Hyundai Tucson In-Depth Review 2021 - Best Hybrid Family SUV?

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Hyundai are aiming high 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': it should certainly change this Korean brand's fortunes in this sector.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:32 Background
03:05 Driving Experience
13:58 Design & Build
30:07 Market & Model Range
50:53 Cost of Ownership
01:02:57 Summary

Background

In an era where nearly a quarter of all European car buyers are looking at something from the SUV Crossover class, mainstream brands need to take this segment very seriously. Hyundai's doing just that with this car, the Tucson, this being the fourth generation 'NX4'-series model.

Hyundai 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's been carried over from that MK3 model to this fourth generation one. Can this latest car offer a genuine alternative to the established players in this sector? Time to find out.

Driving Experience

All Tucsons now use some sort of 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine. In the base model, 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 choice of either advanced 6iMT manual transmission or a 7DCT auto gearbox. Both these variants are fromt driven; you can have 4WD (and standard 7DCT auto transmission) if you get the 1.6 T-GDi mild hybrid engine in 180PS form.

If you want a stronger dose of electrification in your Tucson, there are two full-fat Hybrid options, both of which comes as standard with a 6-speed DCT auto gearbox. The first is a self-charging full-Hybrid variant, which is rear-driven and which uses that 1.6 T-GDi engine in 230PS form. Alternatively, you could go for the top Plug-in Hybrid variant, which is 4-Wheel-driven and mates that 1.6 T-GDi engine to a 66.9kW electric motor for a total output of 265PS, yet can offer an all-electric driving range when fully charged of around 38 miles.

Four-wheel drive models get a terrain control switch for optimal driving off-road, but obviously on-tarmac dynamics have been prioritised here, though as with the previous model, don't expect particularly involving handling. Customers are being offered a couple of suspension set-ups, with electronically-controlled adaptive dampers optional on high spec variants. These have two profiles, a softer setup for when the car is in its 'Normal' or 'Eco' drive modes. And a firmer one for when the 'Sport' mode is selected, which also firms up the steering.

Design and Build

Looks different doesn't it? This fourth generation 'NX4'-series model, based on the previous Vision T concept, represents what Hyundai calls 'a design revolution'. Even Hyundai's European exterior Design Chief Eduardo Ramires admits it's 'quite brave'. 'We felt free to innovate' he says, hence the bold grille with its 'Parametric Hidden Lights'. This designates the way that the LED headlamps and the 'jewel-like' running lights are integrated into the sides of the 3D grille and can't be distinguished from it when switched off. This latest model is bigger too, at 4.5-metres long being 20mm longer than its predecessor; it's 15mm wider too.

Inside up-front, to suit the current trend, most of the physical controls have been removed in favour of two screens, both 10.25-inches in size. One is for the instrument cluster; the other is for the centre stack and incorporates Hyundai's latest Bluelink telematics. A 10mm longer wheelbase increase has slightly improved rear seat space - there's 26mm more legroom.

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