Hyundai sure has come a long way in Australia. Their climb up the sales charts has been interesting to watch. In fact, to make it into the top five without a ute is remarkable given current market trends.
Cheap and cheerful are no longer accurate descriptors of the brand. Improved design and build quality have delivered an impressive portfolio and a competitive presence in most segments of the passenger car market. Cleverly, Hyundai has achieved this while maintaining a very strong value for money proposition across the fleet.
This brings us to the Tucson. The model has been on sale for almost a year. Its arrival in Australia was a timely one, it gave Hyundai a genuine competitor in the hotly contested medium SUV segment. On test here is the 2016 Active X variant which represents the value pick of the Tucson lineup, with a price of $32,990.
Currently, Hyundai has a very stylish range. From their small hatchbacks to large SUVs, the line-up is full of modern looking cars. They look great, and the Tucson is no exception. Its exterior is a bold design with sharp lines and can easily go toe to toe with any car in the category.
Something immediately noticeable on the exterior, especially for hobbyist detailers anyway, is the rear bumper lip. It’s on an angle, this allows water to drain away. A clever idea and one that should be widely adopted. It’s the small details like this that make the exterior stand out.
It’s difficult to find any flaws with the exterior. The only criticism is the radio antenna. A shark fin would have added to the modern look and would fit better with the overall exterior styling.
Having spent some time in the current model Santa Fe, there was an air of expectation that the Tucson would also deliver a quality driving experience.
The Active X is powered by a 2.0L petrol engine delivering 121kW of power and 203Nm of torque, to the front wheels. It’s partnered with a 6-speed automatic transmission that handles the job easily. The engine and gearbox do a great job around town. It’s a sprightly engine and the transmission is smooth when pressed for a quick take off or lane change manoeuvre.
Handling is also impressive for this type of vehicle. The car was always surefooted when given a bit of a boot full, even in the corners. This might be a meaningless point, it’s unlikely a car in this segment is going to be driven aggressively, it’s not a sports car. When driven calmly, it provides an extremely comfortable ride in all situations.
Hyundai is one brand that does extensive local tuning work. The suspension and steering were comprehensively tested on local roads. This is a process well worth undertaking and the evidence is found in the driving experience. The Tucson sets a high standard for ride, handling and steering. A standard most of its competitors can’t match.
On test, the cabin proved to be a quiet place to sit. The noise suppression is very well done, wind noise and tyre roar are minimal. When riding on the 18" alloy wheels which come standard, the overall level of refinement is excellent.
Fuel consumption during this review averaged 8.1L/100km. The majority of driving was done in town, no doubt, with a higher proportion of highway driving, the figure would have been lower. This result stacks up well against the official combined figure of 7.9L/100km.
Where the car is off the pace is in the interior. Space and material quality are the biggest disappointments when compared to its rivals. Many potential buyers would surely cross shop the Tucson against the ever popular Mazda CX-5.
Having put 50,000km on a CX-5 over the last few years, it has a distinct advantage when it comes to interior space. Despite many reports claiming the Hyundai uses interior space more effectively, the truth is, it doesn’t. The Tucson is on a slightly shorter wheelbase, and as such, rear seat space and comfort are not as good.
The seating position is low for this style of car. It’s still comfortable, but legs don’t drop as much as they traditionally would in an SUV. This is the same in the back seat. The low seating position means knees are up high. This isn’t comfortable for long journeys. Higher seating positions would have been a solution to improve cabin comfort.
The leather seats are a welcome inclusion in a mid-range model. The quality of the leather is surprisingly good for a car in this price bracket. The driver’s seat comes standard with electrically adjusted lumbar support.
Interior materials are another area that lets the overall package down. They look and feel cheap. Hard plastics are found on most surfaces in the cabin, this reduces the overall presentation of what is a very smart looking design.
The positioning of controls are well thought out and simple to operate. The only noticeable omission is push button start. Having been fortunate enough to use a keyless start system for a number of years, it’s annoying to go back to the traditional key and ignition barrel in a daily driver. I know, I know, first world problems.
The infotainment system is a highlight in the Active X, mainly as a result of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto gives the Tucson a point of difference against the competition. This technology will no doubt filter its way through the car industry and provide a standardised infotainment platform. This is a good thing, CarPlay and Android Auto should also be considered safety features, not just convenience features. With voice activation, the driver’s eyes should have no need to come off the road.
Smartphone mirroring provided by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes the in-house infotainment software somewhat redundant and hard to get excited about. The convenience and simplicity offered by these options make them difficult to ignore.
The Tucson has plenty of safety credentials to boast about, including 6 airbags, Traction Control (TCS), Anti-lock Braking (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BAS), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Downhill Brake Control (DBC), Hill–start Assist Control (HAC).
The Active X also gets a standard rear view camera with dynamic guide lines, automatic dusk sensing headlamps and ISOFIX points in the rear outbound seats.
When it comes to ownership costs, not many brands get close to Hyundai. The service intervals are conveniently set at a 12 months/15,000km. The first three services are priced at $269 as part of Hyundai’s Lifetime Service Care Program. Transparent service costs are published on Hyundai’s website and service costs remain very competitive as the car racks up the kilometres. The Tucson is backed by a brilliant 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
The Active X is the sweet spot in the model range, its features, performance and exterior style, make it a worthy addition to the medium SUV segment. The Active X is loaded with kit that makes it one of the best metal for money offerings in the class. It has the ride and handling characteristics that make it well worth a test drive. Unfortunately, the brilliant exterior styling with its attention to detail isn’t carried through to the cabin. Its lack of interior space and the choice of materials detract from what is an otherwise compelling package.
Let’s start a Car Conversation, does anybody own a Tucson and can share their ownership experience? Where do you rate the Tucson in the context of the medium SUV segment? Are you in the market for a medium SUV, if so have you looked at the Tucson?
