Hyundai Tucson Highlander 2015 Review

Master of the Bleeding Obvious time... Australia has a love affair going on with the SUV – and it's getting hot and heavy! Around one in three new cars sold locally last year was a softroader.

This year the ratio could end up even higher. And this car could very readily have a hand in moving that needle.

The Tucson is Hyundai's new mid-sized softroader. It replaces the brand's successful ix35 compact SUV and in its back-to-the-future evolution has been upsized and upgraded.

It's 'back-to-the future' because of the prodigal Tucson nameplate. Hyundai used the model name for the car that preceded the ix35. A global rejig sees the name return Down Under. In markets like the USA, it never went away.

Hyundai Australia is not wasting too much time lamenting the 'passing' of the ix35, nor marketing money in bringing existing owners along for the journey. Insiders say the Tucson's all-new look, upgraded technology and value for money offering will be more than enough to bring customers, new and existing, to the party. We agree...

First things first, the new Tucson is slighter longer and a touch wider than the ix35 and therefore moves up a VFACTS category. Whether that means anything to real-world car buyers is debatable. What does count is there's more cabin room in almost every dimension and more luggage capacity.

Around 65mm longer overall, 30mm wider and 30mm rangier in the wheelbase compared to the ix35, the Tucson is now a direct competitor to top-sellers like Mazda's CX-5, Subaru's Forester and Toyota RAV4, according to Hyundai.

Luggage capacity is listed at 488 litres. With the second row folded (Tucson is strictly a five-seater) that increases to 1478 litres. By way of comparison, the marginally longer and wider Mazda's luggage stats are 403/1560. (Look out for a comparison between these protagonists very soon.)

While Hyundai is trumpeting the change in categorisation, it's somewhat spurious – the ix35 was arguably the biggest 'Small' SUV on sale Down Under. Indeed, its 'sister' car, Kia's Sportage, sits in the Medium segment.

Much more important than labelling semantics, the Tucson introduces a new platform to the segment. That means the car is new – not just in terms of the mechanical components or its metallurgy, but also in areas such as electronics, suspension design and areas that materially affect refinement.

It is by almost every measure a more mature and more polished product. With each generation of vehicles, the Korean manufacturer has lifted its game – at the risk of stretching a metaphor even further, Tucson arrives as the brand's best on ground.

Hyundai has almost doubled the ultra-high-strength steel in the new car's body in white. There's more extensive use of hot-stamped steels and over 100m of special bonding agents. That means it's stronger and safer in a crash – and is a better structure from which to hang better quality suspension and chassis componentry.

There's a story in that suspension componentry in its own right. Suffice it to say, Tucson was Hyundai's most complex local tuning project to date. This is thanks not only to the multiple model and powertrain combinations but also the fact Aussie Tucsons are built in both South Korea and the Czech Republic, using parts from different suppliers.

In total, over 100 suspension combinations and various steering tunes were evaluated before the car was signed off. Although we've only spent limited time in it, we're prepared to say Tucson's the marque's best effort yet.

Steering response is consistent, communicative and eager and the ride (even on the top-spec Highlander's 19-inch wheel/tyre combo) is a standout in the segment. Yet there's no shortage of body control, nor poise – the end result exhibits predictable, confident handling with just enough body roll to let you know you're in a high-riding wagon... Although not so much that your passengers will be alarmed at your progress. Top marks!

The new Tucson arrives Down Under with a choice of four model grades.

Available only as a front-driver powered by a 114kW/192Nm 2.0-litre port-injected (MPI) petrol engine, the Active is the base model. It's priced from $27,990 for the six-speed manual or $30,490 for the six-speed auto.

Ironically, this entry-level Tucson will be the last variant to go on sale – late in 2015. As such Hyundai is still to confirm final specification, however, key items such as rear camera, six airbags, LED daylight running lamps and seven-inch touch screen have been locked in.

Available from launch (this week), Active X is new to the line-up and will power a swag of sales. Under the bonnet is a 121kW/203Nm 2.0-litre direct-injected (GDI) petrol engine and the X adds leather upholstery and 18-inch alloy wheels for a $2500 premium (manual $30,490; auto $32,990) compared to the entry-level car.

Again front-wheel drive only, the X also features rear parking sensors, auto headlights, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, folding/heated side mirrors and roof rails as well as upgraded external trim.

Active and Active X will also offer Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto functionality – once the systems' operators approve Hyundai's hardware. Apple's first with the green light expected in September.

And here's where the specification hiccups mentioned in our Overview rear their heads... You can have the best Tucson powertrains or the best Tucson tech it seems, but not both. Step up to the Elite or top-of-the-range Highlander grades and their eight-inch integrated nav-infotainment systems are not CarPlay, nor Android Auto capable. And won't be – for a while...

Elite is auto-only but introduces the option of all-wheel drive. The 2.0 MPI front-drive variant is $35,240. Alternatively, with the star of the Tucson line-up, the new 130kW/265Nm turbocharged petrol (T-GDI) engine under the hood, the least expensive all-wheel drive model is priced at $38,240.

This engine is exclusively matched with Hyundai's own seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.

The conventional six-speed automatic Elite CRDi 2.0-litre turbo-diesel AWD is $40,240. Power is rated at 135kW, with torque a substantial 400Nm.

Incongruously, the Elite upper-mid grade model mandates a drop back from the Active X's leather to cloth and back onto 17-inch alloys. That said there is a substantial increase in overall equipment levels: LED headlights with cornering lamps are standard; as is dual-zone climate control air, auto defrost, rain-sensing wipers, 10-way electric driver's seat, keyless entry/start and Hyundai's segment ace-in-the-hole 'smart' powered tailgate.

The latter item allows for no-touch opening of the tailgate. As long as the smart key is in your pocket, approach the rear of the car and the hatch will open. Heavy-duty shoppers will love it!

At the top of the range is the Tucson Highlander AWD, available with both 1.6 turbo petrol and 2.0 turbo-diesel variants priced at $43,490 and $45,490 respectively.

Highlander buyers won't lack for much. Rolling on 19-inch alloys shod with Continental ContiSportContact5 premium rubber, the Highlander adds front park assist, tyre pressure monitoring, heated and cooled leather seats (including eight-way powered passenger), wheel-mounted phone controls and the world's largest panoramic sunroof... Perhaps that's a slight exaggeration, but who needs a convertible SUV when you've got this much glass!

From an active safety point of view, the Highlander's also one with the lot. Blind spot, lane changing and lane departure assistance systems, rear cross traffic alert, collision detection and pedestrian-sensing autonomous braking are all standard and in some cases in combination are firsts for the class.

Arguably the weakest aspect of the Highlander's offer is its choice of cabin finishes. Overall the execution and materials are of a high standard. Indeed, opt for the 'light' cabin and there's contrasting leather and dash surfaces that combine to produce quite a classy ambience. Alas, opt for the single-tone dark leather variant (the most practical option) and the perceived quality takes a dive in my book. If ever there was a case for a little faux carbon...

Our launch drive of the Tucson traversed a range of roads including a snow covered section of the Alpine Way – just the sort of terrain SUV buyers suggest they need to 'conquer'.

Our AWD turbo-diesel Highlander made short work of the slippery conditions, although we did need to use a combination of the AWD Lock and disabled traction control functions to deal with icier sections.

Punting a front-drive Active X through some entertaining gravel roads in the Brindabella Ranges between the snowfields and Canberra reinforced the worth of the suspension tuning Hyundai's local team has carried out (in conjunction with French-based guru, David Potter).

Perhaps my only substantial criticism is the brakes – not in terms of efficiency but the rather long pedal throw. You soon get used to it, but I'd prefer a touch less travel or more initial retardation.

Make no mistake though, dynamically, this is a very impressive new segment entrant. And yes, we're still talking about a Hyundai.

My pick of the bunch is the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol offered in the Elite and Highlander. Matched with Hyundai's own seven-speed dual clutch transmission in the Elite I drove, it delivers a refined, high-tech blend of performance and drivability.

It should also deliver reasonable real world economy. We saw 9.4L/100km average after driving it in a spirited manner.

The 1.6 is a version of the same engine that Hyundai debuted in its Veloster hatch, but here it's retuned to suit its softroader role. Don't get too hung up with the small capacity – the revised tune, which delivers peak torque from 1500-4500rpm, ensures that there's decent real world performance.

The 1.6 is better balanced than the turbo-diesel. And what's perhaps even more important is the dual-clutch gearbox's calibration. Response is clearly crisper than the conventional six-speed auto used in the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

Overall, the 1.6/DCT just feels like the more lively, more liveable combination.

Hyundai claims 7.7L/100km for the 1.6 on the combined cycle compared to 6.4-6.8L/100km for the turbo-diesel. Both these figures would be improved on paper and on the road via the addition of auto stop-start. This is one of the most obvious omissions from what is essentially a vehicle that's new from the ground up.

But somehow I don't believe that will be a make or break for most Tucson buyers. They'll be more focussed on the handsome, up to date styling (the first Hyundai model completely designed under style guru, Peter Schreyer's, reign, says the press blurb), muscular stance, equipment levels and general competence of this new SUV.

In its evolution from ix35 to Tucson this car has moved Hyundai on. It's not the cheap and cheerful brand it once was – and is better for the change.

When contrasted to the ix35, even the much improved Series II, Tucson is an excellent example of the pace and magnitude of that change.

Buyers in this hard-fought segment are looking for a combination of style and substance. Hyundai's latest SUV delivers on both counts.

2015 Hyundai Tucson Highlander 1.6T GDI AWD pricing and specifications:
Price: $43,490 (Tucson range starts from $27,990)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol
Output: 130kW/265Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual clutch
Fuel: 7.7L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 178g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: TBA