 "Hyundai Tucson: Grit with gloss")
It's no secret that the sports utility vehicle (SUV) space in India is rapidly growing in terms of domestic demand. In order to tap the segment between the Creta and the Santa Fe from its stable Hyundai has introduced the Tucson (pronounced too-saw). It comes in the premium SUV segment, but at a lower price band.
The all-new Hyundai Tucson comes with two engine options: Nu 2.0 litre petrol and R 2.0 litre diesel. While the petrol is based on a dual VTVT engine technology, the diesel is based on an e-VGT engine technology. Both these models also have a further option of a manual as well as an automatic version. Of the two, the diesel model is more powerful.
I got my hands on the diesel automatic top-end variant and took it for a short spin in and around Chandigarh. Like so many SUVs already present in the country, the Tucson too is smart looking. But it scores high on the exterior styling front, be it the hexagonal grille, dual barrel LED headlamps and fog lamps with LED DRL. Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design is very evident on the Tucson. Further, the chrome door handles with pocket lighting, chrome finish beltline,R 18 diamond cut alloy wheels, twin chrome exhausts peeping out from the rear bottom, roof rails, shark fin antenna and sporty spoiler with LED stop lamps make the Tucson a good-looking vehicle. The vehicle is made of high-strength steel, thereby ensuring that you are safe in the vehicle while driving.
The good looks on the outside simply extend to the interiors in the form of premium fit and finish. The two-tone beige and back combination with leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel exude chic-class. Apart from enough storage spaces and generous leg room both in front and rear, there are these chrome-tip controls on door armrests. Like in all premium cars, this one too has leather console arm rest with storage. Interestingly, the middle seat in the rear comes with a three-point safety belt which is not very common among cars in this segment.
It’s definitely a driver’s car, as the driver seat is the only one which has a 10-way adjustable power driver seat. The dual-zone climate control, with cluster ioniser (this keeps the car environment clean), rear AC vents, luggage screen for the boot area, auto folding ORVMs, compass on inside rear view mirror as well as smart key and push button makes the Tucson a lot premium in its offerings.
The vehicle also comes with a smart infotainment system, a 4+2 speaker entertainment system, Apple car play as well as Android auto connectivity, smart HD audio video navigation with voice recognition and steering mounted audio and Bluetooth controls.
Driving the car on the highways of Chandigarh revealed the brute side of the car when it came to power. The diesel mill churned out tremendous torque and power, which the turbo kicked in around the 2,000 rpm range, lifting the car into speed mode. There are two drive modes, ECO and Sport, which change the dynamics of the car to a great extent while driving. The NVH levels are very good in this car and it handled well in some of the hilly terrains of the region. Ride and handling too scores high on this vehicle.
In short, the all new Hyundai Tucson scores high on several fronts, be it looks, performance and comfort. For all those who need to rough it out with this premium SUV, they need to wait a bit more – a 4-wheel drive Tucson is just round the corner. But then it would have to tweak its ground clearance too, which is currently at 172mm.
Report: Motown India; www.motownindia.com
The all-new Hyundai Tucson comes with two engine options: Nu 2.0 litre petrol and R 2.0 litre diesel. While the petrol is based on a dual VTVT engine technology, the diesel is based on an e-VGT engine technology. Both these models also have a further option of a manual as well as an automatic version. Of the two, the diesel model is more powerful.
I got my hands on the diesel automatic top-end variant and took it for a short spin in and around Chandigarh. Like so many SUVs already present in the country, the Tucson too is smart looking. But it scores high on the exterior styling front, be it the hexagonal grille, dual barrel LED headlamps and fog lamps with LED DRL. Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design is very evident on the Tucson. Further, the chrome door handles with pocket lighting, chrome finish beltline,R 18 diamond cut alloy wheels, twin chrome exhausts peeping out from the rear bottom, roof rails, shark fin antenna and sporty spoiler with LED stop lamps make the Tucson a good-looking vehicle. The vehicle is made of high-strength steel, thereby ensuring that you are safe in the vehicle while driving.
The good looks on the outside simply extend to the interiors in the form of premium fit and finish. The two-tone beige and back combination with leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel exude chic-class. Apart from enough storage spaces and generous leg room both in front and rear, there are these chrome-tip controls on door armrests. Like in all premium cars, this one too has leather console arm rest with storage. Interestingly, the middle seat in the rear comes with a three-point safety belt which is not very common among cars in this segment.
It’s definitely a driver’s car, as the driver seat is the only one which has a 10-way adjustable power driver seat. The dual-zone climate control, with cluster ioniser (this keeps the car environment clean), rear AC vents, luggage screen for the boot area, auto folding ORVMs, compass on inside rear view mirror as well as smart key and push button makes the Tucson a lot premium in its offerings.
The vehicle also comes with a smart infotainment system, a 4+2 speaker entertainment system, Apple car play as well as Android auto connectivity, smart HD audio video navigation with voice recognition and steering mounted audio and Bluetooth controls.
Driving the car on the highways of Chandigarh revealed the brute side of the car when it came to power. The diesel mill churned out tremendous torque and power, which the turbo kicked in around the 2,000 rpm range, lifting the car into speed mode. There are two drive modes, ECO and Sport, which change the dynamics of the car to a great extent while driving. The NVH levels are very good in this car and it handled well in some of the hilly terrains of the region. Ride and handling too scores high on this vehicle.
In short, the all new Hyundai Tucson scores high on several fronts, be it looks, performance and comfort. For all those who need to rough it out with this premium SUV, they need to wait a bit more – a 4-wheel drive Tucson is just round the corner. But then it would have to tweak its ground clearance too, which is currently at 172mm.
HYUNDAI TUCSON
Engine: Diesel-1,995 cc
Torque: 400 Nm@1,750- 2,750 rpm
Max power: 182.5hp@4,000 rpm
Transmission (2 WD): 6-speed auto
Price: Rs 24.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Report: Motown India; www.motownindia.com