26 Hyundai TUCSON

Hyundai's fourth generation Tucson mid-sized combustion SUV continues to be a strong seller for the brand. Jonathan Crouch looks at the improved version of this model.

Ten Second Review

Hyundai has made good sales headway in the mid-sized SUV segment with this fourth generation version of their stylish Tucson, a sharp-suited family mid-sized SUV aimed at the Qashqai-class. We're told it'll 'change the way you drive': this lightly improved version of this design certainly intends to promote this Korean brand's fortunes in this sector.

Background

In an era where nearly half of all European car buyers are looking at something from the mid-sized SUV/Crossover class, mainstream brands need to take this segment very seriously. Hyundai's been doing just that with this car, the Tucson, with the current fourth generation NX4-series model dating back to 2020, with a mid-term update in 2024 and a further set of line-up enhancements introduced in Spring 2026 to create the model we're going to look at here, The Korean maker has been offering Crossovers in the mid-sized 'Qashqai'-class SUV 'C'-segment since the first generation JM-series Tucson sold between 2004 and 2009. That contender was replaced by a far more competitive LM-series model, which the brand chose to badge 'ix35' for Europe and which campaigned until the MK3 TL-series design made its debut in 2015, before being updated three years later. Very little was carried over from that MK3 model to this fourth generation one. Can this current, now much-improved car offer a genuine alternative to the established players in this sector? Time to find out.

Driving Experience

There are no engineering or handling changes to this lightly improved MK4 Tucson. As before, all versions of this model use some sort of 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine. In the base variant, this features in conventional form with 150PS and ordinary 6-speed manual transmission. Your dealer will urge you though, to find the small extra premium necessary to get this same 150PS engine with the brand's 48V mild hybrid tech and a 7DCT auto gearbox. Both these variants are front-driven. The front-driven 48V mild hybrid Tucson model accounts for most sales but it isn't a particularly frugal choice, mainly because (as usual with MHEVs) its tiny battery isn't big enough to ever run the car independently on electric power. If you want the kind of more frugal Tucson that can do that, then your starting point will be the HEV variant, also front-driven. This full-Hybrid model offers a self-charging petrol/electric engine working with a 6-speed auto gearbox and mated to a 60PS electric motor powered by a 1.49kWh battery, which provides sufficient extra urge to up the combined power output to 239PS. Enough to improve the 62mph sprint stat from around 9.5s to 8.2s, though top speed falls slightly to 116mph. Although the battery on offer in a Tucson HEV still isn't very big, it's very good at constantly replenishing itself with regenerative energy, so that much of the time in town travel, you'll be able to cruise through the urban sprawl in a dignified silence. At the top of the line-up is the Plug-in Hybrid powertrain, which comes in front-driven and AWD forms and offers 252PS and 367Nm of torque. that means 0-62mp in around 8s en route to 116mph. More importantly, there's up to 43.5 miles of EV range. Whatever your choice of Tucson, you'll find body roll well controlled and refinement quite impressive - a boon on the kind of long journeys over which you'll appreciate the standard Highway Drive Assist set-up that all automatic Tucsons feature. Braked towing weight falls from 1,650kg to 1,510kg if you choose the HEV Hybrid. It's just 1,210kg with the PHEV.

Design and Build

The updates to this fourth generation NX4-series Tucson model are uber-subtle. Look closely and you might notice the thinner, more angular lines of the radiator grille and the revised front bumper. As before, the front end styling is dominated by the brand's 'Parametric Jewel' daytime running lights borrowed from the company's previous Vision T concept, which represented what Hyundai has called 'a design revolution'. The 'jewel-like' running lights are integrated into the sides of the 3D grille and can't be distinguished from it when switched off. As before, this MK4 model is one of the larger mid-sized SUV segment models, at 4.5-metres long. And sits on big wheels of between 17 to 19-inches in size. Inside up-front, the changes to this facelifted model are much more noticeable. Borrowing from the cabin design theme seen in the company's latest EVs, the twin screens are now 12.3-inches in size (up from 10.25-inches before). One is for the instrument cluster; the other is for the centre stack and incorporates Hyundai's latest Bluelink telematics. The redesigned dashboard has a new horizontal crash pad design supposed to create a sense of openness. Physical heating and ventilation controls and a redesigned centre console with buttons for regularly used functions feature on the new centre console, whilst the automatic and hybrid powertrains feature a wireless charging pad housed in the centre armrest. As before, there's quite a spacious back seat - a 10mm longer wheelbase increase for the original version of this MK4 model improved that and added 26mm more legroom. And the boot offers up to 620-litres of space in front-driven models (though that falls to 616-litres in the HEV variant and to 556-litres in the PHEV).

Market and Model

There are five trim levels - 'Element', 'Black Line', N Line Edition', 'N Line S' and 'Ultimate' - and prices start at around £31,000. Most Tucsons will be sold in the £35,000-£40,000 bracket that's becoming common for electrified crossovers in the mid-sized family SUV segment. For the HEV Hybrid, prices start from just under £35,000. All variants are well equipped. Base 'Element' trim includes black roof rails, dual-zone climate control, cloth interior upholstery, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a Smart Key FOB with engine start button, 17-inch alloy wheels, E-Call, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Mid-level 'Black Line' spec adds 19-inch alloy wheels with satin grey detailing, a satin grey Hyundai logo in the front grille, black door mirrors, black window surrounds, rear privacy glass, LED rear combination lamps, a 12.3-inch TFT digital driver display, metal door tread plates, cloth and leather upholstery, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. In addition to the features listed above, the plusher 'N-Line Edition' includes N-Line styling, body-coloured wheel arches, a Krell Premium audio system, 3-zone climate control, heated rear seats, a smart power tailgate, head-up display, Matrix LED headlamps, remote folding rear seats and Highway Drive Assist.

Cost of Ownership

By offering the broadest range of electrified powertrains in the mid-sized SUV segment, this Korean brand aims to take a lead in terms of drivetrain efficiency in this class, with mainstream sales based around mild hybrid and full-Hybrid tech. Let's get to the WLTP figures - based around entry 'Element' trim. The conventional manual gearbox version of the company's 1.6 T-GDI Smartstream engine manages 39.8mpg on the combined cycle and puts out 161g/km of CO2, but you can improve that marginally to 40.9mpg and 157g/km if you get this powerplant with the brand's 48V mild hybrid tech. The full-Hybrid model improves that showing to 50.4mpg and 126g/km. For the PHEV, the figures are 45.6mpg and 22g/km. In all its forms, this 1.6-litre powerplant has been optimised for efficiency and gets Hyundai's Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology. CVVD optimises engine performance and fuel efficiency while also being eco-friendly. The valve control technology regulates the duration of the valve opening and closing, according to driving conditions. This is the only system that can change the duration of valve opening during driving. Where fitted at the foot of the line-up, the company's iMT intelligent manual transmission also helps efficiency by working purely electronically, de-coupling the engine from the transmission after the driver releases the accelerator while driving at a constant speed, allowing the car to enter into a coasting mode, which obviously improves overall fuel efficiency. And as usual with Hyundai, with all Tucsons, you get one of the best customer assurance plans in the industry. The Five Year Triple Care warranty includes five years of mechanical cover with no mileage limit, annual vehicle health checks and roadside assistance.

Summary

Hyundai is much more than just a value volume brand these days - and the improved version of this fourth generation Tucson provides ample proof of that. It's a family SUV you'd still choose for its looks, secure in the knowledge that in terms of practicality, safety and connectivity, it's also cutting-edge. We're not as convinced that the Korean maker has done as much as it could have to improve its engine electrification options. And as before, those looking for a truly involving drive might have reason to pause for thought before purchase. If you can live with those caveats though, there's still lots to like here. If you didn't want a Tucson previously, there's not much more reason to choose one now. But if you like the way it looks, this update could tip you Hyundai's way, secure in the knowledge that all kinds of serious family expeditions - be they to the shopping mall, the in-laws or Inverness - will be well within this car's remit. Expect it to continue to establish Hyundai in this segment.