base trim up.
Comparisons with Kia's (000270.KS) Sportage, a rival in the same segment, have been especially favorable, with many judging the Tucson clearly superior on both price and performance. Several posts on online forums showed owners who canceled existing Sportage orders and bought the Tucson instead.