By Ian Strachan.
The Hyundai Tucson compact SUV is in one of the most fiercely competitive automotive sectors, but with good hybrid performance, lots of technology, a smart interior and a range of engine options it more than holds its own.
The Tucson is one of the Korean company’s best-selling models in the UK. Now it’s got better with a new front-end, smart interior re-design, increased practicality, upgraded suspension and a wealth of technology.
The Tucson is well-established and has gained a deserved reputation for its versatility, high specification and build quality. It comes with three hybrid options of a hybrid to help fuel consumption and reduce emissions, and can be two or four wheel drive.
I test drove the Tucson in N Line S hybrid spec, linking Hyundai’s excellent 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor and a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. This version is both pleasant to drive and – thanks to the electric motor – frugal for its size and power. The 215 bhp engine delivers more than adequate power throughout the range and rarely feels pressured.
Performance is impressive for a large car and handling is stable and smooth, despite a relatively soft suspension set-up.
The host of safety features on the Tucson includes blind-spot monitoring with cameras, smart cruise control with speed limiter, lane departure warning and assist, and a rear cross-traffic detection system as well as downhill brake control, forward collision avoidance system and all-round airbags.
The Tucson N Line S hybrid automatic comes in at £41,320 on the road which isn’t cheap compared with some of its rivals, but this car is extremely well-equipped. The range starts at £33,080.
The interior of the Tucson is light, pleasant and spacious, particularly with its panoramic tilt and slide electric sunroof and re-designed dashboard with a 12.3 inch widescreen navigation and infotainment screen and a similar-sized instrument cluster. 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. There’s more storage below the boot floor. The rear tailgate is powered.
Equipment is impressive, with remote central locking with keyless entry and ignition, three-zone air conditioning with touch-sensitive controls, all-round electric windows, all-round parking aids with rear camera, eight-speaker premium audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth compatibility and a wireless phone charging pad.
You also get 19 inch alloy wheels, roof rails, heated and ventilated front seats, automatic headlights and wipers, heated steering wheel, front fog lights and steering wheel-mounted controls
This being a Hyundai, it comes with their five year unlimited mileage 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 2025 Tucson, which moves this popular compact SUV further up choice lists.
