Hyundai announced a new off-road inspired XRT trim to lure more adventurous buyers to its trendy crossover, the Tucson.
The Korean automaker launched the revamped version of the Tucson during November last year with a new exterior design and a slew of features on the inside. It was marked by sharp front and rear ends, body lines, and a new set of wheels to differentiate itself from the other players. However, the rest of its competitors, such as the Kia X-Pro and the Subaru Wilderness, were equipped with tougher internals to deal with the ruts and bumps of rocky and muddy terrains.
For 2021 and beyond, Hyundai announced the rugged XRT trim with specific add-ons and exterior finishes to distinguish it from its counterparts. The most noticeable change in its front fascia is a bolder, blacked-out grille and a tough-looking front bumper and radiator grille. The Tucson receives additional side cladding on the skirts and wheel-arches, blacked-out 19-inch XRT alloys, mirror caps, window surrounds, and twin roof rails for luggage mounts. The rear-end features the usual taillight and gate design, albeit with a rugged bumper added into the mix.
The Tucson XRT is based on a midline SEL variant with the Convenience package inside the cabin. Hence, it packs a power liftgate, 10.25″ digital infotainment system, ADAS (Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Active Cruise Control, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance, etc.), keyless entry, and ambient lighting. Additionally, the interior is upholstered in black cloth seats and a black headliner.
The Tucson XRT is available with a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, producing 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, but not with the hybrid and PHEV powertrains. However, customers can choose between the standard FWD or Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD configuration.
The Tucson starts from a decent $26,175 for the SE FWD with a $400 hike for the July 2021 version. The SEL is priced at $27,725, N-Line at $31,825, and the top-end Limited at $35,925 (all were FWD). The range also expands to include hybrid and PHEV powertrains ($43,775). Finally, the XRT will set you back $32,625 for the FWD and $34,125 for the AWD version.
