El C-segment SUV, that of mid-size SUVs, does not stop evolving. In addition to the fact that practically all common brands already have a product in this category, manufacturers are looking for the largest piece of that shared cake by providing solutions and features that are different from those of their rivals. Of course, everything carries its risks. A few minutes ago we met the new Hyundai Tucson, which changes considerably.
The Hyundai Tucson is one of the most popular midsize crossovers in the European market. In our country it is one of the best sellers along with the Qashqai, Ateca, 3008 or Sportage. As you can already see in the images, the Tucson wants to be noticed with a very different aesthetic. Will it manage to become the benchmark in the C-SUV segment and dethrone the Qashqai of Nissan?
Total change in the exterior aesthetics of the new Tucson
This Fourth generation has little to do with the first, launched by Hyundai back in 2004, but it's not like the predecessor either. The previous model had an aesthetic that married very well with European tastes. this one looks like now more global and not so focused on Europe, so some customers may not be convinced.
In any case, its design cannot be called boring. The front of this compact SUV is impressive. It uses a front in which the grille and the LED headlights themselves seem to be interspersed, giving a very three-dimensional and differentiated appearance. In addition, the shapes of the bumper and the air intakes add a lot of character.
La side it maintains the usual all-way silhouette but nonetheless looks much bulkier than before. The marked lower protections, the square wheel arches, the continuous tension lines and ribs stand out, as well as the glazed surface and the floating roof style that gives it a more coupé appearance.
Finally, the rear does not go unnoticed either. The LED lighting system is completely new, resorting - like many other manufacturers - to a lighting line that communicates the pilots with each other above the license plate. The lower protection is also very marked, making it clear that it is an SUV. Finally, it is striking that the emblem of the brand is located in a raised position, on the rear window itself.
A clean and totally new interior
With all the new features seen on the outside, it was to be expected that the Hyundai Tucson was not going to settle for a cabin that was too simple. Strong commitment to technology. The dashboard design is completely new, minimalist and very fluid. In fact, the main lines that run through it horizontally continue on a visual level, also crossing the doors.
Behind the steering wheel, which is also newly designed, there is a new 10,25-inch digital instrument cluster. Exactly the same dimensions can have the central color touch screen of the system of infotainment. Surely the operation of this system has evolved a lot compared to the previous Tucson, but the position of the screen seems somewhat low.
Hyundai has preferred to eliminate the traditional buttons of this central zone, which does not seem to us a success. As a general rule, this implies more distractions and forces us to take our eyes off the road for more time. At least the positive point is that, although the controls are touch, the climate control is clearly separated from the screen.
On the other hand, the center console and the details that we see in these images offered by the company make us see that Hyundai has wanted to give a great jump in terms of design and quality in your model. We haven't been able to get on it yet, but at least on a visual level it seems that everything has been done with great care.
Regarding the trunk, the South Korean brand affirms that there will be a great use of cargo space. What's more, the rear seats will have an effective folding (called "folded and submerged") that manage to occupy less space and thus reach 1.800 liters of capacity. Although it depends on the motorizations -by placement of batteries and others-, with the five seats placed we can have up to 620 liters of trunk.
Evolved security equipment
Leaving aside the visual part, we move on to the “Guardian Angels", to the driving assistants and active safety systems. What the Asian company calls Hyundai SmartSense.
Among other systems we can mention emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping, blind spot alert, collision warning, parking assistant, remote intelligent parking, fatigue detector or automatic high beams.
There are also some additions like the rear cross traffic detector, which is of great help when leaving parking lots, or the adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.
Engines for all tastes and needs
We close this article talking about the mechanics. And beware, do not think that there are no interesting news here. The new Hyundai Tucson has a wide range of mechanics. We find motors gasoline, diesel, gasoline micro-hybrids, diesel micro-hybrids, conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrids. In other words, it adapts to all clients. There is where to choose.
Engine gasoline conventional, without electrification, is the 1.6 hp 150 T-GDI. This same engine block is available with light hybridization at 48 volts, yielding powers of 150 and 180 CV, and benefiting from the Eco label in Spain.
In section diesel we find the 1.6 CRDi block, which has a variant of 115 hp in its access version. The most performance version is mild hybrid, delivering 136 CV and, logically, also taking the Eco sticker from the DGT.
If we talk about hybrid, on the one hand we have a traditional hybrid mechanics -with a gasoline thermal engine- that is capable of developing 230 CV. On the contrary, if we are looking for a Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid PHEV, we have a very solvent option with no less than 265 hp.
Source - Hyundai
More information about this model
- Plazas 5
- Power 116 - 265 hp
- Consumer goods 1,4 - 7,1l/100km
- Assessment 4,7