2022 Hyundai Tucson Has a Crazy Cool Face, Ford Mustang Taillights

 Seriously, this is a mainstream compact crossover SUV?

Today's Hyundai Tucson is a perfectly acceptable compact crossover, placing midpack in our rankings for its segment. It's tall, roomy, and has a straightforward demeanor thanks to its no-nonsense interior and competent ride and handling. Is it boring? No more so than any other mainstream affordable SUV. The all-new 2022 Hyundai Tucson, on the other hand, is going to be the opposite of boring—just see for yourself with these teaser images of what's to come.

Starting with the new Tucson's front graphics, it's a bold, spread-wings motif with three-dimensional grille detailing carried over into the integrated headlights. The lights themselves appear to be LED units that fit into the grille's egg-crate-style grid pattern. Hyundai's stylists have pinched the headlights in from each front corner, lending the SUV the impression of bulging front fenders, a look further enhanced by the intake elements jutting into the Tucson's prominent cheekbones. Interestingly, the Hyundai's general frontal geometry isn't terribly different from, say, the original (and very boring) Toyota Venza's—but the 2022 Tucson's wild execution and more futuristic, expressive detailing lends it an altogether original feel akin to that of Hyundai's ultra-hot Prophecy EV concept.

Things aren't toned down much, if at all, at the other end of the 2022 Tucson. A full-width LED light bar bridges a pair of vertical taillight spears at each rear corner, and flows into a prominent body-side crease that arcs all the way into the front door skins. It's slightly Ford Mustang-like, albeit with two vertical light bars per side rather than the iconic muscle car's three, a look also used on the new electric Mustang Mach-E crossover's rear end. The comparison the taillights bring to mind falls away, though, when one considers the overall aesthetic, which strikes us as unique.

With such crazy details, one might wonder whether this is a look at a concept version or the real, production Tucson. Several indicators point to it being the real deal, from the production-ready and not insanely huge wheels and tires to the realistic rooftop antenna and door mirrors. Delightful touches include the Hyundai "H" badge floating in the tailgate glass, the pair of longitudinal streaks stamped into the center of the hood, and what appears to be a fast backlight treatment. We could maybe do without the faux vents molded into the aft side of each fender flare, as well as the satin-metal-look trim that arcs over the side glass and defines the D-pillar, and we need to see the design in the light of day—or at least outside of these darkened photos—to render final judgment. But it ain't boring.

Things aren't toned down much, if at all, at the other end of the 2022 Tucson. A full-width LED light bar bridges a pair of vertical taillight spears at each rear corner, and flows into a prominent body-side crease that arcs all the way into the front door skins. It's slightly Ford Mustang-like, albeit with two vertical light bars per side rather than the iconic muscle car's three, a look also used on the new electric Mustang Mach-E crossover's rear end. The comparison the taillights bring to mind falls away, though, when one considers the overall aesthetic, which strikes us as unique.

With such crazy details, one might wonder whether this is a look at a concept version or the real, production Tucson. Several indicators point to it being the real deal, from the production-ready and not insanely huge wheels and tires to the realistic rooftop antenna and door mirrors. Delightful touches include the Hyundai "H" badge floating in the tailgate glass, the pair of longitudinal streaks stamped into the center of the hood, and what appears to be a fast backlight treatment. We could maybe do without the faux vents molded into the aft side of each fender flare, as well as the satin-metal-look trim that arcs over the side glass and defines the D-pillar, and we need to see the design in the light of day—or at least outside of these darkened photos—to render final judgment. But it ain't boring.