Hyundai Tucson: Getting all grown up, aiming for premium

By Miles Downard

What is it?

Somewhat confusingly this is the replacement for the Hyundai ix35, which was in itself a replacement for the Tuscon. So we’ve come full circle on the name, but more importantly Hyundai has done more than just end up in the same place they were with the old Tucson. There are two petrol engines, both with the option of manual or automatic gearboxes (dual clutch for the range topping 1.6 turbo) and optional all-wheel drive.

On the outside

The Tucson has grown a little over the ix35 and adopts the ‘family’ styling of the new Santa Fe. It’s nice and clean looking, albeit a little bland. Other than the Hyundai-esque grille you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for any number of other crossover SUVs on sale today. That said I approve of the move away from the bubble-shaped ix35.

On the inside

Again very clean and slick, no clutter, just the things you need. Quality is top notch and the switch gear feels more like the stuff you’d find in premium brand cars. Once again though it’s all a bit bland looking. There’s more space inside than the old ix35 and at 513-to-1,503 litres the boot is bigger than its arch rival’s, the Nissan Qashqai. Mostly good then; at the very least they’re good points with which salesman can impress potential customers.

Not enough space? Try this: VIDEO: Hyundai H1 – for overachievers in the bedroom

Behind the wheel

I had the new edition to the engine lineup, the 1.6 litre turbo-charged unit. The motor isn’t new to Hyundai though, appearing in the likes of the Veloster Turbo. With a 6 speed manual box it’s a pleasant enough drive and fairly brisk if you wring its neck. If you don’t then it can be fairly frugal. Interestingly Hyundai says it put a lot of effort into chassis design to improve high speed cornering and overall stability and in fact it is rather good as a result.

It is however refinement that Hyundai was particularly after in the Tucson and accordingly it really is a smooth and quiet operator, isolating those inside from everything else outside at least as well any rival in the segment.

Pricing

At a smidge under R440,000 for the 1.6 turbo with the manual ‘box and front wheel drive it’s a fair whack more expensive than a Nissan Qashqai. R50,000 of a whack in fact.

Verdict

Overall a perfectly nice car. Why it is R50,000 more than the Nissan I can’t quite work out. Hyundai will likely say its more refined and premium feeling inside. Perhaps, but not enough to swing R50k in this segment. Accordingly I’m not sure why anyone would buy one. But if you’re someone who prefers Korean to Japanese then you can’t go wrong with the new Tucson.

Pricing: R439,900
Engine: 1591cc four cylinder turbo charged petrol
Power (kW): 130
Torque (Nm): 265
Consumption (l/100km): 8.3
Service: 5 year/90,000km service plan
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