Hyundai Motor America has confirmed that the 2027 Tucson SUV will become the initial model in the United States to include the new Pleos Connect infotainment system. According to the automaker, this system is intended to provide a more instinctive, secure, and tailored driving experience.
Design and Core Capabilities of Pleos Connect
The Pleos Connect system boasts a user-friendly layout alongside advanced navigation capabilities. This infotainment platform incorporates Hyundai’s innovative Gleo AI in-vehicle assistant and an open app ecosystem that enables users to install programs directly into their cars. The architecture is founded on three main pillars: ease of use, security, and openness. It will be accessible in American Hyundai models equipped with 12.9-inch or 17-inch touchscreens.
This platform transitions Hyundai from its older infotainment design to an operating system built to handle native applications, over-the-air software patches, and connected services. The company stated that the software was created through extensive study of user experience and data analysis to streamline vehicle interaction. The customizable, large display enables navigation through Here Maps and Google Places, utilizing live mapping and routing information.
In the U.S., the preloaded map data on the platform aids navigation in regions with spotty connectivity. The navigation engine works in both portrait and environment modes, permitting the use of compatible applications side-by-side on the same screen. Hyundai designers added floating information cards to provide drivers with route details without obstructing the map. Pleos Connect also connects wirelessly to smartphones for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, giving access to phone-based apps via the screen. The interface also utilizes Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 6.
Functionality of the Gleo AI Assistant
The Gleo AI in-vehicle assistant serves as a standout component of the Pleos Connect suite. Powered by artificial intelligence, this tool relies on a large language model rather than just predefined voice commands. It is engineered to grasp conversational, natural-language requests and decipher user intent. Additionally, it can manage and execute multi-step instructions.
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Drivers can utilize the Gleo AI to find destinations and request turn-by-turn directions through dialogue. The system can understand the context of a query to assist with selecting a destination and guiding the driver. Gleo AI can also retrieve vehicle-specific data to help drivers operate features like climate control or access the owner’s manual via voice commands.
The evolution of the system marks a change in how customers interact with their cars, according to Eric Wood, SVP of product experience at Hyundai’s software arm 42dot. “Rather than viewing the vehicle as a product that is complete at delivery, we see it as a platform that can adapt, improve and become more personalized over time,” said Wood. Consequently, the infotainment experience may become more reactive to a driver’s habits and preferences, potentially lessening the need for manual adjustments to comfort or entertainment settings.
App Market and Future Roadmap
The integrated Pleos App Market delivers native, vehicle-optimized applications directly to the infotainment screen. Installed programs run on the Android Automotive OS platform, supporting a growing catalog of entertainment, lifestyle, productivity, mobility, and vehicle-related services. The manufacturer is creating an application programming interface (API) for developers to build third-party applications for Pleos Connect vehicles. These apps will undergo rigorous cybersecurity checks and verification before release. Hyundai intends to gather and analyze data from its global fleet of future vehicles equipped with this platform and Gleo AI to provide continuous over-the-air upgrades and fresh infotainment features.
Hyundai expects to introduce Pleos Connect in roughly 20 million cars by 2030. The Tucson is currently the best-selling vehicle for the company in the U.S. The automaker noted that rolling out Pleos Connect in the new Tucson is a key milestone in its shift toward software-defined vehicles. During the 2026 CEO Investor Day presentation in August, Hyundai Motor Group announced it is constructing a “data flywheel” to strengthen its software-defined vehicle capabilities.