The SUV market in Korea is a battlefield, with consumers carefully considering price, options, and performance to make a rational choice, while manufacturers engage in fierce competition to meet market demands every year. Hyundai’s new model, the ‘2025 Tucson’, was released on the 19th, sparking comparisons with Kia’s Sportage and attracting consumer attention.
2025 Tucson, Reborn with Customer Feedback
The 2025 Tucson, which appeared as a model change of last year’s ‘The New Tucson’, has been further enhanced by actively reflecting customer feedback on product quality. From the basic trim Modern to the premium trim Inspiration, consumer-preferred luxury features such as smartphone wireless charging and safety power windows have been standard, adding appeal. The top trim, Inspiration, offers a new option package ‘Best Selection Ⅲ·Ⅳ’, providing enhanced convenience.
Price starts at 2,771 million won for the 1.6L turbo gasoline engine model Modern trim, 3,068 million won for the Premium trim, and 3,439 million won for the Inspiration trim, minimizing price increases compared to before to enhance competitiveness.
The Game of Thrones in the Midsize SUV Throne, Who Will Laugh?
Sportage continues to appeal to consumers with steady upgrades. The facelift model emphasizes driving performance and convenience by discontinuing diesel models and introducing an 8-speed automatic transmission, enhancing its luxurious image. Strong safety features such as smart cruise control and steering wheel vibration warning are highlighted from the base trim.
However, the possibility of price increases could hinder Sportage’s progress. The Prestige trim is priced at 28 million won, and the Signature trim is priced at 34.6 million won, with prices increasing further with additional options. Especially, the price of the Signature full-option model reaches 42.18 million won, an increase of about 4.05 million won from before.
On the other hand, the hybrid model of Tucson is expected to be around 46 million won when applying tax benefits, providing a reasonable alternative for consumers looking for a hybrid SUV.
In the end, the choice depends on consumers’ lifestyles and priorities. The 2025 Tucson could be a charming option for those seeking reasonable prices and appropriate option configurations, while Sportage may appeal to consumers prioritizing luxury features and driving satisfaction. In the fiercely competitive midsize SUV market, how consumers evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these two models and the impact of their choices on each brand’s market position is closely watched.