By Paul Gover.
There is lots more to the new Hyundai Tucson.
The tale of the tape tells the story of a bigger body and more space as the South Korean maker responds to the needs of modern families.
The new and fourth-generation Tucson feels much more like the old seven-seater Santa Fe than the traditional mid-sized SUV in the Hyundai range.
It’s also much edgier in the styling, with creases and folds to add some impact to its typically-SUV body, and the cabin quality looks and feels like a significant advance.
The same is happening, too, to the Tucson’s twin under the skin – the Sportage – which arrives this month at Kia.
But it’s the overall size which pays off for five-seater SUV buyers, as the new Tucson is longer, wider and taller with a bigger boot.
The biggest change is in the back seat, where there is a whopping 80 millimetres of extra legroom. That can only be good new for tweenagers and beyond, as well as adults.
On the financial side, Tucson prices are rising like almost everything in 2021, with the starter car landing at $34,500 with front-wheel drive and a 2-litre engine, while the all-wheel drive diesel flagship hits at $52,000.
The mid-level Tucson with a 1.6-litre petrol turbo motor look like the sweet spot, but it’s important to know that they only have 10,000-kilometre service intervals which – for people who do a fair amount of post-Covid driving – could mean twice-yearly trips to the garage instead of the usual 12-monthly visit.
My Tucson tester is the affordable Elite, with the 2-litre engine and front-wheel drive, which is a $39,000 deal that delivers everything a family really needs. It doesn’t look or feel like a cheapie, although it would be nicer with a proper LED light package for after-dark travel.
The only other real downside is a giant turning circle, far wider than a Volkswagen Tiguan that is also in the garage, although some people also complain about a lack of punch from the non-turbo engine.
For me, the performance is fine and the fuel economy – which becomes more important in the latest unleaded price surge – is good at a claimed 8.1 litres/100km.
Is the Tucson lacking because there is no hybrid choice? Some people will say yes and others will vote no, particularly with Toyota pushing so hard with its RAV4 hybrid – despite a waiting list of more than six months – to spread its green message.
Away from the engine room, the Tucson is quiet and relaxed, with compliant suspension and good brakes.
Comfort is good, particularly for adults in the back seat, and the infotainment system works well with big clear displays.
All-in-all, the Tucson is proof that Hyundai knows its Australian customers and knows what they want. The extra space will be welcome, the styling is crisp enough to prove it’s all-new for 2021, and the mechanical package is good enough – and right enough – for most buyers.
It’s a winner, for sure, as Hyundai looks to close the showroom gap to the Mazda CX-5 – a long-term favourite for me – and eventually build a bigger threat to the RAV4 for mid-sized SUV sales leadership.
THE BASICS
Hyundai Tucson
Price: from $34,500 to $66,500
Engine: 2-litre petrol
Power: 115kW/192Nm
Transmission: 6-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Position: mid-sized family SUV
Plus: more space, more style, more equipment
Minus: turning circle, no hybrid
THE TICK: an easy winner
Score: 8/10
