Hyundai Tucson Prototype 2021 Review

Hyundai Australia is just a couple of months away from launching the new-generation 2021 Hyundai Tucson during the second quarter of this year, with the mid-size SUV set to bring a smarter, safer and bolder take on one of the brand’s biggest-selling models Down Under.

This week, the South Korean car-maker gave select Aussie motoring outlets the chance to get behind the wheel of a pre-production prototype at a special event in New South Wales, to test drive what’ll be the range-topping 2021 Hyundai Tucson Highlander N Line.

In competition with rivals like the top-selling Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5, the fourth-generation Tucson will deliver more than just an eye-catching new design when it arrives.

Borrowing fresh tech from its larger Santa Fe sibling, as well as the latest Kia Sorento, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson will come equipped with a remote start parking feature in top-spec form as well as a centre airbag across the range.

To launch with three model grades – Tucson, Elite and Highlander – from around May, sportier N Line packs that bring interior and exterior design tweaks will also be available across the range shortly after launch.

The all-new Tucson will continue with three powertrain options when it arrives: a 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, now with six-speed auto only (no manual); a 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, as tested here; and a 137kW/416Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that uses an eight-speed auto.

Elite and Highlander model grades are available across all three powertrains, however the base-spec Tucson only comes with the 2.0-litre petrol that sends power to the front wheels. The other two engines are paired with an all-wheel drive system.

Hyundai Australia is yet to confirm pricing for the all-new 2021 Hyundai Tucson, but this should be released soon.

As it stands, the current range now in run-out is priced between $29,640 and $49,150 plus on-road costs, but this is expected to push up without a manual gearbox option at the entry level on the new-generation model and with higher levels of standard equipment across the board.

The entry-grade Tucson comes fitted with seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction assist, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, keyless entry, 17-inch alloy wheels (including a full-size spare) and an 8.0-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The mid-spec Tucson Elite brings 18-inch alloys, leather upholstery, front seat heating, driver’s seat power adjustment, steering wheel shift paddles, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, rear seat alert and a larger 10.25-inch infotainment unit with navigation.

The flagship Highlander grade has even more, of course, including larger 19-inch alloys, LED headlights and tail-lights, a panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, a 360-degree camera, blind spot view monitor and passenger walking device.

The Highlander’s cabin also has LED ambient mood lighting, a Bose premium sound system, a larger 10.25-inch customisable digital instrument cluster, heated steering wheel and heated rear outboard seats.

The Tucson Highlander prototype we tested was fitted with the sporty N Line package, which brings niceties such as plush suede/leather seats and an N Line steering wheel, and on the outside it features an N Line body kit, cooler 19-inch N Line alloy wheels, silver skid plates, a gloss black grille with ‘hidden’ LED daytime running lights, and N Line badging.

Given it was a pre-production drive, we were unable to test the new 2021 Hyundai Tucson on public roads and were confined to the private property of Marulan’s Pheasant Wood Circuit – a tight and twisty track we’ve used for several comparisons now.

Moreover, its exclusivity meant we only had strictly limited time with it. Still, the hour we spent with the new Tucson made a positive first impression.

Despite the fact that it hadn’t been through Hyundai’s local suspension tuning program, the Tucson Highlander proved itself to be dynamically capable, offering decent grip from its Nexen rubber and little body roll when pushing it on circuit.

Feeling more like a small SUV from behind the wheel, the new Tucson is nimble and easy to place, with good vision in every direction and plenty of steering wheel and seat adjustment to find a comfortable position.

Power from the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine is good down low and it drives well off the line. But asking more of it at speed means it can feel a little out of puff, something that would become more noticeable with several passengers on board.

The 1.6 T-GDi Smartstream engine has been upgraded for the new Tucson, although output figures are roughly the same – 132kW of power (+2kW) and 265Nm of torque (unchanged).

Fuel consumption figures are unconfirmed at this stage. The current Australian-spec model with the 1.6 turbo delivers 7.7L/100km, so we’d expect this to improve with the new generation.

We found the engine unnervingly quiet at idle, so much so it would’ve been easy to assume it was switched off.

The dual-clutch transmission in our tester could do with some refinement, as its gear changes were harsh at times (notably more so in Sport mode) and gear selection via the new buttons in the centre console weren’t super-quick to engage.

From the pilot’s seat, the new hood-less 10.25-inch instrument cluster seems to declutter the area in front, making it easy to focus on what’s ahead, while the newly-designed four-spoke steering wheel is swish.

The suede seats are super-soft and comfy, but some of the faster cornering we did made it obvious they could do with a little more side bolstering – an issue that might not even present itself for most drivers once the Tucson hits the road.

There’s a lot riding on the new fourth-generation 2021 Hyundai Tucson, which is the Korean brand’s most popular SUV and second only to the i30 for honours as its top-selling model.

At its unveiling last year, the car-maker admitted to taking a much more dramatic approach to the mid-size SUV’s styling, and we can now report that in the metal it’s quite attractive.

This is a subjective area, and the sharp angular bodywork running down either side look like a panel beater’s worst nightmare. But somehow it all works.

Up front, the black grille on the Tucson Highlander N Line with integrated vertical daytime running lights (DRLs) are eye-catching, as are the N Line wheels that appear to be inspired by snowflakes.

The new Tucson is larger in all key dimensions, but with shorter overhangs compared to its predecessor. In the rear seat, there’s oodles of legroom and headroom, while boot space is also improved. Cargo volume figures are still to be confirmed.

It’s still a five-seater, however three adults across the rear looks like it’d still be a squeeze. But two should be happy, especially with air vents, a centre armrest, two USB ports and heated outboard seats in this top-spec model.

Storage is good up front too, with medium-sized door pockets, two central cup holders and a lidded centre console. There’s also two USB ports and a wireless phone charging pad, with all important switchgear within the driver’s reach.

Following the fourth-gen Tucson’s bold exterior styling, the interior is much more futuristic than its predecessor too, with the conventional gear shifter now replaced with buttons and most of the other switches and knobs on the dash swapped out for flush touch-sensitive buttons.

The result feels more minimalist yet upmarket, but with lots of piano black surfaces, it’d be a mission to keep clear of fingerprints.

Despite this only being a first taste of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, we’re impressed.

Hyundai’s daring new design language might rub conservative buyers up the wrong way, but we reckon it’ll appeal to a broader audience too.

Considering the brand’s five-year warranty and typically attractive servicing packages, ownership credentials should remain tip-top.

These, along with the Tucson’s fresh technology, higher level of standard safety equipment and bigger cabin, should see Hyundai’s all-important mid-size SUV remain a popular option.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Highlander N Line 1.6 T-GDi cost?
Price: TBA
Available: May 2021
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 132kW/265Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: TBA
CO2: TBA
Safety rating: Not tested

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