Hyundai Tucson 2.0
Its tough to know exactly who Hyundais Tucson is aimed at. Think about it for a moment. The ideal customer would be somebody whos not so hung up on following trends that a prestigious badge on the bonnet is a necessity, somebody who goes their own way and is practical and free-thinking. The problem is that many practical and free-thinking buyers would never dream of following the growing herd who have made compact 4x4s one of the boom industry segments.
Although the marketing proposition may be a little fuzzy, theres not much wrong with the value proposition.
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That £14,847 buys you the entry-level 2WD GSi model, with the 4WD CDX variant topping proceedings at a still hardly stratospheric £17,197. Compare those prices with the diesel version and youll save £1,000 model for model. Given that the petrol engined car averages 34.4mpg and the diesel 39.
8, this means that over a typical three year/30,000 mile ownership period, youd spend around £475 more on fuel in the petrol engined car. The residual value of the diesel car is a little better (49 per cent after three years as opposed to 45 per cent for the petrol) which ekes back another £100, but factor in the cost of credit and the petrol-engined car would appear to be the better buy, for the private buyer at least.
"For private buyers at least, a petrol Tucson would appear to be a better bet than a diesel"
The engine itself will be familiar to those who have driven the Coupe, and uses continuously variable valve timing to generate a plump 140bhp, although it does thrive on revs. Peak power arrives at a nosebleed 6,000rpm and the modest 136lb/ft peak torque arrives at 4,500rpm. This should tell you a couple of things. Firstly, that the petrol engined Tucson isnt great at the sort of low-down lugging required of serious off roaders and secondly that if you want to get anywhere quickly, youll make quite a racket doing so.
Engine refinement isnt the best, but the good news is that the powerplant sounds reasonably purposeful. Its also reasonably brisk in a straight line, getting the Tucson to 60mph in 11.1 seconds and only throwing in the towel at 108mph. Go for the 2WD model and you can get to 60mph in just 10.
4s and that makes it quicker than even the 2.7-litre V6 powered Tuscons. In order to win conquest sales from other manufacturers, the Tucson needs to offer something demonstrably different and this is where it could struggle. It rides on a modified Hyundai Elantra chassis and shares this with Kias latest Sportage, a car that has been pitched to undercut it significantly on price.
If youre looking for a compact 4x4 where price is everything, the Tucson isnt it. What it does represent is a test of how far Hyundais stronger brand image can be teased. Exactly how much more are British buyers prepared to pay for a Hyundai over sister company Kia? Hyundai have been feeling around for answers across their range. Its just that the Tucson campaigns in a savagely label-conscious sector.
But enough of the background. The hardware looks enticing enough in a generic sort of way. The styling looks like a scaled down Santa Fe but without the rather odd scalloped sides that, until BMW started adopting the look, made the car look as if it had suffered some light parking damage. The Tucson is neatly proportioned but theres not one exterior feature that grabs you.
The lower specification models feature a lot of black plastic exterior cladding and the plusher models with body-coloured detailing look a good deal more upmarket. If you are going to buy a Tucson with black detailing, specify the car in a dark colour and its effect is minimised. The Tucson is up against some tough opposition in the shape of the Toyota RAV4, the Nissan X-Trail, the Honda CR-V and the entry-level Land Rover Freelander models and although prices look competitive, the Tucson needs to bring more than an attractive sticker price to the party. The ride on all models is surprisingly firm and on smooth roads the Tucson tackles corners with some relish.
Throw a bumpy B-road at it and the Hyundai is far less polished, the suspension occasionally getting a little out of phase with whats going on at the wheels. Many will feel the Tucsons greatest asset is the sheer user friendliness of its cabin. Although the materials may not be top notch, the styling is neat with no nonsense ergonomics and a decent driving position. Switching the Hyundai from a school run special to a load carrier is simplicity itself, the rear seats folding virtually flat to the floor, the seat back and bases pivoting into place.
The front seats can also be folded back to flat, providing an impromptu bed. As with most 4x4s, there are numerous luggage nets, concealed cubbies, takeaway hooks and auxiliary power outlets. The rear glass also opens independently of the tailgate. Equipment levels are strong across the range, as would be expected of a Hyundai.
Even the entry-level GSi versions get air conditioning, a CD stereo and a decent complement of safety gear. Trade up to a CDX and climate control and an electric sunroof are included. Space is rarely at a premium in the cabin, the back seats easily capable of accommodating three six-footers with ease. This is due to the fact that the Tucson is the same height as the Santa Fe and a few millimetres wider.
The Tucson shoots at a lot of different targets and for us, it manages to miss many of them. Taken in isolation, it feels reasonably accomplished but it does nothing excellently, and even gets pipped in the value stakes a traditional Hyundai strength by Kias Sportage. A compact 4x4 without a trendy badge that doesnt relish off-road work and which isnt one of the more agile contenders on tarmac has to work hard for sales. A low sticker price helps but will only get buyers so far.
As broadly competent as it is, were still struggling to imagine the typical buyer for the Hyundai Tucson. One things a cert, though. Itll make a cracking used buy a couple of years down the road.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Hyundai Tucson 2.0 petrol range
PRICE: £14,847-£17,197 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 187-194g/km
PERFORMANCE: [4WD] 0-60mph 11.1s / Max Speed 108mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [4WD] (Combined) 34.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4325/1830/1730mm
