Hyundai Tucson Active X 2019 Review

The tussle for new buyers is tight in the competitive mid-size SUV segment. So tight, in fact, that it is not inconceivable for a competitor to be stricken from a buyer’s list if it misses a piece of equipment – no matter how trivial.

A case in point? Hyundai’s Tucson.

Rather than suffer at the hands of specced-up competitors. Hyundai has refreshed its mid-size entrant by extending more safety equipment to low and mid-level models. The Tucson Active X is one of the biggest recipients, taking on the safety buzzword in automotive parlance, AEB (autonomous emergency braking) – previously limited to higher grades.

For 2020, the mid-level Tucson is fitted with Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (AEB), bigger 18-inch wheels, heated and powered folding mirrors, among other items listed in our full pricing story.

Those additions are over and above a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, lane-keep assist, partial leather seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a (then) five-star worthy suite of safety fitments dating back to the Tucson’s original ANCAP testing in 2015.

Under the bonnet resides an unchanged 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine with 122kW and 205Nm, tied to a choice of a six-speed manual, or in the case of our test car, a six-speed automatic.

The 2020 changes to Hyundai Tucson Active X correlate with an increase in price to the tune of $1000, with the RRP now set at $34,790 (plus on-road costs) in automatic guise. That said, Hyundai is currently (Nov 2019) offering a driveaway pricing on Active X: $31,990 for the manual and $33,990 for the automatic.

Access to adaptive cruise control, automatic headlights, blind spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert hardware is limited to Tucson Elite and Highlander models that reside higher up in the food chain. Those grades make use of a more advanced radar-based AEB system in place of the Active X’s camera-based configuration, too.

Aftersales care remains one of the Tucson’s core strengths. Hyundai was one of the pioneers of the five-year warranty, and is currently dipping its toe in the water by offering a limited-time seven-year scheme.

Servicing provisions and costs are likewise solid, with intervals set at 12 months and 15,000km. According to Hyundai, servicing costs in the first three years of ownership amount to $840 ($280 annually).

The Tucson Active X advertises a 1600kg braked towing capacity with a 120kg maximum tow ball download.

There’s an inherent practicality and usefulness to the Hyundai Tucson Active X’s interior upon settling into the driver’s chair.

The leather-accented seats are comfortable, the front and rear views are clear, helping offset its 4.48-metre length, and the driver instrument cluster and centre fascia controls are legible and easy to navigate, back-lit by crisp white and blue hues.

Storage is another strong talking point with the inclusion of bottle-friendly door pockets, open cubbies suitable for phones and wallets and two centrally-mounted cupholders.

Contact points are soft to touch in the front row, reflective of the Tucson’s positioning.

Elsewhere, there are elements of the cabin, up front, which reflect the Active X’s circa $30K pricetag: no keyless entry, a traditional turn-key start and a manual handbrake in place of a contemporary electronic parking brake. Mechanical seat adjustment is another subtle pointer, but otherwise, the day-to-day amenity is strong up front with two USB ports and various 12V outlets.

The rear seat fitment doesn’t match the same quality and attention to detail. Where soft-to-touch panels adorn the various contact points up front, the rear seat is festooned in harder, cheaper plastics.

More pressing, though, is the lack of rear air vents, a possibly deal-breaker for those with children. A high-set window line in the rear seat is another consideration for mums and dads, as it will potentially restrict the outlook for little ones.

Rear seat space is middle of the road otherwise, with moderate knee, shoulder and head room, traits that are reinforced by bottle-friendly door pockets and a centre flip down arm rest with integrated cup holders, plus a lone rear USB port.

Further back, the Tucson’s 488-litre boot brings useable proportions and tie down points -- even with the full-size spare wheel (hooray!) that resides underneath. That space extends to 1478 litres with the tumbling of 60:40 split-folding second row.

Hyundai makes a big deal of its Australian suspension tune for all new vehicles, and the updated Tucson Active X is a perfect demonstration of its merits.

Even on 18-inch wheels, the Tucson’s ride and handling mix is strong. It balances competent, surefooted dynamics with a ride that is compliant enough to iron out all but the harshest of bumps.

Ditto the car’s ability to suppress road and wind noise to moderate levels, a necessity on longer trips.

Steering feel is well aligned with the mid-size SUV brief, offering adequate weighting, feel and feedback without any mid-corner kick back. Even in keener driving, the Tucson is able to maintain its composure, with no surprises and encouraging changes in direction – even with its cheaper Nexen tyres.

Where the dynamic equation loses some shine, however, is the engine. The 2.0-litre manages daily conveyance with minimal fuss, gently building speed and seguing through its six ratios in a linear and refined manner.

But when it comes time to muster more energy, the naturally-aspirated petrol breaks into a busy, unrefined chorus, requiring big revs to move the Tucson’s 1.5-tonne mass with any great urgency. The spec sheet says as much; peak power is officially reached from a heady 6200rpm, and peak torque from 4000rpm.

The six-speed automatic tries its best to offset the engine’s lack of low-down punch, but can only do so much. What it does do, however, is encourage efficiency – the Tucson Active X managing to get close to its 7.9L/100km claim in light driving. We’d expect that to change with more passengers and a boot load of luggage, however.

The 2020 changes to the Hyundai Tuscon line-up are hardly wholesale, but the added safety inclusions and equipment levels the Active X now boasts does bolster an already strong all-rounder.

Perhaps the biggest appeal comes in the form of Hyundai’s current bonus seven-year warranty and driveaway pricing. In a competitive segment, inclusions such as these do a great deal in getting prospective buyers over the line.

How much does the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Active X cost?
Price: $34,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 122kW/205Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 185g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2015 Year)