HYUNDAI TUCSON 2017: The New Popular SUV !

Review:

There’s a sense from the outset that the Tucson has been designed to be painless to live with. From its simple push-to-open fuel filler door to the easily dropped rear seats, every aspect appears pleasingly straightforward.

Hit the road and this theme continues. Urban and country roads are tackled with ease, rarely troubling the driver and passengers. The 2.0-litre diesel engine doesn’t feel particularly muscular, despite producing 275lb ft, but it rarely frustrates, isn’t overly intrusive and grants adequate acceleration. For those seeking a bit more power there is an uprated version of the engine producing 181bhp and comes only with all four wheels driven. 

There are three other engines to choose from all which driven the front wheels - a 130bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol and two variants of Hyundai's efficient 1.7-litre diesel. 

Carrying speed through corners proves no major issue because the Tucson has a keen front end and impressive body control. It rides in a fine, well-damped fashion, but this version was a little harsh over broken roads with its 19in wheels.

There’s little in the way of feedback through the steering, though, and the woollen feel around the dead-ahead is a further negative, but it’s otherwise precise and well-weighted. Braking power is decent and easily modulated with a satisfyingly snatch-free response at lower speeds.

Some may find this Hyundai’s lack of engine and steering verve disappointing but, given the Tucson’s intended market, it’s not a huge strike against it. That said, although there’s not much here for the keener driver, there is pleasure to be found in the way the Tucson smoothly, competently and comfortably gets down the road.

The cabin is hardly inspirational to look at but scores for practicality. There’s stacks of room, plenty of storage space, comfortable seating for five adults and a vast load bay. Equipment levels are impressive helping to justify its price somewhat. As standard, this Premium SE version includes dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation with an 8.0in display, DAB radio, cruise control, heated seats all round, traffic sign recognition and automatic emergency braking.

There are four other trim levels to choose from: S, SE, SE Nav and Premium SE. The entry level spec equips the Tucson with air con, LED day running lights, automatic lights and wipers and heated door mirrors, while the flagship Premium SE adds parking sensors, heated steering wheel, LED headlights and a panoramic sunroof to the Premium trim.

Only dull, hard and easily marked plastics let the cabin down – a shame when you consider the attention to detail elsewhere. A full-size spare wheel is standard, for example, and bag hooks in the load bay reduce the chances of spilling the weekly shop.

This diesel may not measure up on the efficiency front, though. Hyundai claims 54.3mpg, but following our test across a mix of roads, the trip computer reported an average of 38.2mpg. That would still result in a range of more than 520 miles, though, thanks to a 62-litre tank.

Those in the market for a crossover should definitely consider the smart, capable, practical and likeable Tucson – but not in this particular specification.

We’d go for the SE Nav version instead, with the quieter and more efficient 1.7-litre diesel. It doesn’t do away with too many luxuries and, in the real world, doesn’t feel much slower than the 2.0-litre diesel tested here. More pertinent, it’ll cost you some £5000 less. There is also a 182bhp 2.0-litre diesel, 130bhp 1.6-litre petrol and a 175bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine to choose from.