SEE YOU IN TUCSON? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Hyundai has big plans for this MK4 model Tucson. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the improved version of this model.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 48

Hyundai are aiming high with this fourth generation version of their stylish Tucson, a sharp-suited family mid-sized SUV aimed at the Qashqai-class. We're told it'll 'change the way you drive': this lightly improved version of this design certainly intends to change this Korean brand's fortunes in this sector.

Backgroundword count: 160

In an era where nearly a quarter of all European car buyers are looking at something from the SUV Crossover class, mainstream brands need to take this segment very seriously. Hyundai's doing just that with this car, the Tucson, this being the fourth generation 'NX4'-series model, hence reviewed in the updated form launched in Spring 2024, following this MK4 model's original introduction in 2020. Hyundai has been offering Crossovers in the mid-sized 'Qashqai'-class SUV 'C'-segment since the first generation 'JM'-series Tucson sold between 2004 and 2009. That contender was replaced by a far more competitive 'LM'-series model, which the brand chose to badge 'ix35' for Europe and which campaigned until the MK3 'TL'-series design made its debut in 2015, before being updated three years later. Very little was carried over from that MK3 model to this fourth generation one. Can this current, now much-improved car offer a genuine alternative to the established players in this sector? Time to find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 268

There are no engineering or handling changes to this lightly improved MK4 Tucson. as before, All versions of this model use some sort of 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine. In the base variant, this features in conventional form with 150PS and ordinary 6-speed manual transmission. Your dealer will urge you though, to find the small extra premium necessary to get this same 150PS engine with the brand's 48V mild hybrid tech and a 7DCT auto gearbox. Both these variants are front-driven. If you want a stronger dose of electrification in your Tucson, there are two full-fat Hybrid options, both of which comes as standard with a 6-speed DCT auto gearbox. The first is a self-charging full-Hybrid HEV variant, which is front-driven and uses that 1.6 T-GDi engine in 230PS form. Alternatively, you could go for the top Plug-in Hybrid PHEV variant, which can be had in both 2WD and 4WD forms and mates that 1.6 T-GDi engine to a 66.9kW electric motor for a total output of 265PS, yet can offer an all-electric driving range when fully charged of around 38 miles. The four-wheel drive PHEV models get a terrain control switch for optimal driving off-road, but obviously on-tarmac dynamics have been prioritised here, though as with the previous model, don't expect particularly involving handling. Customers are being offered a couple of suspension set-ups, with electronically-controlled adaptive dampers optional on high spec variants. These have two profiles, a softer setup for when the car is in its 'Normal' or 'Eco' drive modes. And a firmer one for when the 'Sport' mode is selected, which also firms up the steering.

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