When the Hyundai Tucson debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2005, consumers almost immediately embraced it. It was a top compact SUV contender from the start, and Hyundai proved it was ready to compete.

Since then, this competitive crossover has evolved over three generations and doesn’t appear to be losing momentum with the SUV-buying public. And according to the sales numbers, the Hyundai Tucson has become significantly more popular since its last redesign and in its third generation.

How customers embraced the current generation

The third generation for the Hyundai Tucson kicked off in 2015 at the New York Auto Show, according to Cars Direct. It would prove to be the generation that has endured a run through 2021 production. But this redesign was exceptional and has clearly made an impact on sales as the buying public responded favorably to new features.

This SUV came out of the gate with more room, in almost every direction. There have been a host of modern amenities, too, including ventilated front seats and panoramic sunroofs. Most notably, an ongoing fan-favorite is the Tucson’s turbocharged engine, offering great pep and performance along with fuel efficiency.

And Hyundai knows a thing or two about building a crossover for the long term. So, this little SUV certainly has been able to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded space, without major redesigns.

A steady surge in popularity over the years

The Hyundai Tucson has been a steady performer in terms of sales over the years. Despite a few year-end fluctuations, the figures point to a near breakeven run between the introductory year (2005) and the launch of the current generation (2015.) 

According to Good Car, Bad Car, Hyundai sold 61,048 in 2005 and 63,591 in 2015. But that’s when the data gets interesting. It’s this third generation that has surged. Hyundai hit 114,735 in 2017, then 153,792 in 2018.

And while this year’s numbers seem to be a disappointing 80,495, it’s important to remember the COVID-19 impact on the industry, tanking almost everyone’s sales. And of course, this year isn’t over just yet, and most automakers are currently experiencing sales rebounds.

What’s new for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson

According to Edmunds, not much is changing for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson as it maintains its role as part of the third model generation. But you can expect tremendous value with loads of features and affordable pricing.

The infotainment platform will be easy to use, and the ride will be comfortable. There are a few changes to the color lineup, as well. As with previous models, you’ll enjoy two different four-cylinder engines, both of which offer drive modes for sport and economy driving styles.

The next redesign generation is coming soon

The Hyundai Tucson, despite its third-generation success, is planning to shed its skin for a complete redesign for 2022. The fourth generation is coming.

Early predictions from Edmunds suggest the 2022 Hyundai Tucson will be available in the spring or summer of next year. And fans are expecting an entirely new exterior look. Some of the critics are calling the new interior “daring for this class.” But the big news is that the Tucson will be available in a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variation. You might also see some high-performance configurations making the Tucson even more appealing to drive.

The numbers indicate that over the years, the Hyundai Tucson has been increasing in popularity. And you might say it’s not even trying, considering it’s still riding out the last year or so of its third-generation model. It only builds that much more suspense as fans wait to see what the next-gen Tucson will be like upon arrival.