The suffix attached to the name of Hyundai's latest addition to its compact SUV, the Tuscon City says it all. For unlike its V6 AWD kin, this front-drive 2.0-litre four-cylinder version is squarely aimed at those SUV buyers - you might say the vast proportion of them - that never intend going off road.
With a body and interior - apart from some minor upgrades - that is identical to the AWD version, the City is designed as a car that marries the benefits of an SUV without the unnecessary weight and complexity of four-wheel drive.
According to Hyundai, it is the mums and dads that appreciate the high driving position and associated easy loading of kids and gear into a spacious and flexible interior that are presently buying small wagons and hatches like the Toyota Corolla and Holden Astra that are the target.
And there is no doubt that from a practical perspective, it meets those needs. The higher driving position ensures you are up there on the right sight line to compete in the urban traffic with the growing number of SUVs with good visibility in all directions.
The upgraded interior too offers a quality feel and look and with a vast range of storage cubbies, a split fold rear seat that folds almost flat and a separate opening rear glass, it is a practical vehicle with a plethora of different configurations depending on your requirements.
It is well equipped too with standard kit including air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and mirrors and a CD/MP3/WMA audio system and safety gear running to dual front airbags, ABS and traction control.
With a sticker price of $25,990 is also represents good value and sits smack bang in the middle of its aforementioned targets from a price perspective.
But despite its lack of an all-wheel drive system, it also caries with it some of the negative aspects that afflict SUVs when compared to their traditional passenger car rivals.
In a very short drive through Sydney's northern suburbs, the Tuscon City proved merely adequate from a driving and performance perspective.
The higher ride height lifts the centre of gravity substantially and although the suspension carries a similar firmer "European" style tune to it as the V6 Tuscon, there was still a fair degree of body roll as we wound through the tight outer suburban roads.
The ride comfort was quite good but there was a trade-off in the handling that although predictable had the front-end pushing wide through corners at more than urban speeds.
The biggest issue, however, is the engine, which on the hilly roads we drove proved to be merely adequate.
It is smooth and quiet enough and the four-speed auto shifts with reliable discretion but it just doesn’t have enough urge for our liking.
With 104kW and 165Nm, the outputs are about right for the 2.0-litre capacity but it is still hauling a vehicle that weighs in at 1467kg.
Compare that to the Corolla's 1.8-litre that delivers 100kW and 171Nm but in a car that is close to 300kg lighter and you get the picture.
On the flat in traffic the Tuscon City's engine was adequate to keep up with the bulk of the traffic but point it at a steepish hill and it takes its time while overtaking definitely requires some consideration.
As the name suggests this is a city car and there it makes some sense, just don't try and push it too hard from behind the wheel.