Overview
A MID-LIFE make-over to Hyundai’s mid-size Tucson SUV ushers in a hybrid powertrain possibility furthering Hyundai’s electrification program and inserting the South Korean producer in a greater place concerning the forthcoming NVES emissions laws.
It additionally offers Hyundai a stronger contender within the red-hot medium SUV section in opposition to the likes of RAV4 Hybrid and different effectivity optimised choices just like the Nissan X-Path e-Energy, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and naturally Kia’s Sportage Hybrid… out there in front-wheel drive solely.
The entry worth for a hybrid powered Tucson is $45,100 for the entrance wheel drive base mannequin ranging as much as $61,100 for the AWD Premium N-Line all excluding on street prices. All Tucson costs have elevated considerably with this refresh.
Pushed right here have been the top-of-the-line Premium AWD Hybrid N-Line and the identical automobile with FWD.
Although the identical outwardly with minor styling tweaks, the “new” Tucson is a distinct beast beneath with diesel dropped from the line-up to get replaced by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol/electrical hybrid four-cylinder unit.
Different variants use solely the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol with out electrical help or an Atkinson Cycle 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder.
The Hybrid is actually the identical powertrain as utilized in a number of Hyundai merchandise (and Kia) that includes an electrical traction motor built-in into the transmission driving both the entrance axle or entrance and rear axles mannequin dependent.
Most energy is 172kW with 367Nm of torque distributed via a standard six-speed automated transmission.
An N-Line possibility is offered throughout the vary for a sharper sporty physique look with totally different wheels, twin exhaust suggestions and inside gear upgrades.
Tucson’s inside is now targeted on a two-screen sprint and revised “floating” centre console with modifications to fascia, colors, supplies and commonplace gear upgrades to now embrace upgraded infotainment, expanded related automobile companies together with OTA updates via Hyundai Bluelink and the most recent SmartSense ADAS and security set-up.
The improved security bundle now consists of the addition of ahead and reverse parking distance warning, crosswind stability management, clever pace restrict help, excessive beam help, freeway driving help, ahead collision avoidance help, and navigation-based sensible cruise management.
Hyundai has elevated Tucson commonplace gear with all variants that includes auto home windows up and down, full LED inside lighting, LED entrance and rear mixture lights, head-up show, sensible key with push begin, 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 12.3-inch multimedia screens, 18-inch alloys, dual-zone local weather management, and a brand new column-mounted transmission selector.
Tucson Hybrid in each FWD and AWD is rated at a mixed 5.3 litres per 100km on 91RON unleaded petrol.
And solely on hybrid variants is what Hyundai calls E-Movement Drive that ropes in a bunch of so-called “E” techniques to minimise pitching over pace bumps and management the motor for smoother acceleration.
Extra “E” digital modulators management motor torque to optimise traction throughout corning, scale back slip and enhance steering responsiveness and the ICE engine and electrical motor have unified management for torque vectoring to enhance dealing with.
The paddle shift on Tucson Hybrid controls regenerative braking in addition to gear choice with 4 vitality recuperation ranges out there with the AWD Hybrid fashions providing Terrain mode with Snow, Mud and Sand settings.
Not forgetting “child mode” for a smoother software of brakes when parking and smoother accelerating…
Towing capability for the AWD Hybrid is 1900kg with all of the others rated at 1650kg (braked).
Driving Impressions
We had already skilled the hybrid powertrain as fitted to those two automobiles within the new Hyundai Kona. It’s within the new Santa Fe too, and can presumably filter via different Hyundai merchandise.
Kia additionally makes use of the unit in numerous automobiles the place we discovered it to be OK, however not sensible as gas consumption is greater than anticipated and efficiency is appropriate.
The identical factor applies right here. Neither the AWD nor the FWD approached the claimed 5.3L/100km declare reaching 6.1 and 6.6 for the FWD and AWD Tucson respectively… and totally on an informal nation drive.
Which begs the query: Would you go for the Hybrid or the 1.6-litre Turbo, and pocket the distinction?
It’s a HEV so plugging it in will not be vital nor do consumers must pay a premium for having that out there because the Tucson Hybrid replenishes its small battery via braking and deceleration providing multi-mode one pedal drive into the discount.
It has good efficiency as soon as the turbo spools up with the electrical drive however isn’t as instantaneous as anticipated which means you will have wait a contact when overtaking on a rustic street for instance.
Off-the-line acceleration is analogous, presumably on account of automobile calibration and all these “E” modes combining to make the Tucson, above all else a “easy operator”.
And it’s nearly useless easy in operation, the powertrain flowing properly aided by the slick six-speed auto transmission.
On our drive we couldn’t decide a lot distinction between the AWD and the FWD fashions in drive really feel and would plump for the “frontie” because it feels a bit extra nimble and extra responsive attributable to much less weight.
From a dynamic perspective, Hyundai now calibrates its automobiles ex-factory having canned the native calibration program and whereas the Tucson feels fairly good to drive in trip and dealing with phrases, it lacks the finesse of a domestically fettled mannequin that takes under consideration all of the driving nuances encountered throughout this nation.
The Tucson has what we’d charge a supple semi-sporty really feel to its trip, comparatively sharp steering responses that produces minimal deflection over bumpy roads, sturdy brakes and feels stable on the street and when cornering.
After complaints, Hyundai has made the pesky pace monitor system that offers an interminable commentary in your driving, mutable via a favourites button. We’d wish to see that prolonged to cowl any ADAS perform the motive force isn’t snug with.
The positioning of the gear selector wand below the blinker stalk near the best paddle shift is problematic however all the pieces else within the cabin is simple to function and simple on the attention in a minimalist idiom.
Larger than look might recommend, Tucson is a five-seater with beneficiant room for all occupants and an honest load area down the again.
The highest-of-the-range variants pushed have been loaded with luxurious and tech’ and takes time to arrange the best way you may want. They’ve premium audio, multi-outlet local weather management, funky inside (ambient) lights, a mix of upholsteries, and are a pleasing place by which to journey.
The tweaked look is troublesome to identify, however the mannequin isn’t onerous on the attention by any stretch.
Is it adequate to problem the dominant Toyota RAV4 that’s been round for yonks and is now out there solely as a hybrid?
Perhaps, perhaps not. However in providing three powertrain selections over Toyota’s one the Tucson may simply have an ace up its sleeve. We’ll observe the gross sales outcomes with curiosity.
