Hyundai Tucson Limited : SHOW PONY

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Hyundais Tucson Limited is designed to raise awareness in their compact 4x4. Steve Ghosley checks out what the attraction is?

Despite the bad press that 4x4 vehicles seem to generate, the SUV is still one of the most popular vehicles seen on our roads today with sales by manufacturers breaking all records. It is not surprising then, that Hyundai are attempting to cash in on this market with the launch of their latest Tucson Limited special edition.

The Tucson is never likely to be top of the list for a potential buyer because despite doing nothing particularly badly, it excels in no particular area either, doing the sort of blandly competent job that Honda were making their own with the Mk 1 CR-V fully seven years ago. The market has evolved significantly since then and products have differentiated themselves into various niches from the sporty Toyota RAV-4, the capable Nissan X-Trail and the aspirational Land Rover Freelander. The tough guy Subaru Forester, the sleek Mitsubishi Outlander and the bargain basement Kia Sportage have all eked out an existence. The Tucson Limited therefore has its work cut out to make a significant impression in this very competitive market.

So what has the Tucson Limited got going for it? Based on the generously equipped CRTD CDX, the Limited adds body coloured bumpers, body coloured side mouldings, privacy glass and a special black interior. Two colours are offered Warm Silver and Ebony Black. Hyundais Torque on Demand system is also featured on the car, allowing it to be switched automatically between two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive as and when required. One other thing it does have on its side, however, is the latest high-powered Euro IV 2.

0-litre CRTD diesel engine that is a rugged yet modern installation developing 138bhp and 225 lb/ft of torque. Its good for a top speed of 104mph and will cover the sprint to 60mph in 13.8 seconds. The engine seems to lack the mid-range shove of most common-rail diesels, almost as if its turbocharger was bleeding away boost, but the flipside of this is a very pleasant linearity of feel that makes it an easy engine to live with day in, day out.

"One other thing it does have on its side, however, is the latest high-powered Euro IV 2.0-litre CRTD diesel engine."

A combined fuel economy figure nudging 40mpg is very respectable going for such a spacious vehicle and even around town the Tucson will see over 30mpg. The diesel is moderately capable off road, although anything too arduous will betray its comparative lack of wheel articulation. Even over modest obstacles, the Tucson is prone to lifting a wheel and the four wheel drive system isnt quite clever enough to realise when one wheel is six inches off the ground and divert drive to the other wheel. A far better option is to manually switch the system to all-wheel drive (operable at speeds of up to 19mph) via a dash mounted button.

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? 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. 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. The Tucson Limited is a nice try by Hyundai but its just not a car that stands out in many ways. Still, when you consider the Hyundais well weighted controls, the competitive equipment levels, the well balanced styling, the no-nonsense practicality, the peace of mind of an industry-leading aftersales package and the low upfront price and ongoing running costs, then the Tucson Limited could, nevertheless, be considered something of a winner. Being a limited edition means that only a relative few of these trusty steeds will be available in the UK which may help to promote its image and shift them out of the showrooms.

The excellent 2.0-litre CRTD engine will also help its cause.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Hyundai Tucson Limited
PRICE: £18,392 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10
CO2 EMISSIONS: 187g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.8s / Max Speed 104mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Combined) 39.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4325/1830/1730mm