Test Hyundai Tucson 1.6 TGDI 176 CV 4 × 4, renewing a best-seller

Everyone's watching Hyundai. The Korean brand has been steadily gaining ground in Europe for years, and now, with the new Hyundai Tucson , a new generation of models has arrived, representing a significant step forward for the brand and offering a much more mature and appealing product. We didn't want to miss the opportunity to test the Hyundai Tucson, choosing the top-of-the-range gasoline version with the 1.6 TGDI 176 hp engine , a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive.

The new Hyundai Tucson is of vital importance to the brand. Its role is to replace the Hyundai ix35 , a model that revolutionized the brand and became its best-seller. A quick drive down the street reveals that the Tucson is currently enjoying very positive results , with many seeing them on the road. Registration figures confirm this. That's why all the brands with an SUV in the C segment are keeping a close eye on Hyundai.

European design to conquer

Although the Hyundai ix35 represented a significant evolution from the original Hyundai Tucson, the third generation of the SUV takes design to a new level. The Hyundai Tucson was designed in Europe, primarily with European tastes in mind , and it shows.

The Hyundai Tucson's body measures 4,47 meters long , 1,85 meters wide, and 1,66 meters high. Its wheelbase is 2,67 meters. It has been sculpted using the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language , resulting in a very attractive image with a muscular body featuring prominent wheel arches and a character line that runs the length of the vehicle, rising from the front to the rear, also defining the waistline. Its sharp headlights and large grille give it a distinctive front end, while the rear stands out for its more robust appearance due to the reduced glass area.

Its exterior is modern, stylish, and aggressive, with a much more imposing presence than the Hyundai ix35. The Koreans know that first impressions are important; there will be time later to discover its other virtues. Furthermore, if we equip the Hyundai Tucson with 19-inch alloy wheels like those on our test vehicle (top-of-the-range Style trim), it gains even more presence despite the brown body color.

More design and quality inside

The Hyundai Tucson's dashboard also features a much more European design than the ix35's, which was full of odd shapes. The design is pleasing, and everything is well-placed. At the top is the multimedia system with a touchscreen . When driving at night, the screen can be turned off with a button to avoid glare.

Below these are all the controls for the dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and heated steering wheel . Beneath these is a generous storage compartment with two 12V sockets, a USB port, and an AUX input. To the left of the steering wheel are the instrument cluster dial and the buttons for the driver assistance systems and the power tailgate.

The multifunction steering wheel allows you to control the phone, multimedia system, and cruise control/speed limiter. It's intuitive. Behind it is the instrument cluster, easy to read and displaying speedometer, tachometer, engine temperature, and fuel level. The color multifunction display complements this information with the trip computer, multimedia information, navigation instructions, and other vehicle data.

The center console houses the gear lever, two cup holders and the buttons that control traction, parking assistance systems, descent control and driving modes.

The build quality and fit are good and in line with the segment. There are no creaks or gaps in the materials, and it feels solid. The upper part of the dashboard and doors is made of soft-touch plastic, while the rest is predominantly hard plastic. The door armrests are upholstered, but in this respect, the new Kia Sportage, a direct competitor with shared components, is better handled, as much of the door panels are upholstered, offering a higher level of quality.

lots of interior space

The Hyundai ix35 already offered good levels of interior space, but the Hyundai Tucson takes it a step further. The front seats are spacious and offer multiple adjustments. The only drawback is the lack of a sliding center armrest. Front passenger comfort is ensured by the heated and ventilated seats , which set this Tucson apart from its mainstream rivals.

There's plenty of space in the second row of seats. The middle passenger will be less comfortable due to a harder, less shapely seat and backrest, reduced headroom, and a central tunnel between their legs. The two outer passengers will have ample space in all dimensions and can enjoy reclining rear seats , as well as rear air vents, USB ports, and heated seats —the latter being somewhat unusual in this segment.

The trunk offers a segment-leading 488 liters of capacity , with a very usable shape. The spare tire is located under the floor , fitted with a 19-inch alloy wheel identical to the other four on this Hyundai Tucson. This practical detail does reduce the trunk's volume, as those equipped with a tire repair kit offer 513 liters of capacity. Furthermore, the spare tire makes it impossible to store the cargo cover under the floor, forcing it to be placed near the loading lip, secured with a tie-down point to prevent movement.

The tailgate on the Style trim level is power-operated and features a function that automatically opens the tailgate if you stand next to it for a few seconds with the key in your pocket. However, this function sometimes malfunctions.

A fine and energetic motor

The version we tested, with the 1.6 TGDi 176 horsepower engine, will almost certainly be the least sold in the Hyundai Tucson range, although it is no less interesting for those who are not going to travel many kilometers or who are looking for a good response at the controls of an SUV.

The only configuration available for this engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and 4x4 all-wheel drive . The other gasoline engine available in the range is the 1.6 GDi naturally aspirated engine with 131 hp, which can only be combined with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive.

Upon starting this engine, the first thing you'll notice is its absolute refinement. The engine is very quiet , even from the outside, while vibrations are imperceptible . It doesn't have a Stop & Start system, but you won't miss it, since when stopped at a traffic light you can't tell if the engine is running or not. That's always a plus for comfort, especially in city traffic.

Unfortunately, we can't apply that same engine refinement to the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The gearbox offers quick and almost imperceptible shifts while driving, but its performance at low speeds could be improved . When maneuvering, it can feel somewhat abrupt, as it's not as progressive as a torque converter, which is more easily controlled with the brakes. But that's not the worst part. If you let the car coast without pressing the accelerator, there will be a moment when you'll notice slight vibrations, like when a car is about to stall. If it weren't for that, the car would be absolutely flawless in terms of refinement.

This Hyundai Tucson 1.6 TGDi with 176 hp can sometimes feel a bit sluggish off the line . To remedy this, you can switch to Sport mode or accelerate more aggressively, letting the car know you want some pep, some fun, some excitement. The gearbox offers manual shifting via the lever, but unfortunately, there are no paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

I really liked this Hyundai Tucson because of the excellent performance of its engine. Especially in Sport mode , which optimizes gear changes, holding gears longer and providing more power in reserve. Sport mode also adjusts the suspension stiffness and engine mapping, making it more responsive to the accelerator. Overtaking or accelerating quickly is easy for the turbocharged gasoline Hyundai Tucson in any situation.

Consumption in the Hyundai Tucson turbo petrol

The most significant drawback of this engine is its fuel consumption . Not so much because it's high, but because it's highly sensitive to driving conditions. On highway journeys, we achieved the best figure of the test, 8,2 liters per 100 kilometers, although on another route, with a headwind, the figure rose to 9.9 liters per 100 kilometers.

The truth is, it wasn't until I made the return trip between Vitoria and Madrid that I saw the average fuel consumption drop below 10 liters per 100 kilometers, or very close to it. It hovered around that range on highway journeys, without being particularly demanding. In the city, averages of 12 or even 14 liters per 100 kilometers if you drive a bit more aggressively aren't surprising. Clearly, these are high consumption figures, but if you're not going to be covering many kilometers, fuel economy isn't a priority, and you're looking for refinement and performance, this 176 hp turbocharged Tucson seems like a recommendable car to me.

Abysmal improvement in dynamic behavior

We've already seen that the Hyundai Tucson's design and build quality are noticeably improved compared to the Hyundai ix35. But when it comes to driving dynamics , the improvement is enormous.

The new Hyundai Tucson offers a firmer suspension setup, which significantly improves body roll control. The ix35, on the other hand, lacked the ability to float on water to truly be considered a boat. This improvement is accompanied by more direct and weighty steering, which inspires greater confidence when cornering and requires fewer course corrections. The improvement in sound insulation is also noticeable, and overall the new Tucson is a quiet car. However, the brake feel remains somewhat artificial and lacks progressiveness, with the initial part of the pedal travel offering little resistance.

The firmer suspension, together with the 19” alloy wheels in the Style finish, reduce comfort in broken areas, and they are also more uncomfortable elements if we seek to leave the asphalt. From a practical point of view, the 17” alloy wheels are more interesting, although aesthetically they may be poor. In the turbo petrol model there is no possibility of mounting other rims.

off road driving

Like many of its rivals, the Hyundai Tucson isn't the most suitable car for off-road driving beyond dirt tracks and trails. Firstly, our Style trim comes with 19-inch road tires that can be easily damaged on very rocky terrain, and they also significantly compromise comfort in these situations. For venturing off-road, it's better to opt for another version of the Tucson with 17-inch wheels.

The Hyundai Tucson isn't exactly outstanding in terms of dimensions either. Its ground clearance is 17 centimeters , while some rivals exceed 20. Furthermore, its approach angle of 17,2º is particularly poor. The breakover angle is 18,6º and the departure angle is 23,9º.

Off-road driving aids include hill start assist and hill descent control . We weren't impressed with the latter, as its operation is abrupt and doesn't maintain a constant speed. When the car picks up speed too much, the system brakes repeatedly, instead of applying the brakes smoothly and progressively. The 50:50 center differential lock can help overcome some obstacles and improve traction in more challenging situations.

Driving aids in the Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson has greatly improved in terms of active safety , equipped with a multitude of systems that make driving safer. The most notable in this new crossover are lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. In this respect, the only thing missing for a truly comprehensive equipment package is adaptive cruise control.

The lane departure warning system intervenes by steering the car to keep it within the lane markings and prevent it from drifting out. Its operation is very similar to Volkswagen's Active Lane Assist, although the latter is more refined. When the system is activated, the Hyundai Tucson continuously makes small steering corrections to maintain the trajectory, which can be annoying, even though the system does its job. The blind spot monitoring system alerts you to the presence of other vehicles using indicators in the side mirrors. It also has an audible warning when you activate the turn signal and there's a car in the blind spot. Its operation is adequate.

Equipment Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson Essence

• 16″ alloy wheels
• Four electric windows
• Speed ​​governor and limiter
• Multifunction steering wheel
• Bluetooth
• Air Conditioning
• light sensing
• rear parking sensor
• LED daytime running lights

Hyundai Tucson Class (adds to Essence)

• 17″ alloy wheels
• roof rails
• Dual zone air conditioning
• Ventilation ducts in rear seats
• LED taillights
• Adjustable power steering
• Power folding mirrors

Hyundai Tucson Tecno (add to Klass)

• Heated front and rear seats
• Lane departure warning
• Navigator
• rear parking camera
• Keyless entry and start
• front parking sensor
• Recognition of traffic signs

Hyundai Tucson Style (adds to Techno)

• 19″ alloy wheels
• ventilated front seats
• Leather upholstery
• Electrically adjustable seats
• hands-free tailgate
• panoramic sunroof
• blind spot warning
• LED headlights

Hyundai Tucson Prices

The Hyundai Tucson prices shown in the following list do not include promotional discounts or purchase incentives such as the PIVE Plan.

Editor's opinion

Image gallery: