Fourth generation Tucson enhances Hyundai’s local line-up

Hyundai’s Tucson might be the most mispronounced vehicle name in South Africa, but that has never influenced its popularity.

A core product for Hyundai, this mid-sized SUV is now in its fourth-generation. After some pandemic supply chain issues, the latest Tucson is now available to South African customers and combines generous equipment levels with some daring design details.

For years, Hyundai marketed very reliable vehicles, featuring rather conservative design. That all changed when the Kona was revealed. Since then, the brand’s design language is now a lot edgier.

An aggressive grille, advanced headlights and dual-triangular shaped taillights all combine to give the Tucson a distance appearance.

Bigger cabin with many charging ports

Inside, designers have toned down the bold design principles to accommodate superior ergonomics. And as with all Korean vehicles, Tucson has excellent infotainment and device-synching, with comprehensive Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

Charging options are ample, too. Your Smartphone can recharge on the wireless induction pad. Below the centre stack. And there are front and rear USB ports, too, for charging additional devices.

Hyundai’s stretched the Tucson by 150mm, with an 85mm greater wheelbase as part of its size increase. That helps improve the cabin architecture’s roominess and delivers 539-litres of luggage capacity – a gain of 51-litres, over the third-generation vehicle.

Potent turbodiesel option – but a very mild petrol engine

Although some rival products – such as VW’s Tiguan and the Toyota Rav4 – have foregone diesel engines, Hyundai still believes in compression-ignition. The Tucson offers a 2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, boosting 137kW and 416Nm.

Drive is to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and performance is fair, as opposed to brisk. Tucson is capable of 0-100kph in 9.2 seconds. The turbodiesel Tucson is credited with 7.9l/100km fuel consumption. As fuel prices surge, this is something of merit for potential owners, who drive significant distances.

Hyundai’s 2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine offers quite a bit less. Regarding engine outputs (115kW/192Nm) and transmission (it has two fewer gears).

The Tucson petrol’s six-speed automatic transmission has a habit of over-shifting. Engaging gears when you don’t really expect or prompt it too, as the transmission attempts to balance road gradients and throttle position, with the petrol engine’s relatively high torque peak.

The most expensive one – is your best option

Standard safety equipment for all Tucsons includes six airbags. And Hyundai’s  very substantial aftersales commitment tallies a 7-year/200 000km warranty and 6-year/90 000km service plan.

Pricing for the fourth-generation Tucson starts at R519 900 for an entry-level petrol version. The most luxurious 2-litre petrol Tucson is R634 900.

Hyundai’s sole turbodiesel Tucson is priced at R699 900 – and unquestionably the one to have.