Hyundai Tucson (2024-) Review

Introduction

The Hyundai Tucson has been nothing but a success story for Hyundai, having taken the turgid ix35 and turned it into one of the most popular family SUVs on the market. The latest version has only reaffirmed that status, pushing the Tucson forward with its futuristic design and more appealing in-car technology, as well as hybrid power.

But though the Tucson still looks and feels modern, Hyundai has given its golden goose something of a mid-life facelift, cleaning up a few exterior wrinkles and pumping a little botox into the interior. The basic recipe remains unchanged, then, but minor tweaks see the newcomer move the game on a bit. The question is, will Hyundai have moved the goalposts enough to keep rival brands’ much newer products from scoring some new customers?

At a Glance

The new Tucson doesn’t look all that different from its predecessor, but those who look closely might spot the slightly altered grille and the new bumpers, which are designed to accentuate the car’s width. If we’re honest, though, you’ll probably need to see the two cars side by side to tell the differences between them.

The cabin, however, has been changed more significantly, with a new two-screen display that stretches across half the dashboard, and a new steering wheel. The display combines a digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen, with a little shelf underneath against which drivers can brace their hands to use the screen more accurately.

It’s a modern design, and the interior is spacious, as well as being incredibly well built. Some of the materials might not be all that premium, but they are well bolted together, and every piece of switchgear feels tidily engineered.

But arguably the biggest draw of the Tucson is the range of propulsion systems on offer. You can have petrol, mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Tucson, with varying levels of power available from each one. Each one will be more or less suited to each customer’s lifestyle, and the secret will be picking the one that works for you.

Whichever version you choose, the Tucson will be a comfortable, easy-to-drive companion that’s brilliant on a long motorway drive and perfectly capable in town. The hybrid systems are nicely refined, and the car handles pretty well for a family SUV.

Key Features

Design has long been key to the Tucson’s appeal, and the new model may not look that different, but it has simply built on the smart styling that made the outgoing version so popular. The way the fractured lights integrate with the front grille, the way the roofline merges with the tailgate, and the shape of the arches give the car a modern, cool look. And it’s accentuated by the N Line and N Line S trim levels, which add some sporty styling to the mixture. That gives the Tucson a real look of intent, without reducing the classiness of the ultra-modern bodywork.

But for all the style, it’s substance that makes a car great, and the Tucson’s mechanical underpinnings ensure the appeal is more than skin deep. There’s a choice of petrol and hybrid powertrains, offering customers a choice of models to suit their lifestyles. There’s no diesel, which might be a pity for some, but there’s still plenty of choice for those wanting to tailor the Hyundai to their needs. The plug-in hybrid, for example, will suit those who mostly do short journeys, while the mild and full hybrids will be better suited to those carrying out more long-distance drives. 

Range & Batteries

Plug-in hybrid versions of the Tucson come with a 13.8kWh battery that’s beginning to look rather small as electrified vehicle tech improves. However, it’s still sufficient for an official range of around 40 miles on a single charge, which isn’t bad going. Certainly, it’s enough for short commutes, school runs and shopping trips, so if you can charge at home, you won’t have to use the petrol engine very much. The problem is that most customers will struggle to achieve that range in the real world, with 30-35 miles looking more attainable in everyday use. Still, that isn’t terrible – especially from an SUV with a relatively small battery – and for those who only do a handful of local journeys from Monday to Friday and access to a charging point at home, it’ll be ample.

Performance & Drive

Part of the Tucson’s appeal is the choice of engines available, allowing the Hyundai to suit any lifestyle or budget. The slight — and we mean very slight — catch with that is the complexity of the line-up, although things have been simplified a bit since the old Tucson was launched.

By that, we mean there’s no diesel option on offer now, so customers will be forced to opt for petrol power, albeit with varying levels of electrical assistance. The basic 1.6-litre petrol engine, however, has no hybrid assistance of any kind, but it still offers 160hp. That goes to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, allowing a 0-62mph time of 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 121mph.

Those who want an automatic transmission, on the other hand, will have to go for one of the mild-hybrid options, which essentially have a glorified stop-start system with which they can save more fuel. Like the basic petrol engine, they’re 1.6-litre motors with 48-volt hybrid systems, and they have the same 160hp output as their cheaper, manual sibling, as well as vaguely similar performance figures. The mild hybrid, though, comes with a seven-speed automatic gearbox as standard and the option of all-wheel drive.

But for those seeking more power, the choice is a simple one. Go for the 215hp full hybrid, which combines that 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 60hp electric motor, six-speed automatic gearbox and a choice of front- or all-wheel-drive layouts, or opt for the 252hp plug-in hybrid, which gets — you guessed it — a 1.6-litre petrol engine, a 91hp electric motor and a 13.8kWh rechargeable battery, as well as a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

Choosing between them will largely come down to budgets and lifestyle, because none of them change the way the Tucson drives that dramatically. Sure, the full hybrids and plug-in hybrids are a bit quicker — they all get from 0-62mph in around eight seconds — but they don’t really effect the car’s composure on the road.

On a motorway, the Tucson is a very amiable companion, riding smoothly and subtly as it soaks up the bumps, while its dimensions are just about small enough to prevent it from feeling too tricky on narrow lanes or in town. And though the steering is a little bit lifeless, the Tucson is agile enough to provide a little enjoyment on a country road, even if it never really encourages hooliganism.

Charging

Because the plug-in hybrid Tucson’s battery is fairly small, charging shouldn’t be a problem. There’s no point using public rapid and ultra-rapid charging points – they’re only really for fully electric vehicles anyway – but you can charge on slower charging points and domestic ‘wallbox’ charging units more cost-effectively. And you can still do it fairly quickly. Use a home charging wallbox and you won’t have any trouble filling the Tucson’s battery overnight, giving you a full charge for the following day.

Running Costs & Emissions

The cost-effectiveness of the Tucson will largely depend on which version you pick and how well it suits your lifestyle. Many customers – particularly company car drivers – will be tempted by the plug-in hybrid, which will undoubtedly be more efficient for those who mostly do short journeys within the battery’s range. If all you do most days is pop to the shops, do the school run and maybe a short commute, you’ll find yourself using very little fuel at all. But if all your journeys are longer, you’ll be carrying the battery around for very little gain, and a hybrid might be a better bet.

Officially, the hybrid will do around 50mpg in its most efficient, two-wheel-drive form, and our test suggested such economy would be relatively easily achieved on a long drive, especially with a bit of urban motoring thrown in. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth considering the mild-hybrid option, which is much less efficient around town but similarly economical overall, or even the conventional petrol option, which is much cheaper and can still manage more than 40mpg. In short, no Tucson will be too thirsty, but it’s worth crunching the numbers to work out which one suits your lifestyle best.

Interior & Technology

Hyundai has changed the Tucson’s cabin quite noticeably with the arrival of the new model, with the focus being on the new curved housing that incorporates the touchscreen and digital instrument display, both of which are standard across the Tucson range. 

The touchscreen technology is tried and tested, and drivers of other current Hyundai vehicles will probably feel fairly familiar with it, but the South Korean manufacturer didn’t need to reinvent its operating system. The Tucson’s display is clean, easy to use and quick to respond, making it much more user friendly than many of its rivals’ screens.

That said, it doesn’t have as much to do as some, because Hyundai has resisted the urge to hide the climate control switchgear in there. Instead, there are proper rotary dials for adjusting the temperature and a bank of touch-sensitive buttons, which is a much cleaner and more user-friendly way of doing things.

Combine that with the intuitive steering wheel switchgear and the clear digital instrument cluster, and you’re left with a really ergonomic cabin, although the steering column-mounted gear selector is a little awkward. But that’s a minor complaint in what is otherwise a neatly constructed and well thought out interior.

Practicality & Boot Space

Because the Tucson is far from the smallest car in its class, it has plenty of space on board, and that’s particularly true in the front. The seats have lots of adjustment, so getting comfortable is nice and easy, and there’s plenty of headroom and elbow room. In the back, meanwhile, there’s adequate space for two adults to sit comfortably, with sufficient legroom and headroom for even fairly tall passengers. Fitting a third passenger between the two might not be so easy, though, because that seat is pretty narrow.

Boot space, meanwhile, rather depends on which version of the Tucson you choose. Lease a standard petrol model and you get 620 litres of luggage space, which is a huge amount. But the mild hybrid cuts that down to 577 litres and the plug-in hybrid drops the space even further to 558 litres. The hybrid, however, still manages more than 600 litres of space, somehow. Whatever, the boot size does change slightly depending on the powertrain, although all versions are pretty roomy for cars in this class, and few customers will complain about the space available.

Safety

Because the Tucson has only been lightly refreshed – at least in terms of bodywork and architecture – the car inherits the same Euro NCAP crash test rating as its predecessor. And that’s no bad thing, because the outgoing car fared pretty well, with solid scores across the board ensuring it achieved a maximum five-star rating when it was tested in 2021.

As before, the new Tucson supplements that crashworthiness with a fleet of gizmos to help ensure you never have to test its mettle. Or indeed its metal. The usual features, such as autonomous emergency braking that can slow or stop the car if the driver doesn’t react to a hazard, are joined by some updated technology, including navigation-based ‘smart’ cruise control that can slow for curves automatically, and crosswind stability control that works against crosswinds when driving at high speed by applying slight braking and steering inputs.

Generally speaking, Hyundai’s safety tech is pretty good, although the speed limit warning technology can get a bit irritating. Turning it off normally involves hunting through the touchscreen, and it has to be done every time you start the car, but we suggest using the handy ‘star’ button on the steering wheel, which can be programmed to bring up the safety page on the touchscreen. Then you can switch off the systems you dislike more easily.

Options

The Tucson is not just available in a choice of powertrains, but a choice of five different trim levels. The basic option is called Advance, and although it sits at the foot of the range, it comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and a reversing camera, as well as the big central touchscreen, two-zone climate control and digital instrument display. Front and rear parking sensors, automatic windscreen wipers and wireless phone charging are all thrown in, too. But if you step up to the Premium trim, you can add heated front and rear seats, part-leather upholstery and larger 18-inch alloy wheels to the formula, not to mention tinted rear windows.

Alternatively, you can go for the N Line trim with its part-microsuede trim, sporty styling and sports pedals, or the N Line S that adds a head-up display, a panoramic glass sunroof and ventilated front seats, as well as 19-inch alloy wheels and a 360-degree maoeuvring camera. But the pinnacle of the range is the Ultimate, which gets much of the same equipment as the N Line S, but adds a more premium feel with full leather upholstery and an exterior design that’s more upmarket than sporty.

Once you’ve chosen the trim level that’s right for you, you can set about the options list, which is more or less limited to exterior paint colours. Solid red is standard, while the colour palette includes a host of metallic hues including a bold orange, a ruby red and a pearl green. It’s quite a dark selection by and large, but there are some proper colours in there alongside the more conventional blacks, silvers, whites and greys, and that’s to be commended.

Rival Cars

The Hyundai’s size and shape put it firmly into the family SUV market, and that’s a big pond full of big fish. Chief among which is the Kia Sportage, a close relative of the Tucson, which challenges with a modern design and a cool cabin, as well as a near-identical range of petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It’s a great car, and it’s hugely popular as a result.

But it’s far from the only great SUV out there. The Nissan Qashqai is still a massive hit with customers thanks to its solidity and comfort, while the Ford Kuga has excelled with its handling and style. The Renault Austral is a cool, efficient and left-field choice, too, while the Volkswagen Tiguan is a spacious, solid choice with a semi-premium badge. Similarly, the Seat Leon and Skoda Karoq are twin products that come with classy cabins and a smart sense of style, as well as some really solid engine options.

And there are other options out there, including the comfy, cool-looking Peugeot 3008, the soft, cushy Citroen C5 Aircross and the efficient, reliable Toyota RAV4. You could also go for the fabulous, great-to-drive Mazda CX-5, which also benefits from a quasi-premium interior.

But if semi-premium isn’t quite up your street, you can always opt for one of the ‘proper’ premium alternatives, such as the Scandi-cool Volvo XC40 and the sharply styled BMW X1. Or you could choose the comfortable and classy Mercedes-Benz GLA, or even the Audi Q3, with its brilliantly made cabin and cool image. Lexus makes the efficient NX SUV, too, which is well worth considering for those who value a well-made and high-tech family SUV, or you could even consider the popular, timelessly designed Range Rover Evoque.

Verdict & Next Steps

Though the external changes are minor, the internal changes have kept the car feeling as fresh and as modern as ever, which should help Hyundai keep the Tucson ahead of the competition for a while yet. Although it may not be the most exciting SUV on the market, the Tucson is certainly one of the most complete, and with a choice of different powertrains, it offers something for pretty much any customer. And that makes it very hard to beat.

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the Hyundai Tucson.

**Correct as of 20/11/2024. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 24 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £2,253.51 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.