The Hyundai Tucson has been around for quite some time now and this all-new model is nothing short of bold in its design.
The Tucson started life as an incredibly rugged vehicle, one that was far from pretty, and one that was terribly grim to drive and utilitarian inside. Don’t get me wrong, it’s served a purpose. It was best suited to farming life, in my opinion.
It wasn’t until around 2015 when Hyundai released an attractive looking Tucson model that suited the needs of family life, as well as blending into a cityscape now crammed with SUVs.
It was such a great car in fact, that my wife bought one in 2018. Receiving a facelift a year later, the Tucson has remained a firm family favourite across the country.
If you do not require the 7-seat advantage of Hyundai’s Santa Fe, this latest Tucson, priced from £29,110 could well tick all your boxes. Pitched as having “revolutionary design with electrifying performance” – Hyundai claim that this vehicle, packed with state-of-the-art smart tech, offers the most electrified powertrain line-up in this segment.
This new Tucson is bigger and wider than before, combining sharp angles with a muscular stance. One of the most noticeable characteristics is the world’s first parametric hidden lights, embedded in the dark chrome grille at the front of the vehicle; they shine like jewel-like shapes on the outermost sections of the grille.
The rear LED lighting not only runs as a strip light across the full length width of the vehicle, but feature sharp triangular lights cutting down into both the tailgate and the quarter panels.
Inside the cabin is not only spacious, but somewhat sophisticated, too. It is the complete opposite of utilitarian, and crammed full of the latest gadgets. The boot is large enough to fit a double buggy, and with the rear seats folded flat, and IKEA absorbing space is created.
You can enjoy more peace of mind with Tucson, with best-in-class advanced driver assistance systems and a comprehensive safety package as standard.
A total of five trims are available, starting with an ‘SE Connect’ which is priced from £29,110 and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, leather steering wheel and gear knob, dual-zone air conditioned climate control, automatic headlights with dusk sensor, automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor, rear privacy glass, cruise control, drive mode select, and rear camera with rear parking sensors.
Also featured as standard is a pair of 10.25-inch screens, one is the supervision instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, while the other, placed in the centre of the dash is the touchscreen satellite navigation and hub of the infotainment system. Blue link connected car services comes as standard with 5-years subscription, along with Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and Apple Aarplay, DAB radio with 6 speakers, and USB front and rear charging points.
Next in the line-up is an ‘N Line’ priced from £31,510 which adds 19-inch alloy wheels, dark chrome effect front grille, silver front and rear skid plates, body coloured wheel arch inserts, alloy pedals and ambient lighting, heated front seats, suede and leather upholstery, front parking sensors, keyless entry with engine start/stop button, wireless phone charging pad, and rear cross traffic collision warning.
An ‘N Line S’ further adds 3-Zone air-conditioned climate control, panoramic glass electric tilt and slide sunroof, cruise control with smart adaptive speed control with stop and go function, heated steering wheel, rear side window blinds, smart electric tailgate, KRELL 8-speaker premium audio with subwoofer, blind spot collision warning, and forward collision avoidance assist. It is priced from £37,220.
A ‘Premium’ model starts from £30,810 and features 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome effect bumper moulding, cloth upholstery, blind spot collision avoidance assist, and rear cross traffic avoidance.
The Range topping ‘Ultimate’ trim starts from £33,510 and adds 19-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable front seats, ventilated (cooled) front seats, remote folding rear seats, heated outer rear seats, black leather upholstery, 3-Zone air conditioning climate control, panoramic glass electric tilt and slide sunroof, rear side window blinds, smart electric tailgate, blind spot collision avoidance assist, highway drive assist, and rear cross traffic collision avoidance.
Engine wise there are a few options depending on trim, starting with a 1.6-litre T-GDi Smartstream petrol engine, which is available with 150 PS, a six-speed manual transmission two-wheel drive. It is equipped with Hyundai’s unique Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology, which optimises engine performance and fuel efficiency while also being eco-friendly.
Save fuel and reduce emissions with the 48V mild hybrid system. It supports the combustion engine with additional torque during acceleration and when starting from a stop. The 48V Mild Hybrid system is teamed with the 1.6 T-GDi Smartstream petrol engine with 150 PS or the 180 PS 7 speed DCT transmission with 4WD on selected trims.
A full hybrid Tucson is powered by the new 1.6-litre T-GDi Smartstream petrol engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor, with a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery for a combined total output of 230 PS.
Finally, there is a plug-in hybrid which, based on the potent combination of the 1.6-litre T-GDi Smartstream engine paired with a 66.9 kW electric motor, powered by a 13.8 kWh lithium polymer battery, makes for a frugal experience.
Together, the petrol engine and electric motor deliver 265 PS maximum power and 350 Nm maximum torque. The plug-in hybrid comes with terrain mode selector which allows you to adjust the Tucson’s driving style and all-wheel-drive settings to suit road and weather conditions.
Overall the Tucson is a great package, if a little pricey. You could spend north of £40k quite easily. Build quality is second to none and Hyundai offer a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
Fact File for model tested:
Make : Hyundai
Model : Tucson
Trim : Ultimate
Engine : 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid
Gearbox : 6-speed Automatic
Cost : £38,465
Words and Photos: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
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