Hyundai Tucson Review & Pictures: Tusky Tucson

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“Tusky Tucson”

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New Hyundai Tucson Review Synopsis:

• Hyundai Tucson 2017 price starts at Rs.18.99 Lakh and Rs.21.59 Lakh for 2WD Petrol and Diesel respectively.
• This 3rd generation model made its Indian debut on 14th November 2016. It has 4.5 million customers worldwide.
• Presently it’s available only in 4x2 trim. Base Petrol & Diesel are equipped with 6-speed MT while mid and top offer 6-speed AT.
• The 2.0L VTVT Petrol engine churns out 155 PS @ 6200 RPM and torque of 19.6 Kgm @ 4000 RPM. ARAI mileage: 13.03 Kpl (MT) & 12.95 Kpl (AT)
• The 2.0L e-VGT Diesel's output is 185 PS @ 4000 RPM and 40.8 Kgm torque @ 1,750 – 2,750 RPM. ARAI mileage: 18.42 Kpl (MT) & 16.38 Kpl (AT).

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Introduction

Tucson isn’t a new name in the Indian automotive market. First introduced in 2005, it was supposed to be a game-changing model for Hyundai, but call it bad-luck or a premature entry, it ended up as a dud. The Terracan, its elder cousin, suffered the same fate inspite of the fact that both of them were very competent products. Back then, the situation was radically different from what it’s now. You could count the number of SUVs available in this price-band on fingertips. The infallible Honda CR-V was undisputed king of its segment, which over the time lost its sheen. It’s survival of the fittest. Over a decade later, only a few old names have managed to sustain their presence while others are making a comeback. The Hyundai Tucson is one of them.

It’s back and how. This is Hyundai’s second inning in India with the globally-acclaimed Tucson brand. In its third generation, this SUV packs full-substance which is required to take on the market. It’s already ahead in sales numbers at present if compared to good ol’ CR-V. However, positioning a 5-seater crossover like this one at a price-tag of nearly Rs.20 Lakh isn’t easy in market which is fond of 7-seater models like Mahindra XUV500 for lesser or would rather choose full-grown established SUVs like Ford Endeavour or Toyota Fortuner for little premium. Practically speaking, Tucson is the only SUV right now to bridge that gap as a viable option, at least until Jeep Compass and New Honda CR-V roll out. Is this crossover the right fit for you? We figure out.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Exteriors Design

One thing I’ve always liked the Tucson for is its compact dimensions which are neither too large nor too small. It’s a premium urban-crossover SUV and looks like one. It encompasses toned-down Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 styling. The design looks futuristic and is quite influenced by its second generation model, known as Hyundai ix35, which didn’t come to India (and for good). The ix35 seems more like an overgrown Verna. The major variations between second and third generation models incorporate on front and rear. The credit for designing new Tucson goes to Peter Schreyer who’s well-known for his contributions to design of Audi TT. The Tucson now once again looks macho for its segment just as it did when it was shown to the world for the first time in 2004.

The toughness which is reflected on design isn’t limited to looks alone. It’s as much superior when it comes to build quality too. Safe enough to comment that those who’re accustomed to German cars won’t be disappointed after getting into a Tucson. The panel gaps are mostly even with tight shut lines. Front looks aggressive and perhaps on the verge of being called flashy by a few, thanks to h-u-g-e three-slit chrome grille and ample of creases. Hood is long and the car itself boasts a brilliant road-presence. Jewel-like dual barrel LED headlamps with cornering function look stunning regardless of whether illuminated or not. Then there are foglamps with LED DRLs situated in their own beefy housing on the bumper. The lower-end is colored black and equipped with an artificial skid-plate to balance the mass.

Side-profile still somewhat reminds of the ix35 but it has a more deeply carved shoulder-line. The wheel-arches have become muscular and are enhanced with the black cladding. Hyundai has equipped base variant with 17” clean silver alloys while mid and top variants receive meatier 18” rims with diamond-cut alloy design. They’re wrapped with 226/55 R18 Korean-made Nexen tyres. The windows are wide-enough and rear quarter glass has grown bigger in size. The chrome-lining doesn’t surround the whole windows border (as in most cars) but it’s rather restricted to the base of frame. Smart keyless entry is a boon. You simply have to approach the car (with keyfob in pocket) and it unlocks while ORVMs unfold automatically and puddle lamps turn on. Silver roof rails are standard across all variants. They’re subtly integrated on the roof. Enhancing the slanting roof-line at rear also is a shark fin antenna. Overall, Tucson from side angle looks butch and sporty.

Quite contrary to its front, Tucson’s design is toned down on rear. Hyundai’s traditional horizontal styled LED taillamps make the car look wider. They look even more gorgeous at night when lit with arrow-like patterns (similar to modern Audi cars). The rear windscreen is normal sized but is very steeply slanted. This, along with a long spoiler that extends sideward gives the car a very stunning character. The boot is visually divided into two halves. The upper portion incorporates taillamps and Hyundai logo. On the lower-end, you’ll find separate number plate housing with “Tucson” and “CRDi” badges on each side. Note that Petrol doesn’t get fuel-version marking. The rear bumper looks rugged and has dual rear foglamps. Features like skid plates and chrome exhaust, however, are reserved only for top-end GLS.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Interiors Design

If I’ve to describe the interiors in a word, then it’s premium, as in case of most Hyundais. Some have found the interiors design to be too simple to suit their taste but isn’t it much safer than overdoing? Steering resembles closely to that of Hyundai Verna, though this unit is equipped with a lot more buttons. Overall interiors plastic quality is of superior-grade and nothing to nitpick about. Front seats are wide and extremely supportive but I’d have preferred more underthigh support or atleast an option to extend the same. You get a proper SUV-like commanding view of the road from driver’s seat, which is 10-way power adjustable on mid and top variants. Sadly, passenger seat is manually adjustable and skips height adjust function too. Ingress and egress isn’t the most convenient (but at the same time, not as bad as of full-size SUVs). This problem becomes severe if you’ve elders at home. Side steps, in that case, are one of those accessories which are worth investing in.

The dashboard layout is straight-forward and even those who might be upgrading from car segments lower will find getting acquainted with it hassle-free. The instrument cluster is uncluttered and looks neat at night times. MID is bigger on GLS Diesel and offers quite a few details including temperature, odometer average mileage, distance-to-empty, due service, current speed, current gear as well as settings to adjust doors, lights, sound etc features. The 8” high-definition touchscreen head unit right in middle of dashboard comes handy and is easy-to-read. It enables you to operate music system (FM / AM / USB / Aux-in), use telephone via Bluetooth or access GPS navigation. You can even link it with smartphones using Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. The audio-setup is equipped with four speakers and two tweeters. This experience is enhanced by Arkamys’ sound mood option. Overall, Tucson’s ICE offers a pleasing experience that wouldn’t let you down.

The in-car entertainment and auto-climate control buttons are wide and well-placed which makes it convenient to use them from ergonomics view point. The headlamp and washer stalks are thick and positioned as per local norms (unlike in European cars). There’s no auto-wiper option though. The cubbyholes are abundant. Starting from wide door pockets to multiple cubbyholes in center console, one wouldn’t need to search for space to store routine items. However, it’s worth pointing out that gearlever on variants GL and below is located on left unlike GLS version which gets it on right (due to electronic parking brake) and at the same time frees up some room for an additional storage compartment in the center console. Some minor storage spaces include a thin pocket on passenger side footwell in center console, sunglass holder on roof, ticket holder on sun visor etc. For bigger items, glovebox and under front armrest storage areas offer decent flexibility. The glovebox is cooled and more on the deeper side. Front armrest storage, too, is spacious and equipped with an extra plastic holder to increase its utility.

The interiors on rear part are equally spacious as the front although there’s very less stuff for the passengers to fiddle around with. The rear bench is large, offering ample of headroom and legroom. The wide rear window and a quarter-glass helps to improve roominess, but since it rises higher as it approaches towards the back, short passengers have to popup their head to get a decent view. The rear AC vents are tidily integrated on the front armrest console. You can only shut or direct their air-flow from back seat (no separate temperature controls). Neither transmission tunnel nor the air-con vents console is much of an obstruction for the third passenger. But I suspect if someone would still want to be there for long, given the backrest (which happens to be armrest in this case) is stiff and there isn’t much space left anyway if two full-grown adults sit on both the sides. However, good news is that rear seatback can be reclined as per convenience. There’s no lack of storage spaces here either. Front seatback features net-pockets to hold magazines. The door pockets can also accommodate a liter bottle each. The 60:40 split rear seat along with a massive 513 liters of luggage room and auto-boot feature makes Tucson a very practical urban-SUV.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Petrol Engine Performance

2.0L Nu Dual-VTVT Petrol​

Under the hood, Hyundai Tucson is offered with a choice of Petrol as well as Diesel engines. The 1999 CC Nu Petrol motor is a DOHC Dual-VTVT multi-point injection unit which churns out 155 PS @ 6200 RPM and delivers torque of 19.6 Kgm @ 4000 RPM. It’s equipped with six-speed manual transmission (on base variant) and six-speed automatic transmission (on mid variant). Hyundai has skipped the top-end GLS variant for the Petrol version, translating into absence of certain essential features. Though it’s not surprising why, since there are going to be very few takers for a Petrol SUV at this price point in India. As a matter of fact, we inquired with some Hyundai dealers in Delhi NCR and most even don’t have a Petrol test drive car considering bulk of their sales are in favor of Diesel. The Tucson isn’t available with 4-wheel drive option either but if rumors are to be believed, then its launch is scheduled soon.

Simply put, the 2.0L Nu motor is as refined as it can get. From the moment you turn on the ignition, you can literally sense the refinement levels of this engine. It’s smooth and ultra-silent inside out. It is same engine which also powers the Hyundai Elantra although power output has been marginally tweaked. Shift the gearlever to D and tap gas pedal. Tucson drives forward in a poised manner. The noise and vibrations are restricted and you feel absolute calmness. The driving modes include Eco and Sport apart from Normal. Eco helps in improving the mileage through upshifting early while Sport holds on to the gear a bit longer for enhanced driving pleasure. The difference, however, is minimal. I preferred to drive Tucson Petrol in Normal mode rather upon experiencing its transmission behavior after a while.

Show even a bit of aggression on the accelerator and this motor starts screaming “no”. There was a very prominent lag in the transmission of our test car during sudden or hard acceleration. The gearbox attempts to keep up with the pace but this bulky SUV will time and again remind that it’s best if driven in a relaxed state. The noise at higher RPMs becomes glaringly loud. Therefore, Tucson Petrol is clearly not the car if driving pleasure is what you seek, opposed to its Diesel counterpart. Though the drivers who’ve a light-foot by nature will be pleased with its sophisticated driving etiquettes in city traffic conditions as well as calm cruising on highways. Hyundai claims to have fetched an ARAI-certified mileage figure of 12.95 Kpl (Petrol AT) and 13.03 Kpl (Petrol MT). However, our automatic test car managed to deliver about 7.5 Kpl with AC on under mixed driving conditions.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Diesel Engine Performance

2.0L R-Line e-VGT Diesel​

Equipped with the new 2.0L (1995 CC) R-Line e-VGT Diesel engine, Tucson is capable of producing upto 185 PS @ 4000 RPM and peak torque of 40.8 Kgm @ 1750 – 2750 RPM. It’s a four-cylinder compact graphite iron block and aluminum cylinder head unit, with chain driven dual overhead camshafts operating four-valves on each cylinder. Hyundai-Kia has also included serpentine belt with isolation pulley, a plastic head cover, plastic intake manifold and plastic oil filter housing to keep its weight in check. This motor is mated with an option of six-speed manual transmission (on base variant) and six-speed automatic transmission (on mid and top-end variants) with an ARAI claimed mileage of 16.38 Kpl and 18.42 Kpl for automatic and manual versions respectively. However, in real-world we couldn’t extract more than 11 Kpl under mixed driving conditions (on automatic transmission with AC turned on).

This is unquestionably one of the most refined Diesel engines around. Push the start-stop button and Tucson takes its first breath with minimal noise and vibration. The clatter is evidently audible on the outside but inside the cabin is well-concealed from external disturbances. Shift the lever to D mode and release the brake pedal, Tucson moves forward effortlessly. Though 0 – 100 Kmph figures aren’t usually the forte of an SUV, but this one is surprisingly quick. There are two modes to choose from: Eco and Sport. As the name suggests, Eco is best for city runabout (giving most bang for buck in terms of fuel economy by upshifting earlier). On the other hand, Sport is meant for the more spirited driving and allows redlining. But make no mistake; the difference is far from giving you goosebumps.

Turbo lag is negligible but what’s sometimes a concern is the automatic transmission. The shifts in itself are smooth, although during sudden acceleration, the gearbox prefers to take its own sweet time. There’s thankfully an option to drive in the manual mode too. Torque delivery is available in abundance right from the beginning. Mid-range is packed with punch, translating motorway trips are going to be bliss. Just for reference, Tucson manages to do 60 Kmph @ 2,400 RPM in 3rd gear and 90 Kmph @ 2000 RPM in 5th gear. Steering wheel is quite accurate and a breeze to operate while maneuvering through traffic. Making U-Turns on two-lane streets might demand slight back and forth movement but still, it's quite convenient, thanks to the combination of rear camera and front parking sensors.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Safety, Braking, Ride & Handling

The new Tucson offers an acceptable balance between ride and handling. Hyundai has worked on improving the driving dynamics and it shows. High speed stability and handling is incredibly sophisticated. The ride quality too is settled by SUV standards (it's somewhat stiffer on Diesel). Proper off-road capability, of-course, isn’t something Tucson is designed for. But that said, it can flawlessly overcome most of the traditional bumps and potholes in city driving speed without you even noticing. Even in mild off-road like situations, it wouldn’t disappoint. Steering wheel is decent for urban and motorway commute alike. All-four wheel disc brakes are very responsive too to inspire sufficient confidence under emergency situations. The top variant is loaded to brim with safety features (unfortunately Petrol variant skips some): Front, side, curtain airbags, ABS + EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Hill-Start Assist, Down-Hill Brake Control, Brake Assist etc.

The launch of new Hyundai Tucson has once again re-opened the 5-seat premium SUV chapter in India, which Honda CR-V was once the ruler of. Given the recent entrance of Volkswagen Tiguan and upcoming models like Jeep Compass and Honda CR-V, this segment is bound to grow in near future. Tucson presents a strong case for itself with modern styling, sophisticated and spacious interiors, an awesome diesel engine and above all, the reliable Hyundai badge. However, with a price tag hovering in the hot-territory of Rs.20+ Lakh, its comparison to bigger rivals like Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour is inevitable. Those are full-sized SUVs with a set of different DNA and traits. Hyundai doesn’t expect Tucson owners to go on a serious off-road trail. It’s a pure urban SUV which you can drive to work, use to pick up groceries and double up as a long-drive companion that wouldn’t let you run out of confidence.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: You'll Love, You'll Loathe & Star Ratings

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You’ll Love:

• Neat and modern design. Tough build material.
• Spacious interiors with a list of practical features.
• Good ride, handling and NVH. Excellent performance of Diesel.
• No compromise on safety features. They’re loaded to brim on GLS.
• Hyundai’s widespread sales and service network. Better than Volkswagen & Jeep.

You’ll Loathe:

• Petrol version is a letdown for enthusiasts.
• Petrol-motor not available with top-end GLS variant.
• Dashboard reflection on windscreen is too prominent.
• Cumbersome to maneuver in congested traffic-stuck areas.
• Front passenger seat adjusts manually. Height and lumbar support function missing.

Hyundai Tucson Star Ratings:

• Design and Quality.................:
  
• Comfort and Features............:
  
• Engine and Performance.........:
  
• Handling and Ride Quality.......:
  
• Safety and Security Levels.....:
  
• Overall Fuel Consumption.......:
  
• Sales and Service Network.....:
  
• Value For Money Factor.........:
  
• The Automotive India's Verdict:
  

Here's how to interpret above ratings: The Automotive India Reviews Star Ratings Explained.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Price, Specifications & Brochure

Hyundai Tucson Price (Ex.showroom, Delhi):

Petrol

• Base: Rs.18,99,000
• GL: Rs.21,79,000

Diesel

• Base: Rs.21,59,000
• GL: Rs.23,48,000
• GLS: Rs.24,99,000

Hyundai Tucson Specifications:

Petrol

• Engine: 1999 CC
• Power: 155 PS @ 6200 RPM
• Torque: 19.6 Kgm @ 4000 RPM
• Transmission: 6 MT / 6 AT
• Fuel Efficiency: 13.03 Kpl (MT) & 12.95 Kpl (AT)

Diesel

• Engine: 1995 CC
• Power: 185 PS @ 4000 RPM
• Torque: 40.8 Kgm @ 1750 - 2750 RPM
• Transmission: 6 MT / 6 AT
• Fuel Efficiency: 18.42 Kpl (MT) & 16.38 Kpl (AT)

General Specifications:

• Front Brakes: Disc
• Rear Brakes: Disc
• Front Suspension: McPherson Strut with Coil Spring
• Rear Suspension: Multi-Link with Coil Spring
• Fuel Tank: 62 Liters
• Length: 4475 mm
• Width: 1850 mm
• Height: 1660 mm
• Wheelbase: 2670 mm
• Tyre Size: 225/60 R17 (MT) / 225/55 R18 (AT)

Hyundai Tucson Exterior Colors:

• Star Dust
• Wine Red*
• Pure White*
• Sleek Silver
• Phantom Black*

Note: Asterisk (*) denotes our preferred choice of colors.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Videos Review

Hyundai Tucson Diesel Interiors NVH

Hyundai Tucson Petrol Interiors NVH

Hyundai Tucson MID Walkthrough

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Pictorial Review

A pure-bred urban SUV that ticks all the right boxes.

The wide chrome grille makes the front look intimidating.

Diamond-cut alloys look neat. Foglamps and DRLs sit in their own big housing.

Jewel-like dual barrel headlamps with cornering function are an attention-magnet. The white stripe on top lights up too.

Front and rear artificial skid guards are GLS-variant only feature.

The LED taillamps with arrow illumination inspired by Audi.

Observe the coupe-like slanting roofline and rising window-line at rear-end. Beautiful.

Getting in and out easier than in full-size SUVs but still not the most convenient. Particularly for elderly.

Quarter-glass is marginally bigger than in ix35. Chrome finish extends half-way up on this side.

The rear washer is awkwardly placed on a corner but nevertheless, it does the job.

The style-statement shark-fin antenna.

The combination of rear sensors and camera is a must to park an SUV of this size.

A peek under the body. Ground clearance is 172 mm.

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Hyundai Tucson: Pictorial Review

Hood is well-insulated on Petrol as well as Diesel models.

You’ll find several Hyundai-Kia parts under the hood.

Petrol has one of the most well-spaced and well-arranged engine bay.

Long ORVMs provide a good view.

The elegant interiors. Getting inside the Tucson is always a pleasing experience.

The rear seats too are very spacious. High window-line could be an issue for short occupants.

The 60:40 split feature increases its flexibility. The rear seats fold flat.

Tyre-pressure markings and VIN placards can be found on door-jambs.

The “Diesel” is marked clearly on fuel-lid...

...Not so the case with “Petrol” model.

Standard headlamps low and high beams are adequate.

Here’s a shot of how all those lights look at night time.

The 513-liters of flat storage room is more than adequate. Built-in luggage-screen helps cover it up from unwanted eyes.

The full-sized spare wheel is an alloy. Its flap cover causes rattles on uneven roads when the boot is empty.

Chrome-tip exhaust available only on GLS variant.

 

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Hyundai Tucson: Pictorial Review

Cockpit offers a clear view. Steering feels good to hold.

A lot of buttons on the steering. Left is reserved for Bluetooth and ICE controls. On the right are mostly settings.

Stalks are thick. Headlamps are automatic. Wipers are not.

The dashboard reflects badly on windscreen under direct sunlight. There’s no storage on top of it. Can use as idol or perfume holder.

The start-stop button is very conveniently positioned.

The generic Hyundai fusebox (with dedicated on-off switch for circuit) on RHS of dashboard.

The long hood unlock lever is easy to operate.

The X-Mas tree shape pattern buttons on driver’s door console. Power window buttons are located a bit too behind.

Pedals are big and comfortable to operate. Brake pedal adequately distanced from left.

Sunvisor with ticket holder, vanity mirror and lamp. Can be extended too.

The interiors are extremely well-illuminated.

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Hyundai Tucson: Pictorial Review

The IRVM with integrated digital compass (can be turned-off).

The rear grab-handles with a coat-hook.

Front, side and curtain airbags are standard on top-end variant.

Air-conditioner cools well. Big vents help to efficiently direct the air-flow.

The 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support.

The center console gets enough cubbyholes (shown on bottom left is sunglass holder). Storage near cupholders is missing in base and mid variants.

A slick-pocket on front passenger side foot-well.

Glovebox is deep. Notice pen-holder and cooling adjustment knob.

Front armrest is wide for both front occupants. Under-storage compartment is useful. The rear-armrest gets dual cupholders.

A view of instrument cluster in day and night time.

This is the instrument cluster of Petrol variant. Observe the smaller MID screen.

A quick overview of MID modes in Diesel.

The Eco and Sport drive mode markings show up in the tachometer in Petrol (opposed to MID in Diesel).

The 8” HD touchscreen unit allows controlling audio, Bluetooth, GPS etc.

GPS settings menu along with day and night screen (it switches modes automatically even if you're crossing an underpass).

The integrated rear parking camera with steering-guidance system is extremely helpful.

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Hyundai Tucson: Pictorial Review

This is the difference on center console that we’ve been talking about. Only top-end GLS is equipped with electric parking brake.

Front and rear door pockets are large. They can easily accommodate a one-liter water bottle.

Good-quality leather seats. Unfortunately, they do not offer ventilation feature.

Front seatback is fully plastic covered (easy to clean those shoe-marks). Net pocket allows you to store documents and magazines.

Minimum and maximum rear legroom.

The rear air-con vents are neatly integrated. The temperature is controlled from front only.

The transmission tunnel hump exists, nevertheless it’s manageable.

You definitely can’t reverse Tucson looking this way alone.

Front seatbelts are height-adjustable. Carrybag hook on B-Pillar. Three-point seatbelt for middle rear passenger.

The boot is well-lit, has a 12V socket (for portable refrigerators etc) and plenty of hooks.

Hidden storage compartment when you lift the spare-wheel cover flap up.

The keyless smart-boot feature very practical. You can open the boot from inside too.

Keyfob remote is similar to any other Hyundai car.

Finally the Tucson brand is back with a bang and we love it.

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