2022 Hyundai Tucson N Line Flexes Its Sportier Styling

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson N Line has finally unveiled, further expanding the N brand’s portfolio of performance vehicles. Though if you’re expecting a Tucson with stiffer suspension, added chassis bracing and a more powerful engine, this, unfortunately, isn’t it.

Upfront, the Hyundai Tucson N Line gets a slightly larger grille that’s flanked by the car’s signature “parametric” LED daytime running lights. The front bumper is also lower and more aggressive for a sportier look. At the sides, the Tucson’s black cladding has been swapped out for body-colored ones, which hints at its supposed improved on-road performance. Moving towards the back, and you’ll see a new spoiler with integrated fins, a new rear bumper with an integrated rear diffuser and dual exhausts. Completing the sportier exterior are a set of new 19-inch alloy wheels.

More sporty upgrades were made to the interior of the Hyundai Tucson N Line, though these are more minor than those on the exterior. Some of these upgrades include leather and suede sport seats with red contrast stitching, an N-specific steering wheel and aluminum pedals.

Unfortunately, the news isn’t bright when it comes to the powertrain. At least in Europe, the Tucson N Line is mostly an aesthetics package. All of the engines available for the European Tucson will also be available in this European N Line model except for the entry-level diesel engine. This is in contrast to the Hyundai Sonata N Line, which gained a more powerful 290-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that’s mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.

On the upside, at least the plug-in hybrid version with its 261 hp and 350 Nm of torque will be available for the Tucson N Line. Like in the standard Tucson plug-in hybrid, this has a pure electric range of 50 kilometers in a single charge.

Hyundai did say that models equipped with the electronically controlled suspension features N Line-specific tuning that supposedly improves cornering and handling.

For now, let’s wait and see what Hyundai has in store for the North American Tucson N Line and whether their version will get actual performance upgrades.