Hyundai recently gave its popular Tuscon SUV a workover to keep it competitive in the medium size SUV segment. With new competitors in the Medium SUV segment, the Tuscon had to up its game but is it enough, we gave the top ranger a test to find out.
This is now the top petrol spec in the Tuscon line up with Hyundai dropping the AWD model which had a R80k price premium over the front drive. This is a masterstroke from Hyundai as competition, especially the Mazda CX5, sells more FWD models. In the top of the range Elite spec, the Tuscon gains stunning, “blade” shaped 19inch wheels that drew many positive comments from onlookers. Few people could identify the main changes compared to the previous model but everyone saw that something had made the design more premium. The new grille, LED daytime lights, full LED headlights have received attention and in our eyes, the changes work. The rear is less obvious even with changes to the rear bumper and lights. Overall the Tuscon design is still very much a designer SUV with darker colours working best as we saw an Elite 2.0 petrol spec in black and with the Panoramic glass, it looked stunning.
Inside is where the test team immediately noticed and loved the changes. The floating infotainment screen is a nod to the new Euro design dashboards with added soft-touch materials around the cabin definitely enhancing the premium feel. Elite spec comes with leather, electric front seats, a large panoramic glass roof that tilts and slides, multi-zone climate control, keyless entry and start amongst a long list of standard features.
The seats do need some time to get comfortable in, especially the driving position but once you get used to it (no memory function, unfortunately), they work a treat. Space is good for 5 adults to travel in comfort with the rear seats reclining for added long-distance comfort. There were rattles heard during the test week and since we had not experienced this at launch, we assumed it probably due to the unit receiving a hard test life.
Boot space is quite good with a very useful net thats hooked around the boot space corners. This net holds small items from moving around the boot. During the test week, we never had to fold the rear seats and the 60/40 split does allow for additional space should the need arise.
Powering the test unit was Hyundai’s 130kW/265Nm 1.6 Turbo petrol driving the front wheels via a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. The transmission is the only negative in the package proving slow and can often hold on to a gear for too long. Drive off from standstill also proved difficult when in a hurry as the front tyres easily lost grip due to a sudden power burst. This was largely due to a delay from the gearbox which also made us feel the engine has Turbo lag. Performance claims of 8.9 seconds 0-100km/h and 201 top speed seem realistic but the 8.5l/100 fuel claim was not attainable as we got 9.8l100km through a week of mostly city, Durban (A/C working full time) driving. Highway cruising is one of the strenghts of the Tuscon with good sound insulation. With 4 occupants and luggage, the rear did inhibit a feeling of bounciness as if the rear shocks were almost shot. This was a bit unsettling during rough roads driving. The Tuscon is no N series but its a safe handling family SUV designed to cover miles at ease.
Safety is top drawer with multi airbags (front, side and curtain), Blind spot detection, LED headlights (at night you can easily see from a distance), ABS, EBD and other supporting safety systems all contributing to safe ownership.
Priced at R579 900, the Tuscon 1.6 TGDI DCT Elite does get stiff competition from the AWD group of Tiguan 2.0 TSI 4Motion DSG (R577 600), Mazdas 2.5 Individual AWD (R552 000). The Tiguan is more powerful but cannot compare on standard spec, whilst the Mazda comes well specced but the 2.5-litre engine lacks real-life performance when compared with the Turbo engined Tuscon. The Tuscon and Mazda come with great warranty support plans making maintenance life a breeze for owners. Hyundais 7 year/200 000 (5 year/150 000 warranty & additional 2 year/50 000 powertrain warranty) is still class-leading in terms of years.
Interested in getting into the driver’s seat of the latest Hyundai Tuscon? Hyundai Financial Ser
vices is best placed to finance its products and with WesBank support (leading vehicle and asset finance company in Mzansi) is the best way to get your dream car today. Get finance packages that suit your pocket thus allowing you to enjoy a dream motoring experience. For this vehicle, you will pay R11 429 per month for 72 Months, 0 Deposit, 0 Residual at 12% *Interest.
*(Interest used is for illustration purposes, each individual application yields its own interest rate depending on the customer profile)