Two ideas spring to mind every time we see a unit of the new Hyundai Tucson. The first is that for some reason the car seems smaller on the outside than its predecessor But no, because the new one is 20 mm long (4,500), 15 mm wider (1,865), and 5 mm taller (1,650). The cause of this impression is probably in that in the previous Tucson the hood seemed to extend forward in a somewhat more horizontal position and the optics were higher. The second idea convinces you that Hyundai has hit the key with the design.
The rectilinear wheel arches are peculiar, and with the bodybuilding widening of the body in the four wings and part of the doors it has the personality that was missing before, although we cannot avoid that it reminds us seen from the side of a Toyota or a Lexus. But its magic, what really falls in love with the car is in the parametric daytime optics, which are camouflaged as part of the car’s grill when they are off. This is what really makes you look back at the car when you have parked it and are already walking. Although also the rear lights they are very attractive, with a kind of double tusk on each side joined by a luminous profile that goes from side to side.
Sitting in the Tucson does not have the feeling of finding a bulky dashboard, but something more friendly and simple. The protagonist is a central console that blends in its upper part with horizontal shapes in which the ventilation outlets the lateral ones are camouflaged. With a 10.25 screen what strikes us about this console is that it has more touch controls than usual the one specifically for favorite stations for example. Also that it is somewhat lower than we would like to take your eyes off the road less but the quality of your image is ultimately good.
On the left, the screen that serves as a watch box looks like a 10.25 Tablet that has been perfectly embedded in the dashboard. It is not a very configurable watch box, although it gives us several information options in the center energy flows, for example. And in this version with automatic transmission we find that there is no transmission selector to use, but four buttons with the legends D, N, R, and P, in addition to the handbrake, a tiny knob to select the driving modes, and several smaller physical buttons this time they are not tactile to heat the seats, activate the rearview camera or disconnect the parking sensor, among others.
In general, there is a feeling of pleasant spaciousness in front, to which you settle in seats that are not flashy by design but in which the body is very comfortable. And behind the two side seats are a good place to travel, since there is plenty of space for the legs, the space at the height of the head is generous, the feeling of width is enough and the front headrests are rather narrow, obstructing less than usual the view from this row of what we have ahead. Regarding the central plaza.
We regret once again how difficult it must be to design an armrest that is comfortable for the back once it is folded because in Tucson whoever sits here will complain about how hard and prominent it is. And it is a shame because the bench is comfortable in the central square and also the floor has a very low transmission tunnel so that this passenger can move his feet very to his liking.
Its capacity is completed by a 546-liter boot that is not too clean in shape (the wheel well is quite prominent) but which suits the familiar term very well because it has a wide loading mouth, 12V socket, several hooks. load control to lower the rear seatbacks. And on top of that it could still have covered up to 620 liters if our unit were not the diesel with 48V technology. As for the engine, we are facing one of those few examples in which a diesel mechanic has a micro hybridization system and ends up wearing the DGT Eco distinctive (blue and green) on its windshield, which gives the right of access to certain areas restricted in cities, discounts in parking areas, etc. In other words, it combines the feeling that we are doing what we are doing environmentally, while still enjoying the savings that diesel engines have been accustomed to for years.
Actually, a 48V micro-hybrid system does not allow the vehicle to move by itself, but it does feed the electrical systems so that they do not increase fuel consumption. In other words, the Tucson CRDi 48V DCT always moves thanks to a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 136 hp and 320 Nm of torque. This option is the most powerful diesel since the Tucson is also offered with a 1.6 diesel engine of only 115 hp (this time without micro hybridization, and therefore with the C environmental label) that many will find scarce. It is not intended to be ‘exciting’ for performance, but rational, displaying sufficient strength for family use even at full load.
Its maximum speed remains at 180 km / h and goes from 0 to 100 in 11.4 s, which are ‘normal’ figures. And those who want more, will have to say goodbye to diesel and opt for the gasoline versions with or without micro hybridization, which in both cases delivers 180 hp. That until we have the most electrified versions that the Korean manufacturer has promised us.
And to feel the character of the engine in all its intensity we have to select the Sport mode in the small switch located on the center console. The watch frame is then stained a ‘blood’ red as a secondary color without changing the information offered at that time and the engine becomes faster by obeying what the right foot asks of it. Of course, this change is more noticeable than the one between Normal mode in which the clocks appear in pearl color and Eco black dials which barely slows down the throttle response a little more. The suspensions are McPherson type at the front and deformable parallelogram at the rear. For the rest, comfortable and appropriate in a car that must be prepared to travel on roads, if its owner is encouraged to do so.
But it is also up to expectations on secondary roads, where this 4×2 (there is also it with all-wheel drive) traces the sharp curves quite nobly from the front end and without the body slopes becoming annoying.
The Tekno finish is the highest in the Tucson range although on top is the Tekno Sky, which incorporates a panoramic sunroof and is already generously equipped, with elements that in the last generation model could not be overlooked. We mean things like the active lane following system the one that detects vehicles pedestrians, and cyclists and assists us in braking if necessary involuntary lane change systems and Blind Spot Detection with Rear Traffic Alert the wireless charger for the phone the emergency call e-call.
But there are also others not so avant-garde that is very welcome from a functional or even aesthetic point of view. In this sense, we are talking about the two-color bodywork, the silver grille, the curtains for the rear doors. In this version without adding options even in terms of body color it is offered as standard in red with a black roof for white, you have to add 250 euros and for metallic or pearl paints add 560 euros the price remains at 36,500 euros. There are more compact-size SUVs for similar prices, but how many are Eco-labeled diesel?
