Hyundai Tucson
Ratings
3 stars
Summary
Average. A compact SUV that majors on price and equipment.
Review
Another of Hyundai's increasingly impressive family of SUVs, the entry-level Tucson is intended for those looking for off-road kudos on a tight budget.
The design features rather too many cues from the previous generation Santa Fe, itself no oil painting, but the Tucson's compact dimensions mean that it looks far less brutish than hulking big off-roaders. The cabin is nicely designed and standard equipment is excellent, including both air conditioning and an electric sunroof, but lots of the materials feel a bit cheap and shiny compared to more upmarket rivals.
It's practical, too. Rear seat legroom is a bit tight for adults, but there is more than enough for kids, while the nice, big boot is easy to access.
Dynamic performance is relatively underwhelming. The Tucson drives poorly over anything other than completely smooth road surfaces thanks to a sometimes bouncy ride. Refinement is disappointing, too, with lots of wind and road noise getting into the cabin at motorway cruising speeds. The steering also feels slightly disconnected which, in conjunction with low grip levels, means that more rapid progress is better not attempted.
Three engines are available. The entry-level 2.0 litre petrol gives respectable performance and decent fuel economy - although we can't quite see the point of the base two-wheel drive version. The 2.7 litre V6 drives through a standard automatic gearbox and is thirsty and barely faster. The 2.0 CRDT diesel gets loud under hard use, but delivers determined performance and respectable fuel economy.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
3 star
Thoroughly inoffensive visuals give the Tucson a far less aggressive image than more gung-ho rivals.
Handling
2 star
Sloppy on-road manners let the Tucson down - it doesn't feel anything like as sharp to drive as the best of its rivals.
Comfort
3 star
The cabin is spacious and the driving position is comfortable enough, but poor refinement means lots of noise at higher cruising speeds.
Quality & Reliability
3 star
Well constructed and backed up by a five-year warranty, but you won't find many nice-feeling plastics in the cheap interior.
Performance
2 star
2.0 litre petrol engine is brisk enough, although it sounds a bit coarse when revved. 2.7 V6 is expensive, thirsty and barely faster. The 2.0 litre diesel sounds agricultural but delivers decent urge.
Roominess
4 star
There's plenty of room in the front and kids will be more than happy in the rear. Boot is impressively commodious, too.
Running Costs
3 star
Low cost servicing and respectable fuel economy for the 2.0 litre petrol and diesel engines make the Tucson one of the better value SUVs, but poor residual values mean it could still end up quite expensive to own.
Value for money
4 star
Generous standard equipment means that cheaper versions offer plenty of value, although the V6 is too expensive for the modest improvement it offers in performance.
