2016 Hyundai Tucson Road Test Review

They say one needs to strike when the iron is hot. The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment in the country is currently growing the fastest in the passenger car market and like all car makers Hyundai too is stepping up its act. They already have a Creta in the SUV space which has become a big hit among Indians. They also have a Santa Fe, but that that’s bit out of reach for ordinary mortals costing in and around Rs 30 lakh plus. Now the company has introduced the Tucson (pronounced Too Saw). It comes in the premium SUV segment, but at a lower price band. It’s a smart move on the part of the company.

The all new Hyundai Tucson comes with two engine options: Nu 2.0 litre petrol and R 2.0 litre diesel. While the petrol is based on a dual VTVT engine technology, the diesel is based on an e-VGT engine technology. Both these models also have a further option of a manual as well as an automatic version. Of the two, the diesel model is more powerful as it churns out roughly 182.5hp @ 4000 rpm and a maximum torque of 400Nm in the rpm band of 1750 to 2750. The petrol mill produces only about 153 hp @ 6200rpm and a peak torque of 192Nm @ 4000 rpm.

We got our hands on the diesel automatic top end variant and took it for a short spin in and around Chandigarh. First and foremost, the all new Hyundai Tucson is a perfect fit between the Creta and Santa Fe. Obviously, there is an audience out there keen for premium products but not ready to pay as high as Rs 30 plus lakh for it. The first generation Tucson, if one remembers, came into India around 2005, then vanished after five years or so. The second generation Tucson never made it to India and finally we have the 3^rd generation Tucson. Its timing into India could not have been more appropriate.

Like so many SUVs already present in the country, the Tucson too is smart looking. But it scores high on the exterior styling front, be it those hexagonal grille, the dual barrel LED headlamps, fog lamps with LED DRL, etc. Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design is very evident on the Tucson. Further, the chrome door handles with pocket lighting, chrome finish belt line, the R 18 diamond cut alloy wheels, and twin chrome exhausts peeping out from the rear bottom, the roof rails, the shark fin antenna and the sporty spoiler with LED stop lamps make the Tucson a good looking vehicle. The vehicle is made of 51pc advance high strength steel, thereby ensuring that you are safe in the vehicle while driving. 

The good looks on the outside simply extend their character inside in the form of premium fit and finish inside. The two tone beige and back combination with leather seats and leather wrapped steering wheel exude chic class. Apart from enough storage spaces and generous leg room both in front and rear, there are these chrome tip controls on door armrests. Like in all premium cars, this one too has leather console arm rest with storage. Interestingly the middle seat in the rear comes with a three point safety belt which is not very common among cars in this segment

It’s definitely a driver’s car as the driver seat is the only one which has a 10-way adjustable power driver seat. The dual zone climate control, with cluster ionizer (this keeps the car environment clean), rear AC vents, a luggage screen for the boot area, auto folding ORVMs, compass on inside rear view mirror, smart key and push button, etc makes the Tucson a lot premium in its offerings.

The vehicle also comes with a smart infotainment system, a 4+2 speaker entertainment system, Apple car play as well as Android auto connectivity, smart HD audio video navigation with voice recognition and steering mounted audio and Bluetooth controls.

Driving the car on the highways of Chandigarh revealed the brute side of the car when it came to power. The diesel mill churned out tremendous torque and power, which the turbo kicked in around the 2000 rpm range, life the car into speed mode. There are two drive modes, one ECO and the other Sport which change the dynamics of the car to a great extent while driving. The NVH levels are very good in this car and it handled well in some of the hilly terrains of the region. Ride and handling too scores high on this vehicle.

In short, the all new Hyundai Tucson scores high one several fronts, be it looks, performance and comfort. For all those who need to rough it out with this premium SUV, they need to wait a bit more…a 4 wheel drive Tucson is just round the corner. But then it would have to tweak its ground clearance too which is currently at 172mm!