Hyundai Tucson review

Hardly seems like any time at all since the Hyundai range began its glow-up, but the fourth-generation of the Tucson medium-sized family SUV was launched in 2020 and has earned its mid-life facelift. 

The bold styling still works for us, which is just as well because the outside has just had a light tinkering, with the money spent on keeping the interior fresh. Whether you like the look of its Parametric Hidden Lights or not, it’s surely got your attention alongside the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan.

Still, eye-jolting aesthetics are just one half of the bargain. If it can’t back up the looks by working where it counts then the efforts of whichever brave designer looked at a drinks crate with a glint in their eye will all come to nothing.

Are Hyundais a bit cool then?

Seems like it. We're enjoying seeing a Hyundai that's strident and confident, with an impressive consistency across its entire range. Just look at what it's done with the Santa Fe lately.

The Tucson name first appeared in 2004, on a quirky looking car that put value for money above all else. The two generations which followed (one of which was called ix35 in the UK) sacrificed any aesthetic interest in order to chase the tidy dynamics and interior quality of rivals. Now Hyundai’s nailed those, interesting styling is truly back on the menu.

The latest version features a slicker interior that’s been brought into line with newer models in the Hyundai line-up – it’s much more stylish, centred around a duo of 12.3in screens, the left one being the touchscreen infotainment system and the right one the driver’s digital instrument panel.

Is it good to drive?

The Tucson drives respectably enough without being at all memorable, which is enough to justify it getting on the family car shortlist. It would be unfair to expect dynamic revelation from it, though, so we'll make do with a smallish SUV that goes well down the motorway and keeps roll in check so passengers aren't chundering all over the upholstery.

The model offers a well developed electric powertrain that’s unobtrusive, and if you’ve got charging capacity at home the PHEV version is worth looking at. Potential company car win, innit?

So what engines are available?

Well, engine. Backing up the bold styling is a menu of powertrain options all built around the same workhorse 1.6-litre turbo petrol. The various flavours run like the Nando’s menu, from unassisted lemon and herb petrol through mild hybrid, standard hybrid and extra hot plug-in hybrid assistance. Although it’s not actually that spicy.

The entry powertrain has 158bhp/195lb ft, a six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, good for 0–62mph in 9.9 seconds and consumption rated at 40.4mpg. The mild hybrid option has the same power rating but comes with a seven-speed DCT auto, knocking half a second off the 0–62 and improving fuel consumption to 44.1mpg thanks to extended stop/start and light electrical assistance.

The full fat hybrid version gets a 59bhp e-motor (with a small 1.5kWh battery for assisted electric driving) and a total of 212bhp/195lb ft for 0–62mph in 8.2s and 47.9mpg. We got around 45mpg real world from mostly motorway driving, but the hybrid tech does come into its own around town.

The plug-in hybrid car gets a chunkier 90bhp e-motor paired with a 13.8kWh battery for 42 miles of WLTP range (it’ll be less in real world driving) that works out at 250bhp/224lb ft overall. It has the same 0-62mph spring as the hybrid, but is rated at a taxman-friendly-but-essentially-meaningless 256.8mpg/25g/km CO2. Both hybrid and PHEV have 4WD options for more assured driving, but that comes with a light acceleration and fuel penalty.

Any other rivals that should be on my radar?

As well as the Kuga, Qashqai and Tiguan, the Peugeot 3008, Skoda Karoq, Volvo XC40 and Seat Ateca are all safe bets. Not exciting bets, mind, but dependable.

Love the way it looks? Then the Tucson doesn’t put a foot wrong, driving decently and brimming with well-implemented tech. Always bought Hyundais for their sensibility, and not so sure on the styling? Then rest assured the only thing longer than the equipment list is the warranty.

This fourth-gen SUV proves how broad shouldered Hyundai’s getting. The first Tucson was odd looking and not in an especially confident way, the two cars which followed it anonymous beyond belief, while this one is a real statement – a borderline essential approach to attracting any attention in the most saturated part of the car market. If former Tucson buyers don’t like it, then maybe that’s the point.