Hyundai Tucson Active X 2016 Review

Hyundai Tucson Active X
Road Test

Hyundai's mid-size SUV has come of age with the re-born Tucson. More spacious inside, a better cargo-carrier and more composed and capable on the road, it closes the gap to Mazda's CX-5 to the point where it is almost indiscernible. The Tucson is now the complete mid-size SUV package, leaving it difficult to find negatives other than the just-off base-level $32,990 (before ORCs) Active X version's tendency towards interior blandness.

If the original Tucson was a pre-dinner drink and the ix35 an entrée, then the reborn Tucson is definitely the main course.

In every way, from overall packaging, to quality, safety and dynamic competence it's a step forward that puts the mid-size Korean SUV on a level footing with what must be admitted is some pretty impressive competition.

The thing about the second-generation Tucson is that the evolutionary process was totally generalised. There's no one feature that stands out. But when you start dissecting its qualities it becomes clear that the new Hyundai is almost in a different class to the ix35.

No longer would you say the Hyundai is at any disadvantage compared with its numerous mid-size SUV rivals. Capable as the ix35 was, it always seemed less substantial than the bulk of its competitors – particularly in the execution of the interior and even more especially in terms of back-seat comfort – and even though the dynamic qualities were acceptable they were at the lower end of the pecking order. Particularly when the likes of Mazda's CX-5 and the new-generation Nissan QASHQAI and X-TRAIL came on the scene.

In one swoop, the Tucson has made up ground. Now, others are looking to Hyundai to get an idea of how good a mid-size SUV can be.

But don't expect to be overwhelmed. The Tucson is so much the complete package that there's no need for flashy style or shock-and-awe interior furnishings to impact the senses.

In the case of this test car, a front-drive, automatic transmission Active X, it was more a case of being open to what the Tucson has to offer than being hit in the face with stunning looks and blatantly obvious in-cabin technology.

In fact the Active X (the only Tucson model built in Korea; all others are put together in the Czech Republic) could be seen as bordering on bland, particularly in the cabin where, more than anything else, the emphasis is on restraint.

The Active X with its part-leather trim helps relieve this to some extent but, in terms of overall presentation, there's little to excite other than the "premium" multifunction stitched-leather steering wheel. Muted grey vinyl abounds and there's only the odd appearance of matt silver trim, and one application of piano black above the climate control knobs, for relief.

But the quality is evident in the grades of vinyl used throughout – soft-touch on the upper dash, doors and centre console – and the general feel of the controls is beyond reproach. The leather seats are comfortable and supportive with decent cushioning front and rear, and there's excellent leg, shoulder and headroom throughout. There's no skimping with rear-seat padding (as was the case with the ix35) either.

Although the official measurements don't really indicate much, the general sense of inner space is tangibly greater than its predecessor.

That goes through to the load area which is bigger in all respects than the ix35 even if it's really pretty lineball in the mid-size category. With an all seats up capacity of 488 litres the Tucson is better than the superseded ix35 (465 litres) and better than the 403-litre Mazda CX-5, yet its total 1478-litre capacity is less than the Mazda's 1560 litres. And it's eclipsed in both measurements by Nissan's latest X-TRAIL, which offers 550 and 1982 litres respectively.

In the end, though, the Tucson is a commendable conveyance that will comfortably take on board a hyperactive family, complete with all the common appurtenances for summer holidays or regular shopping expeditions.

The tailgate is wide and deep, the 60:40 split-fold back seats flip down quickly, wheel arch intrusion is minimal and there's a removable roller blind to shield the rearmost luggage space from prying eyes. Underneath the floor resides a full-size spare to match the 18-inch alloy wheels and, yep, a full-size mountain bike can be easily stashed away too.

The Active X is pretty well fitted out for a $2500 premium – which also includes the powered-up, direct-injection version of the 2.0-litre petrol engine – over the entry-level Active model.

Standard gear includes an array of LED DRLs, a rearview camera (plus four rear parking sensors), automatic projector-beam headlights, heated and folding rearview mirrors and a 7.0-inch touch-screen centre display incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Now a five-star ANCAP recipient (originally the Tucson scored only four stars prior to rectification of the foot well area), the Tucson comes with six airbags as well as a more rigid structure and the usual roll call of active safety equipment including stability control, anti-lock brakes and traction control. The (all-disc) brakes are bigger too.

For high-tech safety it's necessary to step up to the more expensive Tucsons where you start to find things like trailer stability assist (the Tucson will tow up to 1600kg), lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert.

And how does the Tucson Active X acquit itself on the open road?

With many kilometres covered in the Australian outback during its development, you'd expect the Hyundai to be pretty well acquainted with our so-called unique driving environment, and there's no doubt it is.

The Tucson rides well and responds nicely to the light, but far from over-sensitive electric steering, progressing quietly with well-attenuated noise levels from all sources. Compliments of the grip provided by the 225/55-series tyres and a nice, controlled fluidity as it charges from corner to corner, the Hyundai is an object lesson in how to suspension-tune a mid-size SUV. It's a match for Mazda's superlative CX-5.

Although the Tucson's all-up weight of just under 1600kg means it has a bit of work to do, the 121kW/203Nm direct-injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is up to the task.

Slightly punchier than the regular multipoint injection engine (which makes 114kW and 192Nm), it works well with the Hyundai six-speed automatic transmission and keeps the Tucson motivated. But because it lacks the mid-range of a turbo engine and the maximum torque doesn't come in until 4700rpm, the normally-aspirated four must be kept on the boil. The six-speed transmission consequently always needs to be on the alert, which results in a tendency to kick down a bit too eagerly at times.

This can be fiddled with by activating one of the three drive modes – Eco, Sport and default – which perform as implied while also factoring in steering weight and accelerator sensitivity.

The direct-injection 2.0-litre powerplant has more power and torque than the multipoint version, but its combined fuel consumption figure of 7.9L/100km is the same, which is a bit like having your cake and eating it too. But this is kind of wiped away by the more high-tech engine's CO2 emissions of 185g/km compared with the multi-point engine's 182. Incremental, sure, but heading in the wrong direction and far from matching Mazda's SKYACTIV CX-5 2.0-litre which quotes 6.4L/100km and 149g/km.

Yes, it's hard to attach many negatives to the new Hyundai Tucson. Two generations away from the original model that appeared in 2004 – even offering a 2.7-litre V6 option – and a distinct leap over the previous ix35, the reincarnated Tucson sits comfortably in the short list of truly aspirational mid-size SUVs.

Desert anyone?

2016 Hyundai Tucson Active X pricing and specifications:
Price: $32,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 121kW/203Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 185g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Mazda CX-5 (from $27,190 plus ORCs)
>> Honda CR-V (from $27,490 plus ORCs)
>> Nissan X-Trail (from $27,990 plus ORCs)