Tucson N? Santa Fe N? Hyundai open to more N SUVs after launch of 2021 Kona N

Hyundai is open to giving the N treatment to more of its SUV models, including the Tucson and Santa Fe, though larger models will likely need to adopt some of electrification for a performance boost.

Speaking to journalists at the reveal of the Kona N online, Hyundai N global chief marketing officer Thomas Schemera said market demand would dictate whether a Tucson N or Santa Fe N would be developed.

“We started now with the Kona N as our hot SUV, we are absolutely happy with that decision,” he said.

“We will check the market … If this makes sense in the end based on market demand, then we have to look into it, but there are no concrete plans yet.”

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However, whether the i30 and Kona N’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine will carryover to the potential larger models is unclear, but with outputs of up to 213kW/392Nm, Hyundai could be looking for something spicier for its Tucson and/or Santa Fe N.

For reference, the 2021 Tucson line-up tops out with a 137kW/416Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, while a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine is also on offer.

The Santa Fe meanwhile, is powered by a 200kW/331Nm 3.5-litre V6 or a 148kW/440Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine.

Rumours have previously circulated that the Tucson N Line would score the Sonata’s 213kW/422Nm 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which turned out to be untrue as the N Line is an equipment pack now available across Hyundai’s mid-size SUV line-up.

A Tucson N however, could make use of this 2.5-litre engine, with overseas scuttlebutt pointing to a 254kW-plus tune to blow away rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4.

Mr Schemera said however, that a potential future version of the Tucson or Santa Fe N would need to adopt some form of electrification, making them a performance hybrid or plug-in.

“Strategically we are moving to eco-friendly vehicles in the future,” he said.

“This is not a matter of capability, this is a matter of market demand and focusing in the right direction, and I guess eco-friendly cars and bigger Ns on the Palisade and Tucson, this has to be carefully considered.”