114 wheelsmag.com.au
SCORE
6
TH
/ 10
6.5
SLIGHTLY IMPROVED, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO USURP SPORTAGE
Hyundai Tucson Active X
HYUNDAI has already hit the popularity jackpot with
the striking Tucson. But with newly hatched sweeteners
like a direct-injection heart transplant for 2017, what’s
holding the medium SUV from Korea’s biggest brand
back from challenging the class order?
That engine first. Ousting the old 114kW/192Nm
2.0-litre ‘MPI’ multi-point injection unit that still
serves in the closely related Kia Sportage, the
121kW/203Nm direct-injection ‘GDI’ version’s
incremental improvements translate to slightly
stronger performance and significantly improved
refinement in the upper rev band. The result is a
robust slogger, supported by a well-tuned six-speed
torque-converter auto.
So imagine our surprise when almost nothing
separated the latest Tucson from its lesser-engined
Sportage equivalent at the strip, with the Kia
matching the Hyundai to 400 metres and actually
pipping its cousin to 100km/h. The GDI’s advantage
only becomes evident at higher speeds (and revs),
though its half a litre fuel consumption saving would
certainly be appreciated in the hip-pocket.
Tuned for Australian conditions, the Tucson’s chassis
is defined by its neutral balance and confident control.
Keener drivers will prefer more steering weight and
crisper feel – something the rather numb Sport mode
attempts to address – but the differences between the
two settings aren’t that clear-cut.
A downside to Hyundai’s sporty tuning is a
propensity for steering-rack rattle through bumpier
corners, while the Active X’s standard 18-inch rubber
results in a relatively firm (though still adequately
absorbent) ride quality. You can hear more than feel
the hardware beavering away down there, though,pleasingly, the engineers have managed to effectively
contain road and tyre noise intrusion.
The interior, too, is largely successful in execution,
with ample levels of passenger space in both rows,
commendable forward vision and a simple dashboard
that requires no mastery whatsoever.
As with the engine and dynamics, however, there is
room for improvement. For starters, the fascia’s layout
is probably too elementary in this day and age. There
is very little that’s sophisticated or interesting inside
the Tucson (bar the lovely and clear instruments).
Time for a fresh design approach, Hyundai.
More pressingly, the driver’s cushion is a little low
on support, and yet ironically the seat itself can’t be
adjusted quite low enough for some folk.
Out back, you don’t have to be tall to realise that
the rear seat’s entry and egress are hampered by the
low roof line and coupe-like door cut-out (especially
compared to the Sportage’s almost parallelogram-
shaped aperture).
Yet once inside, most people will appreciate just
how roomy and practical the Tucson is, with a cushion
that’s nicely padded for optimum comfort, plenty of
backrest angle adjustability, armrests sited exactly
where they’re needed, and lots of room for feet
underneath the front seats.
You’d never call the Active X meanly specified,
with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, rear camera with
sensors, and electric folding mirrors included. But,
again, there are anomalies, especially compared to
the Sportage – such as only one auto up/down window
(driver’s side), absent rear air vents, no 12V or USB
outlets in the back, and of course a five-year warranty
(like the Mitsubishi) instead of Kia’s seven years.
Ultimately, the more complete Sportage showed up
the Tucson by offering essentially the same medium
SUV in a more persuasive, more sophisticated, and
better-equipped package. So while the big-selling
Tucson improves in a number of small ways for 2017,
all-round completeness continues to elude it. BM$33,650
Engine
1999cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v
Power
121kW @ 6200rpm
Torque
203Nm @ 4700rpm
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Dimensions
(L/W/H/W-B)
4475/1850/1655/2670mm
Weight
1584kg
Cargo capacity
488 litres
Tyres
Nexen N-Priz RH
225/55R18 98H
Fuel consumption
10.7L /100km (tested)
0-60km/h
4.7sec
0-100km/h
10.5sec
0-400m
17.3sec @ 131.8km/h
30-70km/h
3.8sec
80-120km/h
7.4sec
100km /h-0
38.2m
3yr resale
52%- Handling; packaging; styling
- Outshone by Sportage;
downmarket interior
SPECS