South Korean carmaker Hyundai is on a roll. Industry critics are likely to agree that it has been a while since the brand released a model that earned less than favourable comment.
In recent memory, the offerings from the brand have been praiseworthy. From the plucky i20 N-Line, to the fire-breathing Kona N crossover, this is a manufacturer that has come a long way since the days of the dinky Accent and bland Elantra.
We recently had a go in the latest Tucson sport-utility vehicle. There is no dearth of options in the crowded C-segment in which it competes. Rivals included the Volkswagen Tiguan, Opel Grandland, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage.
On the face of it, the Tucson avoids blending into the periphery thanks to a rather expressive styling character. Its most compelling angle is its front-end; following in the footsteps of daring siblings such as the larger Santa Fe. An intricate grille (with lighting elements inset) is flanked by illuminated slits for headlamps.
Down the side, the Tucson is endowed with aggressive pleating that seems to echo a Lamborghini Urus flavour, while its rear lights boast more than a hint of Ford Mustang inspiration. It might sound disjointed on paper, but the execution is cohesive in the flesh.
Overall, the Tucson is a confidence-inspiring and relaxing steer. It does not claim to be outwardly sporty or dynamic, but its road manners are undoubtedly tidy, with controls that are assuredly weighted.
The interior is takes a more sombre approach in contrast. Its fascia is minimalist, with a square centre stack taking main stage. Touch-sensitive pictograms replace conventional buttons in certain areas. The four-spoke steering wheel is thick-rimmed and, in the Elite model we tested, features a heating function which is delightful on those frosty Johannesburg mornings.
Leather-upholstered front seats also sport heating elements as well as cooling facilities. A fully digitised instrument cluster makes for easy legibility and command of all relevant information. Elite specification also brings a raft of driver assistance systems. Blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision alert, lane-keeping assist as well as adaptive cruise control with lane-tracking mean it ticks key boxes on the semi-autonomous front.
Overall, the Tucson is a confidence-inspiring and relaxing steer. It does not claim to be outwardly sporty or dynamic, but its road manners are undoubtedly tidy, with controls that are assuredly weighted. A MacPherson strut at the front and multi-link arrangement at the rear is par for the course, while 19-inch rollers imbue the ride quality with a noticeable firmness.
Under the hood is a 2.0-litre, turbocharged diesel. Though diesel is on its way out, this motor makes a strong case for the benefits of the format. It is torque-rich, delivering 416Nm, while power is rated at 137kW. The motor has ample grunt for expedient, flat-foot overtaking and maintaining steady levels of progress on the freeway. Consumption around town hovered closer to the 9l/100km and 11l/100km ranges, but open road driving yields closer to the claimed 7.9l/100km. An eight-speed automatic gearbox transmits power to the front wheels.
At R699,900 the knee-jerk response is that the range-topping Tucson is expensive for a Hyundai. But then Hyundai’s progress and increased brand equity has earned it the right to price products alongside the likes of Volkswagen and Toyota. The features list is quite comprehensive and the standard seven-year/200,000km warranty is not to be sneezed at.
Hyundai has another top contender in the form of the Tucson. Even more fascinating to note is that there is a pickup version sold overseas, named the Santa Cruz. If only they would make it in right-hand drive for our market.
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