Hyundai Tucson

It is on the outside where the things have taken a drastic turn to match the latest trends going around in automobile interior designing. While the overall layout has been still kept smart and simple with all black finish, there are a couple of trendy design inclusions which make it look even more premium.

The three-spoke steering wheel shared with the new Elantra looks and feels much better to hold, however, it is the boring looking instrument console from the previous model which makes things look too simple for the driver’s cockpit.

The center console has been completely revamped, as the butterfly themed design goes for a wider panel, with sleek and horizontally laid out AC vents taking the most of the space. The new Tucson now gets a freestanding touch screen infotainment system at the center above the AC vents, which looks distinctive thanks to its tapered sides. Even the design for the dual-zone automatic climate control panel looks wider and bigger than before, which makes the dashboard look larger than before.

The Hyundai Tucson has always been one vehicle which was always rich on comfort and convenience features, and the latest one follows the tradition with features like dual-zone automatic climate control, 7-inch touch screen infotainment system, powered driver’s seat, rear AC vents, smart opening tailgate, auto cruise system, push-button start with keyless entry and electronic parking brake.

The recent Hyundai vehicles have some seriously admirable designs to look at, and the latest version of the Tucson, even with the mildest of the tweaks it has received, looks very much upmarket and premium.

The majority of the changes have been carried at the front of the Tucson. While the Tucson still has got a massive hexagonal front grille, it has lost out rounded edges for sharper ones, which blend into the headlamps with chrome edges as adjoining elements. The sleek headlights are the same as before in terms of design, however, they now get new full LED headlamps and a new pattern for daytime running LEDs. The front bumper too has been redesigned with new silver skid plates and fog lamp housings.

The side profile of the new Hyundai Tucson is more or less the same as before, with the rugged bits like side black cladding and silver skid plate below the doors complementing the curvy and aerodynamic silhouette of the crossover. The other major inclusions here on the sides are a new design for the alloy wheels as well as a silver garnish on the lower and rear portions of the side windows.

At the rear, things are pretty much the same, with the sleek full LED tail lamps and slightly upward position for the number plate housing making the rear look clean and smart as before.

Beneath the skin, the Hyundai Tucson has got a suspension setup of Macpherson struts at the front and multi-link setup at the rear. Like in all the Hyundais, the suspension is on a softer side to make your daily urban and highway rides very comfortable. However, it is the soft steering setup at higher speeds which reduces the driving pleasure a bit.

When it comes to engine options, the Hyundai Tucson comes with two of them, both of which are petrol powered. The lower-spec 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine puts up 155 PS of maximum power output and 192 Nm of peak torque output, whereas the more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine produces 177 PS of maximum power and 265 Nm of peak torque output. While the 2.0-litre engine is coupled to a 6-speed torque converter, the 1.6-litre mill is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.

The Hyundai Tucson is packed with safety features such as front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, Hill start assist, downhill brake control, brake assist and vehicle stability management.

The Hyundai Tucson might not be an out-and-out SUV thanks to its softness in overall appeal, however, this very softness makes it a perfect choice as a premium urban vehicle. The smart looks of the Tucson in and out make it a very impressive vehicle to look at and be in.