This is the fourth generation of the Hyundai Tucson.
This is the fourth generation of the Hyundai Tucson.
Hyundai’s Tucson has never really been anything to write home about. Until now.
It’s been around for 18 years, and this is the fourth generation of it (although, mysteriously, Hyundai did change its name in the UK for a while). It has never been a car to make a grand entrance wherever it goes. But that means Hyundai has been able to quietly, unassumingly, work at improving it.
The latest one, then, comes with high hopes. It came out in 2020, and, although there’s no all-electric version available, it has just about every version of hybrid you can think of – mild, self-charging and plug-in. You can even opt for a non-hybrid petrol variant if you wish.
I sampled the self-charging one, which is available in various trims.
The SE Connect gets 17-inch alloys, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, dual-zone climate control and rear parking sensors. Meanwhile, the Premium trim gets bigger 18-inch rims, LED headlights, a KRELL premium audio system, front and rear parking sensors and electrically heated front seats.
The N Line will get you a wireless phone charger, keyless entry, and leather/suede seats, while the front seats and steering wheel are heated in the N Line S trim. This grade also adds a smart electric tailgate and a sliding and tilting panoramic electric sunroof.
The Ultimate trim, reviewed here, adds 19-inch wheels and three-zone climate control. Meanwhile, my car also had something called the Tech Pack, which displays a view of your blind spot on the digital instrument display when the indicators are on.
The grades do vary slightly, depending on the level of hybridity you go for. So, that’s something worth bearing in mind.
My self-charging test car came with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, making a total of 230PS. It was also fitted with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The vehicle was a two-wheel-drive model. Mind you, four-wheel-drive versions are available with the higher trims on the mild-hybrid and all plug-in hybrids, the latter producing a mighty 265PS.
In terms of looks, the front of the Tucson is by no means bland. Indeed, the grille looks jewel-encrusted, made up of a lattice of coloured panels.
Cleverly, the headlights are designed the same way, so you’d be forgiven for thinking it didn't have any lights during the day. As a result, the grille appears to stretch from one side to the other. The sides feature aggressively chiselled and angular lines, while the rear has diagonal strips for the taillights, which look a tad Americanised.
It is quite a departure from the run-of-the-mill design the Tucson used to have. But is it any good to drive?
Well, 230PS is a pleasing amount of power for starters, and 0-62mph is dealt with in 6.8-seconds. Pretty good for an SUV. Plenty of grunt means easy overtaking, so driving on motorways is a strong suit in that regard. Mind you, the task isn't helped by the gearbox, which often takes a second or so to work out which gear it needs to be in.
Like most hybrids, you get regenerative braking, which puts some charge back into the battery under deceleration. Unfortunately, many manufacturers haven't perfected this yet, and Hyundai appears to be one of them, as I found it difficult to judge the level of braking required.
Due to the weight of the electric motor and batteries, the ride comfort is compromised somewhat. It isn't uncomfortable, but the suspension is slightly firmed up compared with the non-hybrid petrol.
Handling-wise, it’s not bad, but the 230PS from my hybrid model suggests more of a performance focus. While there are decent grip levels around the corners, body roll is only average. Meanwhile, the steering doesn't weight up sufficiently at higher speeds, making it a bit twitchy.
The Tuscon is almost in the middle of two extremes – firm enough that some rivals are more comfortable but not agile enough to appeal to those who seek an enthusiastic driving experience. Around town, though, it’s very much in its comfort zone.
The petrol engine is quiet at lower speeds and you can drive with it off. The performance when doing this isn't great, but it's okay for moving along in the rush-hour queues of a town centre. However, it doesn't compare with the plug-in hybrid, whose batteries can propel the electric motor up to 38 miles without the combustion engine.
Hyundai claims my test car can do around 50mpg, which is impressive given there’s 230PS underneath it, while it produces 126g/km of CO2.
Hyundai’s biggest strength is its reliability and, as such, it offers a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. This guarantee can be doubled in length for an extra fee, while servicing costs are reasonably low.
Hyundai has been working on its interior design, too. As a result, the Tucson is a breath of fresh air for anyone who remembers its older interiors. A two-tiered dashboard and integrated touchscreen look fabulous.
Hyundai has resisted the urge to cram all the physical buttons into the touchscreen. But this compliment is countered by the fact that all the buttons that remain are touch-sensitive. Therefore, they are difficult to feel on the move, defeating the point.
In addition, while the blind spot view monitor from the Tech Pack is useful, it does mean taking your eyes off the road when changing lanes, which might be a bit hairy at higher speeds.
The driving position isn’t as high as some would hope. However, height adjustment in the seat can offset that somewhat, plus the seats are comfortable and come with an electrically adjustable lumbar support. Visibility isn’t bad, but the front pillars are aggressively angled, and the rear ones are thick.
There is a lot of space in the front, while the rear seats are refreshingly spacious and can be reclined. Indeed, the Tucson is a viable contender if you need to transport three or four adult passengers. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of space for tablets and chargers thanks to generous storage areas.
The boot is 616-litres in my self-charging hybrid, which is slightly less than the non-hybrid. The capacity expands to 1,795-litres with the rear seats folded down. You only get 558-litres in the plug-in hybrid, though. The Ultimate-trimmed car also includes levers for folding the chairs down, making life easier.
The good news keeps coming, as there’s no awkward boot lip. And all Tucsons, except for the plug-in hybrid, get a small amount of storage underneath the boot floor.
Safety is a strong point of Hyundai’s, too. The Tucson got a five-star rating in 2021 from Euro NCAP, scoring 86 per cent for adults, 87 per cent for children and 70 per cent for safety assists.
You get driver attention alert, speed limit recognition and automatic emergency braking. What’s more, the Premium trim and above include rear cross-traffic alert and the blind-spot system. Meanwhile, the Ultimate grade gets highway drive assist, which effectively steers the car for you on faster roads.
Overall, the Tucson is a worthy contender, with excellent performance and superb practicality.
Moreover, the Tucson's interior is the best yet from Hyundai, looking stylish, well built and spacious, making it relaxing to drive long distances.
| Hyundai Tucson 1.6-litre T-GDi 230PS Hybrid (6-Speed Auto as tested): | |
|---|---|
| Max speed | 120 mph |
| Acceleration | 0-62mph in 6.8 secs |
| Combined mpg | 50.1 mpg (WLTP) |
| Engine layout | 1993cc four-cylinder petrol (with mild hybrid technology) |
| Max power | 230 PS |
| CO2 emissions | 126 g/km |
| Price | £37,810 |
