Driven | Hyundai Tucson Elite
Quick Facts:
- Price: From R524 900
- Engine: 2.0-litre petrol, naturally-aspirated
- Transmission: 8-speed auto
- Power/Torque: 137kW/416Nm
- Fuel Consumption: 7.4 L/100 km (claimed)
The Hyundai Tucson has been a household favourite for a number of years now. Hyundai revealed their 2022 Tucson and while we sampled it at launch earlier, we had some extensive time behind the wheel of the fourth-generation Tucson. Daring looks seem to be what Hyundai are on at the moment. Their futuristic looks turn heads and the benefit of a well-equipped cabin as well as pleasant driving dynamics ensure that the Tucson will most likely win the hearts of potential buyers.
In terms of looks, as mentioned, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson has a futuristic daring exterior look which we found to be quite remarkable. The Tucson has been designed from the ground up and it incorporates the company’s bold/futuristic look which we first saw on the Hyundai Staria. The body lines on the Hyundai Tucson have a zig-zag effect while the most noticeable change at the front is the cascading grille with LED daytime running lights integrated into the grille. The rear then receives a lighter which runs from, end to end while the claw-like LED taillights are reminiscent of some French brands.
Inside, the Hyundai Tucson not only looks but feels nicer and posher than the model it replaces and is thanks to the abundance of soft-touch and good-quality materials throughout the cabin. While it does not use the shift-by-wire that we have seen in most of the recent Hyundai models (palisade and Staria) the gear lever looks good and feels posh as well. It sports a simplistic but modern dashboard design with a digital gauge display and touch-sensitive control panel for the climate-control system and infotainment.
Because of the new platform, the 2022 Tucson's rear-seat space and cargo area are both larger than the outgoing model, providing more passenger comfort and practicality. The rear legroom has also increased. As for the specification inside, buyers can look forward to a wireless charger, and an 8-inch infotainment system which is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible however we found the wireless Apple CarPlay to be a nightmare! We had the same issues in the Hyundai i20 N-Line and we think that Hyundai needs to look at this issue extensively as it leaves the user extremely frustrated. One is better off using the BlueTooth functionality which kind of takes away from the Apple CarPlay user experience. Also included on the standard features list, are heated front and cooled seats, Two USB ports are available upfront, with charging ports provided for rear passengers.
The fourth-generation Tucson is also bigger, longer and wider than the model it replaces and it also sits on an all-new platform which improves the body rigidity, while including more sound-damping measures, both of which reduce noise, vibration and harshness.
Powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel power plant and we were really happy with the motor. Now with more power and torque over the outgoing diesel motor, the 2.0-turbodiesel engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission which we thought to be quite sleek and kept the engine in its optimal torque zone. In terms of the drive, the Tucson is quiet and feels really refined it feels when cruising especially on long trips. This is where it also shows off in terms of fuel economy with the best figures we got in our diesel variant coming in at 6.9l/100km, which is even better than the claimed 7.4L/100kms. While it is firmer than the outgoing model, there is minimal body roll when cornering, thanks to the aforementioned suspension upgrades. The steering is much better weighted and delivers more feedback
On the safety side, there are a host of driver-assistance features available, many of which will come standard.
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist
- Blind Spot Detection with Rear Collision-Avoidance Assist & Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
Overall, the Hyundai Tucson ticks all-family midsize SUV boxes, with practicality and a well-designed interior at its most vital points. Most buyers will want the torquey 2.0-litre turbodiesel, but it's only available in the Elite trim level which is quite a bummer. However, the Hyundai Tucson is a winner.
Specifications List
- 8" Display Infotainment System with Apple Carplay & Android Auto
- Auto down window operation - front
- 10.25” Supervision cluster
- Bluetooth enabled
- Rear console ventilation duct
- Smart Cruise Control
- Wireless phone charger
- Panoramic Sunroof
- Rain Sensor
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated Steering wheel
- Smart Key with start button
Pricing
Tucson 2.0 petrol Premium - R524 900
Tucson 2.0 petrol Executive - R574 900
Tucson 2.0 petrol Elite - R639 900
Tucson 2.0 diesel Elite - R704 900
All Hyundai Tucson derivatives come equipped with a 7-year/200 000 km warranty and a 6-year/90 000 km service plan.
