Hyundai Tucson facelift [Malaysia]

Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors has finally introduced the Hyundai Tucson facelift, and it’s available in two trims, 2.0L Elegance and 1.6L Turbo. Pricing starts from RM 123,888 for the entry-level model, whereas the turbocharged variant costs RM 143,888. Both are on-the-road prices excluding insurance.

New to the C-segment SUV is the revised front fascia. Besides the new bumper, the 2.0L Elegance gets a metallic silver cascading grille and halogen projector headlights, whereas the 1.6L Turbo gets a chromed grille with dual-projector LED headlights (with positioning and cornering lamps), chrome door handles with LED pocket lighting and LED tail lights. Both variants sit on the same 17-inch wheels.

Inside, the dashboard has been completely redesigned with a seven-inch freestanding infotainment display (supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) that’s positioned above the newly-designed central air vents. However, the centre stack below that remains unchanged, so there’s still the dual-zone climate control, USB and auxiliary inputs, as well as a 12-volt socket.

There’s a new leather seat design, but unique to the 1.6L Turbo are an electronic parking brake, electrochromic rear-view mirror, an eight-way powered driver seat with two-way lumbar support, a 4.2-inch multi-info display and a leather-wrapped dashboard.

As for engines, the 1.6 litre T-GDI unit produces 177 PS and 265 Nm of torque, which is the same as the pre-facelift model we have now. The engine is exclusively mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The non-turbo variant retains the existing 2.0 litre naturally-aspirated Nu MPi mill producing 155 PS and 192 Nm, and it gets a six-speed automatic.

Safety-wise, both Tucson models come with the usual gamut of features, starting with ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, Hill-Assist Control, Downhill Brake Control, Brake Assist and Vehicle Stability Management. The 2.0L Elegance has just two airbags and rear parking sensors, whereas the 1.6L Turbo gets upgraded to six airbags and comes with additional front sensors.