Australian New Car Buyer – June 2019

72 | NEW CAR BUYER

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yundai’s Tucson mid-size
SUV range opens with
the 121kW/203Nm 2.0-litre
four-cylinder direct-injection
petrol/six-speed manual front-
wheel-drive Go, at $28,150.
Active X is $31,350. A six-
speed auto adds $2500.
Front-wheel drive Elite
automatic is $37,850.
All-wheel-drive petrol variants
kick off with the 130kW/265Nm
1.6-litre turbopetrol/seven-
speed dual-clutch-automated
manual Elite at $40,850. In
top-of-the-range Highlander
specifi cation, it’s $46,500.
The 135kW/400Nm 2.0-litre
turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic
all-wheel-drive Go is $35,950.
Active X is $39,150, Elite is $43,150
and Highlander is $48,800.
Hyundai is pitching Tucson
ActiveX 2.0-litre petrol as
the value-for-money variant,
with 17-inch alloy wheels,
leather-faced seats, dynamic
parking guidelines on the rear
camera and a big touchscreen

infotainment system. Apple

CarPlay and Google Android

Auto compatibility are standard

across the range.

Hyundai’s fi ve years/unlimited-

kilometres warranty is another

value-add on ActiveX.

Automatic emergency braking,

lane-departure warning and blind-

spot detection are packaged as a

$2200 option on Go and Active X

automatics. They are standard on

Elite and Highlander.

The 2.0-litre direct-injection

engine’s relatively low peak

torque fi gure is produced at a very

high 4700rpm, so performance

is leisurely, especially with a

full load of kids. Eco, Normal

and Sport modes give you the

option of trading off performance

for fuel economy via different

transmission shift points.

Hyundai’s local suspension-

tuning expertise, underpinned

by a strong, rigid body, delivers

great roadholding and control

on rough surfaces with a fi rm,

comfortable ride and precise

steering. Tucson ActiveX pushes

the front end and gets a bit

messy in tight corners — like

every other front-wheel-drive

SUV — while the brakes, though

powerful, are wooden in feel.

The stark, functional dash,

swathed in textured grey plastic,

features bright, illuminated

instruments, a clear, easy-to-

navigate, responsive touchscreen

and two 12-volt outlets.

There’s ample driving position

adjustability, unimpeded vision

all round, a comfortable driver’s

seat and plenty of storage.

It’s hardly a premium cabin

but it’s quiet and fi t and fi nish

quality are fi ne. I’ve heard tinnier

sound systems in much more

expensive cars, too.

Tucson’s back seat has

reasonable legroom, a fi rm,

comfortable cushion and

adjustable backrest angle. Three

will fi t, but the centre belt is

housed in the roof and fi ddly to

use, and no vents are provided.

Three Australian standard and

two ISOFIX mounts are fi tted.

The big boot has a low fl oor,

high-opening tailgate, 12-volt

outlet, bag hook, net and cargo

blind. It’s easily extended by folding

forward the 60/40 split-fold rear-

seat backs. A full-size spare on an

alloy wheel is under the fl oor.

Tucson is a well-made,

capable SUV that would be easy

to live with as a family wagon,

but compared with Mazda CX-5,

Subaru Forester and VW Tiguan

it misses out on important safety

features across the range,

doesn’t drive as nicely and, apart

from ActiveX, is overpriced.

HYUNDAI TUCSON FROM $28,150

Safety

ANCAP

Performance

Handling

Quality and reliability

Comfort and refi nement

Value for money

Overall

STARS

THINGS WE LIKE

 Plenty of space

 Well equipped

 Secure handling and comfortable

ride

 Easy to drive

 Excellent quality and reliability

plus a long warranty

THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE

^ 2.0-litre engine lacks torque

^ Rivals at this price point have all-

wheel drive

^ Cabin is a bit grey, plasticky and

downmarket

^ Only the top-spec model gets the

high-tech safety gear

^ No 12-volt outlet or vents in

back seat

SPEX (ActiveX automatic)

 (^) Made in South Korea and the
Czech Republic
 (^) 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol/six-
speed automatic/front-wheel drive
 (^) 121kW of power at 6200rpm/203Nm
of torque at 4700rpm
 (^) 0–100km/h N/A
 (^) Warranty: Five years/unlimited
kilometres
 (^) 6.1L/100km highway; 11.0L/100km
city; regular unleaded, CO 2
emissions are 185g/km.
Fuel tank: 62 litres
 (^) Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear
camera and parking sensors,
automatic headlights, leather-
faced seats, 7-inch touchscreen
infotainment with Bluetooth and
Apple CarPlay, heated, folding side
mirrors, roof rails
 (^) Redbook future values: 3yr: 54%;
5yr: 42%
compare with ...
Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, Mazda
CX-5, Nissan X-Trail, Subaru
Forester, VW Tiguan
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