Hyundai Tucson 2019 revealed

One of Hyundai's most important models just has undergone a significant overhaul, with the refreshed Tucson SUV unveiled at the New York motor show today.

Forget the fancy concepts and all-electric wizardry on show elsewhere, the Tucson is the real heavy hitter of Hyundai's NY stand. The mid-size SUV shifted almost 24,000 units in 2017, making it not just the brand's best-performing SUV, but Hyundai's second-highest seller overall.

Kind of a big deal, then. So predictably, this update is more than just a minor nip and tuck, with Hyundai tidying up the exterior, adding in-cabin technology and updating the safety package for its 2019 Tucson.

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Outside, the Tucson has gone under Hyundai's knife.

"The Tucson is a hugely important car for Hyundai Australia, and so we're pretty thrilled with what we've seen here in New York," said Hyundai Australia's spokesman Guido Shenken.

"As one of Australia's best-selling SUVs, this new updated Tucson certainly has some big tyres to fill, but we're very confident it will do exactly that.

"The technology and safety updates to this car will make it one of the most advanced vehicles in its class when it arrives in Australia later this year, which is exactly what our customers have come to expect from the Tucson."

Outside, the Tucson has gone under Hyundai's knife, now arriving with the brand's new "cascading grille" - a wide-slat design that stretches to the very edges of the bonnet, adding a new and premium-feeling road presence to the Tucson's straight-on view. The headlights ave been shifted downwards, and new LED DRLs, a new alloy wheel design and refreshed taillights complete the exterior makeover.

Inside, a seven-inch tablet-style touchscreen (that's both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto equipped) floats above the dash, handling the multimedia duties, while a Qi wireless charging pad works with compatible phones. The interior design itself has been stripped back, with a layered-style dash that is home only to the central air vents that sit above the climate controls.

While detailed specification is still being confirmed for Australia, expect a surround-view safety monitor, adaptive cruise control and a driver-fatigue detection system to join the safety kit.

Inside, a seven-inch tablet-style touchscreen floats above the dash.

"The signature elements of the Hyundai cascading grille and modern-day surfacing found in the rear view create shadowy, dramatic impressions and represent the Hyundai DNA," said Chris Chapman, lead designer, Hyundai Motor America.

"The 2019 Tucson trim enhancements place the modern-day Tucson as a top competitor for small SUV buyers."

The engine lineup is not expected to change, with a 1.6-litre petrol engine joined by a 2.0-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel in front- or all-wheel drive configurations and across Active, Active X, Elite and Highlander trim levels, but the diesel will be paired with a new eight-speed automatic gearbox, replacing the old six-speed automatic.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but don't expect much change from current pricing, which kicks off at around $30k, with the new Tucson to touch down in the third quarter of 2018.

Eagle-eyed readers might spot them earlier, though, with a local tuning program already underway in Oz.