Hyundai Tucson – 2022
By Ian Strachan.
The Hyundai Tucson compact SUV is one of the Korean company’s best-selling models in the UK. And deservedly so. It just keeps racking up awards.
The Tucson is well-established and has gained a deserved reputation for its versatility, high specification and class-leading safety features. Now its got better with a hybrid version of this reliable SUV.
I test drove the Tucson in Ultimate T-GDi hybrid spec, linking Hyundai’s excellent 1.6 petrol engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. This four-wheel-drive set-up is both pleasant to drive and – thanks to the electric motor – frugal for its size and power. The 230 bhp engine delivers 49.6 miles to the gallon in mixed driving.
Performance is impressive for a large car, with a 0-60 mph time below eight seconds and a top speed, where allowed, of 120 mph. Handling is stable and smooth, with no body roll.
The host of safety features on the Tucson includes blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and assist and a rear cross-traffic detection system as well as downhill brake control and all-round airbags.
The Tucson Ultimate 1.6 T-GDi 230ps hybrid automatic comes in at £37,195 on the road which isn’t cheap, but this car is extremely well-equipped.
The interior of the Tucson is light, pleasant and spacious, particularly with its panoramic electric sunroof. Load carrying capacity is excellent, and can be improved still further by dropping down the split rear seats, which gives you a flat loading floor.
Equipment is impressive, with remote central locking with keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone air conditioning , all-round electric windows, cruise control, all-round parking aids with rear camera, touch screen satellite navigation with traffic messaging, DAB radio and MP3/Bluetooth compatibility.
You also get 19 inch alloy wheels, roof rails, heated and ventilated front seats, automatic headlight and wipers, heated steering wheel, front fog lights and steering wheel-mounted controls
This being a Hyundai, it comes with their five year 100,000 warranty. This is a great peace-of-mind package which, sooner or later, all manufacturers are going to have to match or exceed.
I enjoyed the latest Tucson, which moves this popular compact SUV further up choice lists.
