Why Hyundai axed plans for a 7-seater Tucson for India

Hyundai has launched the all-new, fourth-generation Tucson as the brand’s flagship SUV for India at Rs 27.7 lakh (ex-showroom). Globally available in two wheelbase versions, the new Tucson has come to India in its long wheelbase guise and continues to be a 5-seater SUV. Hyundai, however, had also contemplated a 7-seater version of the Tucson for India in a bid to distinctly position it above the 7-seater Alcazar.

• Hyundai had explored the idea of a 7-seater Tucson during development
• Was dropped due to insufficient space in third row

Why a 7-seater Tucson would not have worked

The new Tucson has grown in every dimension compared to its predecessor – the version that's come to India is a significant 150mm longer and has an 85mm longer wheelbase. Even in its short wheelbase guise, the new Tucson is 10mm longer in both length and wheelbase compared to its predecessor. This was to carve out more space on the inside.

With the current Creta growing in size too, and also getting a three-row version in the Alcazar, it was also important for Hyundai to push the Tucson further upmarket to make room for its smaller sibling.

During the development phase, however, Hyundai explored the idea of a three-row Tucson but found that space would be too tight in the third row for a flagship SUV, even less than in the Alcazar due to packaging constraints. Having faced a negative response to the poor third row space in the Santa Fe previously, Hyundai scrapped the idea to bring the 7-seater Tucson in India.

The new Tucson, however, fittingly serves as Hyundai’s flagship model in our country, not with its seating capacity, but with segment-first ADAS features, premium and well-appointed interiors and with range-topping petrol and diesel engines. Instead of three rows, Hyundai prioritised a more spacious second row for its flagship SUV in India.

What else is on Hyundai’s cards for India?

Going ahead, Hyundai will be looking to strengthen its EV portfolio in India. The all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be brought to India before the end of this year and will be locally assembled here. Additionally, the Kona Electric facelift is also due to arrive here before the end of this year. Come 2023, the mid-life facelift for the Creta which has already been unveiled overseas is expected to make it to our shores sometime early next year.