The new Hyundai Tucson is arguably one of
the most striking new SUVs revealed this year, thanks to the carmaker’s
‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language. The sharp exterior design of the new
Tucson is accompanied by a completely revamped interior that’s nothing short of
a radical departure over the outgoing model; the lines of the dashboard blend
seamlessly with the door cards while the center console does away with physical
knobs and buttons.
The 10.25-inch instrument cluster is left
uncovered to boost the feeling of openness inside while the infotainment system
also uses a 10.25-inch display and features the latest version of Hyundai’s
Bluelink connected services. The controls for the HVAC are all operated by
touch while new indirect air vents are combined with the classic directional
ones for gentler airflow.
The European range of the new Hyundai
Tucson will include no fewer than five electrified powertrain options, as well
as one petrol and one diesel, offering the broadest selection of electrified
powertrains in the compact SUV segment. Hyundai will also introduce a
range-topping plug-in hybrid variant in 2021 based on the 1.6-liter T-GDI
petrol with a combined output of 261 HP. The range kicks off with the
petrol 1.6-liter T-GDI with 147 HP and the diesel 1.6-liter CRDi with
113 HP. Then we get to the mild-hybrid 48-volt variants, which include
the petrol 1.6-liter T-GDI in 147 HP and 177 HP versions, and
the diesel 1.6-liter CRDi with 134 HP.
At launch, the most powerful Tucson in the
range will be the hybrid 1.6-liter T-GDI HEV, which combines the turbocharged
petrol engine with a 59 HP electric motor and a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer
battery for a system output of 226 HP. The hybrid Tucson will be
offered with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional four-wheel-drive.
In fact, most powertrains will be offered
with optional four-wheel-drive, which has become something of a rarity in the
segment. Mild-hybrid petrol models will come fitted with the company’s
six-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) as standard, while a
seven-speed dual-clutch automatic will be an option.
Hyundai’s Intelligent Manual Transmission
in the Tucson is newly developed for electrified applications, allowing the
engine to decouple from the transmission when the driver depresses the
accelerator while driving at a constant speed, enabling the vehicle to coast
and improve fuel efficiency. The gear remains engaged with the engine turned
off and it restarts in the same gear thanks to the power provided by the
mild-hybrid system.
