2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro Debuts With Smart Terrain Assist and 8.3 Inches of Clearance

Quick Facts:

  • Tucson XRT Pro: the rugged trim of the all-new 2027 Hyundai Tucson, revealed October 1, 2026 in New York.
  • Ground clearance: about 8.3 inches, up 1.2 inches from the standard 7.1 inches.
  • Hardware: all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires and front hooks.
  • Trail tech: a green, orange or red stuck score as visual guidance.
  • Hybrid numbers: 233 horsepower, a 0 to 60 mph target of 8.5 seconds, towing up to 3,000 pounds.
  • Price: not announced.
  • On sale: North America in 2027.
  • Likely fit: campers and families who drive forest roads and trailheads.

 5 min read

Overview

The 2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro comes with all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, front recovery hooks and about 8.3 inches of ground clearance. The details come from Hyundai’s worldwide newsroom release. Pricing remains unannounced, and North America sales start in 2027.

Hyundai revealed the 2027 Tucson in New York on October 1, 2026. Korea gets it later this year, and North America follows in 2027.

I have owned five Jeeps, including two Grand Cherokee Overlands, two Wranglers and a Gladiator, so I look for low-range gearing first. Hyundai’s release does not list it. As a result, the XRT Pro looks like a dirt-road and trailhead vehicle, not a rock crawler.

What Hyundai Confirmed About the Tucson XRT Pro

The table separates published numbers from open questions, because Hyundai’s worldwide release gives no full spec sheet for this trim.

Detail What we know
Ground clearance About 8.3 inches, versus 7.1 inches standard
Drivetrain All-wheel drive
Tires All-terrain; size and brand not published. See our BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A+ report for a crossover tire.
Approach and departure angles Hyundai says aggressive; no figures
Low-range gearing Not listed
Powertrain Hybrid listed at 233 horsepower; XRT Pro engine not announced
Fuel economy No XRT Pro figure; 38 to 40 mpg listed for all-wheel-drive hybrids
Price and on-sale date Not announced; North America in 2027

Ground Clearance and Recovery Hooks

Side profile of the 2027 Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro on sand dunes, showing its ride height and all-terrain tires
Hyundai says the XRT Pro rides about 8.3 inches off the ground, 1.2 inches higher than a standard Tucson. Photo: Hyundai.

A standard Tucson sits at 7.1 inches. Hyundai says the XRT Pro rides 1.2 inches higher, for about 8.3 inches of clearance. Our guide to how much ground clearance you need explains how clearance works with approach, departure and breakover angles.

The trim also comes with front recovery hooks. Hyundai’s release gives no load rating for them. Until it does, treat them as unrated, and read our breakdown of rated versus unrated recovery points before you attach a strap.

Gear for this trim starts small: a soft shackle, a tire deflator and a compressor. Airing down all-terrain tires often frees a stuck wheel before you need a pull. Then the compressor restores pressure before you reach pavement.

Recovery and tire gear for this trim

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Hyundai calls the approach and departure angles aggressive but gives no degrees. No degrees means no comparison against rival numbers yet.

Smart Terrain Assist and Trail Tech

Hyundai Tucson XRT Pro on a dirt trail above a desert canyon
Smart Terrain Assist is listed as XRT Pro only and North America only. Photo: Hyundai.

Smart Terrain Assist is a first for Hyundai, and the company lists it as North America only and XRT Pro only. The system reads traction and wheel slip in real time. Then it shows a green, orange or red stuck score as visual guidance on terrain difficulty. Hyundai says nothing yet about how early the score warns you.

Target Speed Control also holds a driver-selected speed between roughly 1 and 16 mph, so you steer while the vehicle manages throttle and brakes. Hyundai lists Memory Reversing Assist, which records driving at up to about 19 mph and assists steering while you reverse on narrow roads. An available Ground View Monitor shows the terrain ahead and beneath the vehicle. Hyundai’s release does not say which of these extras come standard on the XRT Pro.

Hybrid Power and Towing

The Tucson hybrid makes 233 horsepower in the US, and Hyundai targets 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Hyundai also targets up to 42 mpg, but the figure applies to a front-wheel-drive hybrid on 17-inch wheels. The spec table lists 38 to 40 mpg for all-wheel-drive hybrids, yet Hyundai publishes no XRT Pro mileage.

Hyundai rates the North American Tucson hybrid to tow up to 3,000 pounds, up 1,000 pounds from the previous model. The company has not said which engines the XRT Pro gets, so treat the rating as a hybrid figure for now. Our look at the Honda Base Station prototype covers a lightweight camper at an unofficial 1,400 to 1,500 pounds, well inside a 3,000-pound rating.

Hyundai also lists HEV Stay Mode, which runs climate control, audio and device charging with the engine off. It would suit camp stops, but Hyundai has not said whether the XRT Pro gets the hybrid.

Tucson XRT Pro vs. Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

The closest rival we have covered is the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Our 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport price article covers the larger, costlier option.

Spec XRT Pro Cherokee Trailhawk Passport TrailSport
Clearance 8.3 inches 9.0 inches 9.65 inches
Low range Not listed 37.5:1 crawl ratio Not listed
Towing Up to 3,000 pounds (hybrid) Up to 3,500 pounds with package Up to 5,000 pounds
Starting price Not announced $44,625 with destination ($42,630 before) $51,590 with destination ($49,995 before)

On hardware, the Jeep leads. It adds a two-speed transfer unit and 0.7 inch more clearance. The Passport TrailSport sits higher still at 9.65 inches and tows up to 5,000 pounds, but it costs more and Honda’s spec sheet lists no low range. Hyundai answers with trail-assist software, and price will decide the rest.

What This Means for You

Wait for a full spec sheet before you buy. You have time, since sales begin in 2027.

Consider the XRT Pro if your trips are forest roads, trailheads and campsites. There, 8.3 inches, all-terrain tires and a stuck score matter more than a crawl ratio. The stuck score is the feature I most want to test, since a clear warning before the tires dig in would help newer drivers.

A stuck score rates the terrain; it does not get you out of it. Traction boards handle soft sand and mud, and a tire repair kit handles a sharp rock on the way home. Both fit a compact SUV’s cargo area.

Trailside gear for a compact SUV

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Final Thoughts

The XRT Pro suits families who want a Tucson ready for the dirt road to the campsite, and a hybrid would suit the job if Hyundai offers one. Extra clearance, all-terrain tires and front hooks add trail hardware.

Hyundai lists no low range, no price and no angles yet. If you want a low gear, the Cherokee Trailhawk is the better match.

I have owned five Jeeps and now drive a 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2, so I like seeing Hyundai take trail hardware seriously. The price and the full spec sheet will decide whether the XRT Pro fits your trips.

FAQ

How much ground clearance does the Tucson XRT Pro have?

About 8.3 inches, which is 1.2 inches above the standard Tucson’s 7.1 inches, based on Hyundai’s published numbers.

Does the Tucson XRT Pro come with all-wheel drive?

Yes. Hyundai says the XRT Pro comes with all-wheel drive and all-terrain tires.

What is Smart Terrain Assist?

It is a first for the brand. The system reads traction and slip, then shows a green, orange or red stuck score. Hyundai lists it as XRT Pro only and North America only.

How much will the Tucson XRT Pro cost?

No pricing is announced for any 2027 Tucson trim. The company says sales start in North America in 2027.

When does the 2027 Tucson XRT Pro go on sale?

Hyundai says North America follows Korea in 2027. It has not named a month.

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