The Hyundai Tucson is set to undergo a major revamp. The fifth-generation SUV will feature Hyundai’s most impressive in-car technology yet.
The Hyundai Tucson is soon going to enter its fifth generation, according to a report issued from Korea, and it will be the SUV’s most impressive yet. Hyundai plans to include its advanced in-car tech, Pleos Connect.
An exclusive report by ET News indicates that the next Tucson will be released in the third quarter of 2026. It won’t be the first Hyundai vehicle to get the new Pleos Connect system, as the Elantra will be released before the Tucson with the same advanced tech.
What Is Pleos Connect?
Pleos Connect is one component of the automaker’s high-tech end-to-end mobility software platform, Pleos. The software system consists of three parts: the vehicle operating system, Pleos Connect, and Pleos Playground.
While Pleos Connect will operate as a standard infotainment system, Pleos Playground will be an open development platform featuring a third-party app market. Pleos is the automaker’s jumping-off point to software-defined vehicles (SDVs).
What Will Be Included in the Tucson?
The report from Korea only stipulated that the next Tucson will feature Pleos Connect. It made no mention of the vehicle operating system or the Pleos Playground, so it’s unclear whether additional features will be available.
That said, Pleos Connect features some of the most innovative technology available. The Android Automotive OS-based infotainment system features a smartphone-like UI with multi-window functionality, a generative AI program, and Pleos ID for cloud-based user profile syncing.
What to Expect From the Hardware
So far, we’ve only talked about the Pleos Connect software. Now, let’s take a look at what to expect for hardware. According to the same report, the fifth-generation Tucson will feature a massive central touchscreen with integrated controls and minimal buttons.
Experts are hesitant to believe that Hyundai will do away with the physical buttons altogether. The automaker had pledged earlier this year to reintroduce tactile buttons in the future, making this move unlikely.
What to Expect in Terms of Timeline
Hyundai plans to introduce the Pleos Connect infotainment system in its next-gen Elantra and Tucson. The Tucson is Hyundai’s best-selling vehicle. It sold 113,310 units in the first two quarters of 2025, representing a 23% increase from the same period last year.
The Elantra is also a popular model. It has come in second in sales for the year so far, with 74,768 units sold. While there’s no indication of when the new Elantra will be introduced, the Tucson is expected to reach the US in late 2026.
So far, Hyundai has not provided any indication of its plans for updating the rest of its impressive lineup. If you want a Hyundai Santa Fe with Pleos Connect, you may have to wait a few years. That said, based on current reports, it sounds like it will be well worth the wait.
