Hyundai Tucson, The Handsome Of The Class

In 2015, the Hyundai Tucson replaced the ix35, rescuing its original name and that it should never have lost. Rectifying is wise, and Hyundai did it hand in hand with a model that was not going to disappoint.

We are in front of a 4.47 meter long vehicle. That is why we classify it within compact SUVs, where it will have to compete with many big shots, such as the Nissan Qashqai or the Renault Kadjar. There is no doubt that taking market share in this segment is difficult, but Hyundai knows what the customer likes; impressive looks, functionality, a compact size and an economical price.

Design

We start with one of the strengths of this Hyundai Tucson:

At the front it is a very slick car, with a tall and wide nose adorned with a large chrome grille. The very marked wheel arches have also been designed in order to provide robustness to the whole, with which it achieves an imposing result. The headlamps are exceptionally long, reaching more than half the length of the nose.

At the rear,  the same dynamic follows: appearing to be bigger and more robust than it really is. Equipped with long and narrow pilots in a horizontal position, it gives a very successful feeling of width. Like the headlights, they also reach deep into the side of the vehicle, giving a pleasant sense of fluidity.

The aesthetic set that has been achieved with the Hyundai Tucson seems to us a success. Although aesthetics always depend on the eyes with which you look at it, there is no doubt that, since its launch, this car has been very popular with the majority of the public.

Inside

There are many vehicles that sacrifice part of their habitability to show off a striking aesthetic. This does not happen to our protagonist, who more than meets the demands of comfort if we compare him with his direct competitors, let’s see it in parts:

• Cockpit : It has a traditional but modern dashboard. Chaired by a large-format touch screen from where we can manage most of the vehicle’s functions. The air conditioning controls occupy a lower position and with physical buttons, a success that makes us have to divert our eyes less from the asphalt.

• Front seats: the space in these seats is very good and we can get comfortable with ease. Among other things, thanks to the extensive settings, both of the seats and the steering wheel. The feeling of width is remarkable and the central armrest will be useful for both seats because of its width.

• Rear seats : enjoys more space than most of its rivals (the Nissan Qashqai or Ford Kuga are less spacious). The distance for the legs is good even if we have a tall person in front of us. The width at shoulder height is correct, although fair for three adults. It is still the same problem that all your competitors have. In addition, it has an air outlet and flow adjustment in these seats, something to be appreciated on summer trips.

• Trunk : with 513 liters, it will cover the needs of a family without problems. Rivals like the Ford Kuga or the Qashqai have less capacity, with 456 and 430 liters respectively.

Dynamic

The Hyundai Tucson has improved over its predecessor, the ix35 : now it rocks less and is better soundproofed. Suspension supports the body better and makes driving more enjoyable, but it falls short of the level of dynamism of the Mazda CX-5 or Seat Ateca.

The highway is your preferred workplace, where you get comfort and silence worthy of a higher-end vehicle. On mountain roads, although it defends itself, it handles more clumsily, with slightly slow changes of support. The Ford Kuga, for example, is better in this section.

The steering is less geared than before and the feel of the change has been improved. Now the tours are shorter and more precise, achieving a greater sense of control. Outside the asphalt, we can only go onto tracks in good condition, where we will enjoy the generous ground clearance. Tires, designed for asphalt, suffer more than desired if the road surface is too rough.

Engines

It has a range of engines similar to its competitors, with a fairly successful staging of power:

• Gasoline : we have two possibilities, both animated by a 1.6-liter block. The basic is atmospheric and has 132 hp of power, with it, the Hyundai Tucson accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 11.5 seconds. We can only opt for front-wheel drive with this engine. The second option has the same block but with turbocharger, which gives it 177 HP of power; With it, he manages to do 0 to 100 km / h in 9.1 seconds, a very good mark and always accompanied by 4 × 4 traction.

• Diesel : as the base engine, it has a 1.7-liter 115 hp, something fair for the car’s dimensions, and the 13.7 seconds it takes to go from 0 to 100 km / h demonstrate this. Also, there is another version of this 1.7-liter but with 141 hp, although this option is only available with automatic transmission. The version most in demand, and the most balanced for this Tucson is the 2-liter diesel that delivers 136 hp. Available with 2 or 4-wheel drive, which manages to do 0 to 100 km / h in 10.6 seconds, a very good mark. We also have a 184 hp engine for those looking for something more performance, with the same 2.0-liter block.

Hyundai Tucson prices

Starting from € 23,915 for the 132 hp 1.6 GDI with Essence trim to € 42,845 for the 184 hp 4 × 4 2.0 CRDI with Style trim and automatic. It is a very wide price range, in the middle of the segment, offering possibilities for almost all needs.

conclusion

We do not find anyone who does not like this Hyundai Tucson, aesthetically it has no drawbacks and complies with a note in all sections. Perhaps, it does not have as good consumption records as a Seat Ateca or a Tiguan. Even so, we are facing a very round car that will not disappoint whoever decides for it. We liked it a lot.