Hyundai Tucson Go 2018 Review

Well, he's done it again, to paraphrase Mike Moore of 'Frontline'. Another el-cheapo SUV on steel wheels from Road Test Editor Matt Brogan – and guess who drew the short straw to review the base model Hyundai Tucson Go?

Still, I'm starting to like these plain-Jane family haulers. They're more appealing, comfortable and dynamic than the pricing would suggest.

Although the price of the entry-level Tucson is nominally $30,650 with the box for the auto transmission option ticked, dealers are currently selling the Hyundai Tucson Go for $29,990 on the road, but metallic paint costs more ($595) on top. And the smartsense option pack is a further $2200.

It's arguably an option worth the extra though, since it includes blind spot monitoring, driver fatigue warning, forward collision warning/autonomous emergency braking, high-beam assist, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, active cruise control (with stop & go), electronic parking brake, dual-zone climate control, puddle lamps, glovebox cooling and power fold-in/heated exterior mirrors.

But it does lift the price of the Hyundai Tucson Go well above the price of the competition... in theory.

In practice, Hyundai sales staff are well versed in haggling to get the deal, as a family member testified. His earlier model Tucson Active X came with leather upholstery, alloy wheels and (optional) metallic paint for a grand total of $31,750 on the road about 18 months ago.

The older Tucson has posted an average fuel consumption figure of 7.9L/100km over its 18-month life. That precisely matches the official combined-cycle number. Our brand-new Tucson Go, with the same drivetrain, struggled to improve on 9.7L/100km around town and briefly on the freeway. But the Tucson Go had only covered 2500km prior to the week in our possession. The passage of time should see the engine loosen up and bring the average down.

Over the course of a kinder, more consistent test loop measuring 70km (mixing up freeway, suburban and country roads with some elevation as well), the Tucson Go posted a figure of 8.7L/100km. Although that's a reasonable number, the Tucson would be a little more economical still with an idle-stop system.

The direct-injected four-cylinder is responsive from a standing start and produces a surge of power in the mid-range, from 3000rpm through to 5500rpm, but performance tails off beyond that point. While the six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, it was occasionally reluctant to kick down and the ratios feel quite long; both of those traits are no doubt aimed at saving fuel.

For most owners, however, the direct-injected engine will be more than adequate around town. Out on the open road, overtaking with a load on board is where the performance may be lacking.

Noise suppression is commendable in this car, the base model in the range. There was just a mild hum audible from the powertrain when cruising at 100km/h, with the engine ticking over at 2000rpm. Tyre rumble from the original-equipment Hankooks was the dominant source of noise in the cabin, from 60km/h up.

Among its peers in the medium SUV segment, the Tucson provides excellent roadholding and lifting off the throttle suddenly won't provoke oversteer – not in the dry, at least, and not without the driver taking liberties with the laws of physics.

I found the steering to be less than pin-point sharp on centre, which may be due to the fuel-saving 60-series tyres on the 17-inch steel wheels. But the Tucson Go's steering response was immediate and the Hyundai handled close to neutral and felt quite secure when cornering.

Keep the boot into it and the Tucson goes places with no hint of torque steer. The stability control system has been set up to ensure the vehicle does nothing wayward when the driver is pressing on a bit harder, yet it doesn't shut down torque altogether in the middle of a corner either. Braking is strong and progressive with a pedal that supplies enough feel for very finely modulated stopping.

Headlights are adequate for what they are (projector-beam halogens) on low beams, but the high beams don't provide that blinding white light many will expect. It's a big step up to the range-topping Tucson Highlander, but the full (LED) lighting package of that vehicle would just about be worth the extra money for buyers who spend a lot of time driving country kilometres at night.

Inside, the Tucson Go is fitted with comfortable, well-shaped seats, and the driving position features sensible control placement and legible instruments. A reversing camera is fitted as standard, but there are no ultrasonic parking sensors and acoustic guidance, which is disappointing for drivers who prefer to park millimetres away from obstacles without actually making contact.

When leather-bound steering wheels are the norm for most vehicles these days, the plastic rim of the Tucson Go feels really agricultural. But fit and finish were acceptable otherwise in this entry-level model.

Rear-seat accommodation was roomy for adults of average height, but there were no adjustable vents back there. The rear seats fold down easily and lock into place for a flat load area. When lowered the seat squabs form a flush join with the boot floor for larger, bulkier items that need to be loaded in the boot. That's with the full-size spare wheel under the floor too.

Notwithstanding the lack of AEB at this level, the Tucson is a very effective machine. It's more enjoyable to drive than many of its rivals, it promises to be fairly economical, practical, comfortable and (hopefully) durable. So when you set foot inside the Hyundai dealership, try this question: "What sort of price can you do with the SmartSense pack included?"

How much does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson Go cost?
Price: $30,650 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 122kW/205Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 185g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP, 2015)