The Hyundai Tucson is a mid-sized SUV that faces stiff competition from the likes of Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail, and the Toyota RAV4 – but it packs quite a punch in terms of performance and style.
It comes with AWD and FWD options. The FWD trim runs on 2.0 litre petrol while the AWD trim utilizes a powerful 1.6 turbo-petrol engine with dual-clutch auto. You can also opt for the superior 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine with 8-speed automatic – worth the extra price tag if you can stretch the budget.
All the trims are fairly well equipped and a quick glance at the Tucson shows a well chiselled body with stylish options.
Performance and Engine
The Tucson provides plenty of horsepower for both city driving and highway passing, but you’ll crave for more power if you want to haul stuff. You could opt for the more powerful hybrid and plug-in hybrid models that feel noticeably quicker but don’t expect them to outperform the Toyota RAV4 Prime. Although the Tucson is not a sports car (far from its), the handling feels superior, its steering is agreeable, and the ride feels reasonable good.
It is stable on motorways, but can feel a bit heavy on roundabouts. The Tucson is by no means agile but it gets the job done.
You can also switch between Mud, Sand, and Snow terrain modes – in order to adapt to the type of terrain you’re driving at.
Battery Life of the Plug-in Hybrid Model
The plug-in hybrid model comes with a 13.8 kWh battery pack that can offer a range of 32 miles on electricity alone. You can fully charge the battery in about 2 hours when the Tucson is connected to a level 2 charging station.
Interior and Comfort Levels
The Tucson comes with a modern yet simple dashboard design that features a push button shifter digital gauge display, touch sensitive control panel for climate control, and infotainment.
There is plenty of space in the rear for both adults and cargo, combining practicality and passenger comfort.
More trims come with a standard 8.8 inch touchscreen integrated with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. You can opt for the 10-inch screen with built-in navigation. Other features may be offered such as SiriusXM satellite radio, Bose stereo system, and Wi-Fi hotspot.
Other high tech options include a digital key smartphone app that can provide lock and unlock features for remote operation of the Tucson.
Safety Features
The Tucson comes with a host of driver assistance features, many of which will be available across all trims. It has a 5 star ANCAP safety rating out of 5 – which makes it better than the competition.
Some of the safety features include blind-spot collision warning, forward collision-avoidance warning, and lane keeping assist.
The blind spot monitoring is a plus because it lets you keep your eyes closer to the road while still being able to watch for rogue vehicles that may be passing by.
Verdict
We love the way the Tucson looks and it comes with several high-end features in the tech department as discussed above. It feels nimble, sharp, and makes the daily commute more exciting. Hyundai Tucson is a great option if you’re just getting started in the compact SUV market.
