2021 Hyundai Tucson Review

The Hyundai Tucson is available in 5 colours:

• White Cream (No cost)
• Titan Gray ($595)
• Deep Sea ($595)
• Phantom Black ($595)
• Shimmering Silver ($595)

You can buy the Tucson Elite in the additional premium paint, Amazon Gray ($595) and the Highlander is available in Silky Bronze ($595)

Engine and performance

There are 2 different engines available in the Hyundai Tucson. A 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol.

Hyundai SmartStream G2.0 2.0-litre petrol engine

Hyundai uses this engine in the Hyundai Kona and some other ROW models like the Kia Optima.

The 4-cylinder, in-line 4 petrol engine is a non-force induction engine. The specs say it'll run on 91 RON petrol and that it is E10 compatible. Power reaches 115kW @ 6,200RPM, while torque maxes out at 192Nm, at 4,500rpm. Hyundai teams this engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai SmartStream G1.6 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine

The smaller engine, thanks to a turbocharger, puts out more power. While capacity is 1,598CC (compared to the 1,999CC atmo engine), peak power levels of 132kW open up at 5,500RPM. The maximum torque of 265Nm is available across a diesel-esque torque band from 1,500-4-500RPM. This engine uses a Hyundai Motor Group exclusive technology called Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD), which Hyundai claims translates to a 4% performance improvement, 5% better fuel use and a reduction in emissions by as much as 12%.

Car reviewers' impressions of the Hyundai Tucson engine and transmission line-up

All reviewers drove a 2.0-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine Tucson press car. It's fair to say that it didn't win them over. It was described as tolerable, slightly stagnated and sufficient. Most longed to drive the 1.6-litre turbo petrol or upcoming diesel.

One tester was shocked – in a positive way, though. After peeping at the performance specs, they admitted they weren't expecting the 2.0-litre to be all that assertive. However, it proved to be a reliable performer and they acknowledged that this level of power was ample for everyday drivers. However, that same tester did decide that the engine was a little stretched by higher-speed journeys. Another dubbed the 2.0-litre as the chink the Tucson's armour. They spoke of how they thought it was down on power and was a bit of a lazy engine.

Almost all of the testers wished to drive the more powerful 1.6 turbocharged petrol or the incoming diesel. Many also questioned why there would be no hybrid option for such a progressive and edgy looking car. According to some sources, Hyundai has ruled out a hybrid or PHEV vehicle for Australia, despite an RHD model already selling in the UK. In fact, in the UK, it appears you can't even buy a non-hybrid Tucson.

As part of a phased introduction of the Tucson, more engines are coming. A 1.6 turbo has already gone on sale since the initial launch and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel is due, according to some media outlets in July.

Hyundai Tucson engine and transmission figures

Hyundai Tucson fuel economy

Here's what each Hyundai Tucson model uses on fuel.

SmartStream G2.0-litre petrol

According to the brochure, the 2.0-litre Hyundai Tucson uses the following amounts of fuel:

• Combined: 8.1L/100km
• Urban: 11L/100km
• Extra: 6.5L/100km

The Green Vehicle Guide, a Government-backed fuel economy website, estimates driving 14,000km per year would cost approximately $1,630 in fuel. That's if you spend two-thirds of the time around town.

SmartStream G1.6-litre petrol

The turbocharged Hyundai Tucson engine has the following fuel economy figures:

• Combined: 7.2L/100km
• Urban: 8.8L/100km
• Extra: 6.3L/100km

So, what was the Hyundai Tucson like on fuel at the hands of car reviewers?

It's quite normal for fuel economy figures recorded by car reviewers to be higher than the brochure figures. A 1.0L/100km variation is not uncommon. One tester (driving the 2.0L Tucson) logged a fuel use of 8.9L/100km (versus 8.1L/100km). Another review commented they managed to get pretty close to the brochure figures and labelled the Tucson as on par for the class, without excelling.

Another registered high 6s on a freeway while one other expert saw numbers within 1.0L/100km. So the Tucson is very much in line with the wider car industry.

Handling

Most Australian market Hyundais go through local R&D to create a specific tune for Aussie roads (you can see the Hyundai localisation workflow here). For the Tucson, Hyundai instead opted to run the Tucson in an international set-up (though it has been tested locally). How did car reviewers judge this global tune then?

One reviewer said the Tucson holds up nicely here, in a hotly contested segment. They liked the steering sensation, which they described as communicative (meaning you can get a sense of what's happening under the wheels and on the road surface) and nicely balanced (meaning it didn't demand too much effort at low speeds or become too light at higher speeds). Another motoring expert backed this notion up when they said it met their expectations. They said it was comfortable to ride in and a competent handler. They commented that the Tucson held its composure at all times, even when driving over aggressively rutted ground. They said the Tucson soaked up what Australian roads threw at it admirably.

However, one reviewer longed for more from the Tucson's ride and handling. They felt, because of the global suspension set-up, it was a bit squishy and less optimised than it could have been. That tester stated they'd driven all the locally-tweaked Hyundais. They said it just wasn't as taught or quite as enjoyable as the others which have been given a workover by Hyundai's Australian engineering wing. According to the same reviewer, the quirks were most noticeable on country roads. They also suggested the steering wasn't direct and didn't offer as much feedback as they would like. They deemed the Tucson's turning circle to be on the wider end of the mid-size SUV market. In fairness, the motoring journo went on to say that even with these idiosyncrasies, they'd still buy the Tucson rather than a Nissan X-TRAIL or Mitsubishi Outlander.

The final motoring expert on the panel said the Tucson was reasonably comfortable and that the car handles well, but that it was on the firmer end of the spectrum. They surmised the steering was accurate and the handling was more than acceptable. Obviously, due to the nature of an SUV body, they said it wasn't sporty but that the steering was precise and immediate. The handling, according to this motoring press expert, was assuring.

Overall, the Tucson is not bad, but most testers said they were looking forward to trying the N-Line version of the Tucson, believing it would improve the good points further and minimise the imperfections. Another perhaps summed things up most effectively when they said that the Tucson was capable of more than any typical buyer would ever extract from it.

Interior and equipment

What's the interior of the Hyundai Tucson like?

According to one car reviewer, whichever trim you go for, the Tucson's interior is well built and charming. They also expressed that there were a few, miniscule cost-cutting measures, but overall, the passenger cabin was planned out admirably, felt comfortable and was well laid out. Some went as far as saying it can compete for best-in-class levels of quality. The 2021 model was labelled a major advancement over the last generation Tucson.

Reportedly, the dashboard and controls are simple and intuitive.

The Tucson reputedly is quiet and hushed, thanks to effective noise insulation. Wind noise and tyre roar are both kept nicely in check – one tester said there wasn't any up to a speed of 110km/h. That tester suggested the cabin ambience was another attribute that made the Tucson an ideal vehicle for long-distance journeys.

Another tester said the interior styling was in a different universe to the older car, with an air of luxury and the use of plenty of luxurious-feeling materials. However, this journo had some issues with the infotainment system. They said the entry-level screen was a little troublesome. Their smartphone (iPhone XS) wouldn't connect to Apple CarPlay wirelessly, but when they tried an iPhone 12 Pro, things worked exactly as they should.

Another tester commented that the UI was snappy and the infotainment screen was responsive. They also said it was well-designed, with the operator kept in mind throughout.

The larger screen fitted to Highlander-spec Tucsons was apparently more impressive to look at. One tester didn't like the larger screen, though, as it has an array of touch-sensitive switches which they said were tricky to use on bouncy roads.

The interior is reportedly very comfortable. The seats have ample padding and provide generous support. Ostensibly, there's ample seat adjustment too. Seats in the rear are also reputedly very accommodating. Testers described the dimensions as generous, meaning the cabin has plenty of room for passengers of all sizes. One writer went as far as saying there was an extraordinary amount of room for rear passengers. Another reviewer liked how open the cabin felt.

Practicality is a huge selling point for a mid-size SUV, a market that is popular with family buyers.

Recognising this, Hyundai has incorporated storage pockets, bins and cubbies throughout the cabin. Testers found there was more than enough room to store everyday items and essentials, with sufficient cup and bottle holders too. Those compartments and storage areas should help you keep the cabin looking smart and organised, even when heading off on a road trip.

The boot is another key consideration for family buyers. Boot volume measures 539-litres according to the brochure (with the seats in place). When you drop the seats forward, there are 1,860-litres at your disposal. That'll be handy for IKEA trips or visits to the garden centre.

That compares well to rivals like the Mazda CX-5, which has 442L (seats raised) and 1,342L (seats down), while the market-leader RAV4 boasts 580L.

A special mention was made for the Highlander-spec's Smart Tailgate. All you need to do is stand behind the car for 3 seconds and the boot opens, hands-free. That'll be extremely handy if you're carrying a kid and want to put some shopping in the back or allow your dog to jump in. Very convenient.

The interior is perhaps best summed up by one reviewer, who said it was a pleasant space to occupy.

Hyundai Tucson safety, security and driver assists

Hyundai Tucson interior and comfort features

Hyundai Tucson exterior highlights

Hyundai Tucson review: Verdict

The Hyundai Tucson is probably the most futuristic-looking mid-size SUV on sale right now. That styling might appeal to many, but reviewers seemed to suggest that the car wasn't quite as cutting-edge as the wrapper implies. However, the Tucson does everything to a very good level and it surpassed the expectations of testers in key areas. They described it as a real contender in a hotly contested segment.

If you're looking for a mid-size SUV, then you're definitely going to want to try the Hyundai Tucson – if not just to learn how it stacks up against rivals like the RAV4 and CX-5.

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Pictures: Hyundai