2022 Hyundai Tucson N-Line First Look: Sportier Looking, Not Any Sportier

 There is nary a suspension upgrade or a turbocharger in sight on this "sporty" model.

Whatever you think of the way the new Hyundai Tucson looks, there's little doubt that it does plenty to set itself apart in a relatively sedate segment. But if the looks of the regular 2022 Tucson weren't quite enough to digest—or be excited about—already, Hyundai has an even angrier Tucson N-Line version in the works, and it's even less subtle.

Up front, the Tucson wears a more aggressive grille and slightly redesigned front bumper with a marginally larger lower central air intake and a bright silver skid plate. Out back there's a new roof spoiler and fresh exhaust outlets poking out from underneath the right side of the new rear bumper. N-Line models also get body-colored wheel arch extensions, N-Line specific wheels, and, depending on color, the option for a contrasting black-painted roof.

Suede now covers most of the seats, though the units are unchanged and no more supportive when compared to the chairs in non N-Line cars, despite the fact that the Sonata N-Line offers excellent seats with adjustable side bolsters. Red stitching is used throughout the dark cabin on the seats, center console, steering wheel, and doors to give the Tucson N-Line a slightly sportier look. Beyond these skin-level upgrades, there isn't much else in the way of actual performance upgrades for the more aggro Tucson. Those who want a more performance-oriented compact SUV should look more toward the recently confirmed Kona N, the hotter version of the smaller Kona crossover.

Even though "N-Line" denotes "quicker" in Hyundai-speak when used on the Sonata sedan, there are no changes to the Tucson N-Line's powertrain, suspension, or the brakes. According to Hyundai's customer site, the N-Line will only be available with a 190-hp 2.5-liter four cylinder (one of three available powertrains here in the U.S.) with either front- or all-wheel-drive. No turbo, no spicy exhaust, nada.

Other goodies such as Hyundai's digital dashboard, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, automatic high beams, forward collision warning, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all here. It's worth noting that, even though Hyundai's release only mentions the Tucson's European-market prospects, the N-Line appears as an option on Hyundai's U.S. consumer site for the new SUV. Hyundai isn't talking pricing just yet, but you can expect the N-Line to be priced somewhere in the middle of the Tucson range, right around $31,000 when it comes stateside.