Korean carmaker Hyundai has been the most aggressive automobile manufacturer when it comes to new car launches in the last few months. The new generation Creta was launched just at the onset of the nationwide lockdown in March which was followed by the arrival of the new Verna. Now the company has launched a facelift of its flagship premium SUV, the Tucson, in the market. It is one of the best-selling SUVs across the world with over 6.5 million cars hitting the roads since 2004 when it was first introduced. The car in its current generation was first launched in India in 2016 and now a facelift has arrived keeping in tune with the demands of the consumer.
Looks
When it comes to dimensions the Tucson is certainly not as big as some other SUVs sold in the segment but that is exactly what makes it a bigger fit in the urban space. Styling is also apart with the signature cascade design chrome front grille and penta projector LED headlamps along with LED DRLs and LED tail lamps enhancing the premium nature of the car. Then there are the new 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels and twin chrome exhausts which add to the sporty appeal.
Interiors
The cabin gets all black interiors, something that you may not be used to seeing in the segment. The leather stitched dashboard gives a rich premium feel to the cabin. The list of features is long and many of these are first-in-segment. These include power adjustable front seats. There’s an Infinity premium sound system that gets 8 speakers along with hands free power tailgate and wireless charger to name a few. Apart from this the new Tucson also gets a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control with rear AC vents and electronic parking brake which add to the comfort and convenience.
Connectivity
The new Tucson is the first vehicle in its segment to be offered with a connected car technology. The “Hyundai BlueLink” allows to remotely lock/unlock the car and even start the engine or AC using a smartphone or a smart watch. The vehicle can also be tracked down & immobilised with just a touch of a button. The broad categories into which Blue Link features are divided are safety, security, remote, VRM, geo fencing and alert services. The car also gets a new floating type 20.32 cm touch screen infotainment system that is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay while voice recognition is also offered. Voice can be used for calling, point of interest search, getting weather details, knowing time/ date, controlling media and maps and asking for help.
Engine
The new Tucson has been introduced with both Diesel and Petrol engine options but both only get automatic transmissions. The 2.0 litre diesel engine churns out 185 PS which makes the Tucson the most powerful car in the segment. A new 8-speed transmission is being offered here. The 2.0 litre petrol, on the other hand, gets a 6-speed transmission and at 152 PS is also not as powerful as the diesel. The car also gets driver aid features like advanced traction cornering control and various drive modes. The diesel variant also gets a 4-wheel drive system.
Safety
Hyundai says the new Tucson has strong body structure with generous usage of advanced high strength steel for a lighter yet highly rigid body shell. The car also gets as many as 6 airbags, and it also gets some electronic safety features for enhanced braking performance and directional stability. These include intelligent traction control with electronic stability control and vehicle stability management. Apart from this, some other safety features in the car are hillassist for ascent and descent and the newly introduced tyre-pressure monitoring system.
Price
The prices announced by Hyundai for the new Tucson are introductory. The two petrol variants are priced at Rs 22.30 lakh and 23.52 lakh (ex-showroom). The three diesel options start at Rs 24.25 lakh and go up to Rs 27.03 lakh (ex-showroom) for the fully loaded 4WD variant. Hyundai is also presenting an assurance programme on the car which offers three years or 30,000 km free maintenance, Blue Link/map subscription and roadside assistance. Based on their runs, customers can also choose from various warranty options that range from 3 years/unlimited km to 5 years /50,000 km.
The writer is Senior Editor at carandbike.com.