Hyundai Tucson – What you need to know

I’m sure you’ve noticed that the roads are chock-full of utes and SUVs and spotting a sedan or wagon is as rare as a lotto win.

The two biggest market segments are dual-cab utes and mid-size SUVs, with the latter now attracting more than 30 model lines that are competing for your attention.

One of the leading models is the Hyundai Tucson, which was a finalist in carsales’ 2021 Car of the Year and also won our Best Mid-Size SUV mega-test that year.

Hyundai’s fourth-generation mid-size SUV is available in three trim levels. The entry model is simply badged Tucson. Next is the mid-range Elite, followed by the top-spec Highlander.

Pricing currently opens at $34,900 plus on-road costs and runs all the way up to $52,400 plus ORCs.

Petrol, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines are offered, along with front- and on-demand all-wheel drive, with every model an auto. A petrol-electric hybrid powertrain is also heading this way.

It’s time to have a close look at the Hyundai Tucson range to help you select the right one.

Getting behind the wheel of an entry-model Tucson starts at $34,900 plus on road costs, and it comes with the following equipment as standard:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Cloth trim
• Leather steering wheel and gear shifter
• 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Air-conditioning
• Adaptive cruise control

Five colours are offered on the entry Hyundai Tucson, six on the Elite and seven on the Highlander. Premium paint costs $595 and brown or grey leather trim in the Highlander is just $295.

A sporty N Line option pack is available on all models, adding $3500 to the Tucson, $2000 to the Elite and just $1000 to the Highlander.

If it’s not already standard on the model of your choice, the N Line pack adds a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, an N Line steering wheel, leather and suede upholstery with red stitching, plus a black roof lining.

Outside are 19-inch alloy wheels, an N Line body kit, LED headlights, tinted LED tail-lights, a gloss-black dark chrome grille, exclusive daytime running lights, restyled bumpers, N Line skid plates, rear spoiler, dark chrome door handles and N Line badging.

The Hyundai Tucson safety arsenal is impressive, with all models having seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic traction and stability control and advanced driver assist systems for hill starts, trailer swaying, downhill braking and multi-collision braking.

Across all models there’s forward collision avoidance assist and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction turning, pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Also standard is forward collision avoidance, blind spot collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lead vehicle departure alert, lane keep and follow assist, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

Driver attention monitoring, rear occupant alert, safe exit warning, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring and haptic feedback through the steering wheel are included in every Hyundai Tucson model.

A step up to the Elite snares you automatic high beam headlights, auto wipers and front parking sensors, and if you go the full monty and sign up for a Highlander you’ll enjoy the added safety of blind spot monitoring with an extra camera view when turning, along with a surround view monitor.

Should the Diesel Highlander be your choice it comes with a remote smart (read self) parking system.

The Hyundai Tucson also has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded in 2021.

An 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen graces the dash of the entry-model Hyundai Tucson and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, along with Bluetooth connectivity and an AM/FM radio.

An added bonus is the base Tucson is the only model with wireless capability for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

A larger 10.25-inch touch-screen with satellite navigation, live traffic updates, voice assistance and a digital radio come standard in the Elite and Highlander.

While the Tucson and Elite get by with six speakers the Highlander sports an eight-speaker premium Bose system for your favourite tunes.

While the Tucson and Elite have a 4.2-inch instrument cluster with a trip computer and digital speedometer, stepping up to the Highlander brings the supervision 10.25-inch digital instrument screen including rear blind spot monitor that display the camera view in the instrument binnacle when turning or changing lanes.

All models include two USB ports with a wireless charging pad and 12-volt power outlet residing in the front console.

With the rear seats up the cargo area is a generous 539 litres that balloons to 1860 litres with the seat down.

All models have a retractable cargo cover, a 12-volt power outlet and underfloor storage. A cargo net is standard on the Elite and if you want the convenience of a power tailgate, the Highlander is your only choice.

There’s plenty of storage spots on board with bottle holders in the doors, as well as cup holders in the front console and in the fold-down rear armrest, while larger items slide into the pockets on the back of the front seats.

Are you after air-conditioning? All models come with it and the system includes de-humidity and de-fog functions along with rear vents. In the Tucson it’s a manually operated system whereas the Elite and Highlander come with the convenience of dual-zone climate control with an air diffuser mode in the front.

How about leather upholstery? Skip the Tucson and its premium cloth trim and head for the Elite and its black leather trim that adds a luxurious touch to the cabin. However, if you would like leather upholstery in brown or grey, you can option it on the Highlander.

Heated seats? They’re yours so long as you slap your money on an Elite. But if you open the purse strings a bit more and select the Highlander, not only will front seat dwellers get heated and cooled seats, but your rear seat passengers will enjoy heated seats too.

Want the seats powered? Once again, bypass the Tucson and head for the Elite or Highlander and the 10-way adjustment for the driver’s seat. And if you want your front passenger to have a power seat, stick with the Highlander, where eight-way adjustment is provided.

Is a leather steering wheel enough? Then you can slap your money on a base Tucson and its standard leather-clad wheel. And if you go for a front-wheel drive model the gear selector is draped in leather as well.

Those going for an all-wheel drive model get paddle gear shifts, while ticking the Highlander box adds a heating function.

Do you want selectable drive modes in your Tucson? No sweat. All models have Eco, Normal and Sport modes, with all-wheel drive models having four settings – Eco, Normal, Sport and Smart. Diesel-powered models score a multi-terrain mode with three settings for Snow, Mud and Sand while petrol all-wheel drive models have an AWD lock mode.

Privacy glass? Rear window privacy glass is available, but you must go for the Elite as a minimum, which brings with it solar control for the front windows and the acoustic laminated windscreen.

Is a sunroof a deal clincher? Your only choice is the Highlander and its dual-pane tilt and slide sunroof with a power sun blind. The Highlander is also the only model with an auto-dimming mirror, but all models have powered, heated and folding door mirrors.

From the outside, the Tucson and mid-range Elite have a dark chrome grille and the exterior highlights are silver. Projector headlights come with these models but both share LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and a high-mount LED brake light and LED indicator lights in the door mirrors.

The rear spoiler is body-coloured and the Tucson sits on 17-inch alloys, with the Elite wearing 18-inch alloys.

The top-spec Highlander has the same dark chrome grille but adds flair with a gloss finish. LED headlights separate this model and complement the hidden LED DRLs. The lower front bumper and rear bumper both have gloss-finish dark chrome inserts and a silver-plated skid plate sits at each end. Completing the picture are 19-inch alloys.

Giving the cabin some bling in all models are alloy-looking door handles, vent surrounds and steering wheel inserts. Ambient lighting is the domain of the Highlander.

The entry-level Hyundai Tucson has a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW of power and 192Nm of torque. It is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and is a front-drive only.

Both the mid-range Elite and range-topping Highlander offer the same 2.0-litre petrol engine as well as a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 132kW/265Nm, which is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.

Additionally, buyers can select a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine putting out 137kW/416Nm. It’s paired to an eight-speed automatic.

Turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel models are four-wheel drive.

Braked towing capacity is 1650kg with either the 2.0-litre petrol or 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, while the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel can haul 1900kg.

Jump into the entry-level Hyundai Tucson and you won’t be disappointed at the volume of standard kit you get.

To me the only drawback here is the lack of engine choice, and only front-wheel drive, but it still is excellent value and those on a budget will be over the moon.

However, if I was throwing down my hard-earned, the Elite does it for me, not just because of its long list of standard safety, tech and comfort features, but also as I can have it with the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that comes with all-wheel drive grip and multi-terrain drive modes.

How much does the Hyundai Tucson cost?
Tucson 2.0 Petrol FWD – $34,900
Elite 2.0 Petrol FWD – $39,400
Elite 1.6 turbo-petrol AWD – $43,400
Elite 2.0 turbo-diesel AWD – $45,400
Highlander 2.0 Petrol FWD – $46,400
Highlander 1.6 turbo-petrol AWD – $50,400
Highlander 2.0 turbo-diesel AWD – $52,40
*Prices exclude on-road costs