Hyundai has big plans for this MK4 model Tucson. Jonathan Crouch drives the improved version of this model.

Ten Second Review

Hyundai are aiming high with this fourth generation version of their stylish Tucson, a sharp-suited family mid-sized SUV aimed at the Qashqai-class. We're told it'll 'change the way you drive': this lightly improved version of this design certainly intends to change this Korean brand's fortunes in this sector.

Background

In an era where nearly half of all European car buyers are looking at something from the SUV Crossover class, mainstream brands need to take this segment very seriously. Hyundai's doing just that with this car, the Tucson, this being the fourth generation NX4-series model, hence reviewed in the updated form launched in Spring 2024, following this MK4 model's original introduction in 2020. Hyundai has been offering Crossovers in the mid-sized 'Qashqai'-class SUV 'C'-segment since the first generation JM-series Tucson sold between 2004 and 2009. That contender was replaced by a far more competitive LM-series model, which the brand chose to badge 'ix35' for Europe and which campaigned until the MK3 TL-series design made its debut in 2015, before being updated three years later. Very little was carried over from that MK3 model to this fourth generation one. Can this current, now much-improved car offer a genuine alternative to the established players in this sector? Time to find out.

Driving Experience

There are no engineering or handling changes to this lightly improved MK4 Tucson. As before, all versions of this model use some sort of 1.6 T-GDi petrol engine. In the base variant, this features in conventional form with 160PS and ordinary 6-speed manual transmission. Your dealer will urge you though, to find the small extra premium necessary to get this same 160PS engine with the brand's 48V mild hybrid tech and a 7DCT auto gearbox. Both these variants are front-driven. If you want a stronger dose of electrification in your Tucson, there are two full-fat Hybrid options, both of which comes as standard with a 6-speed DCT auto gearbox and can optionally be ordered with 4WD. The first is a self-charging full-Hybrid HEV variant, which uses that 1.6 T-GDi engine in 215PS form. Alternatively, you could go for the top Plug-in Hybrid PHEV variant, which mates that 1.6 T-GDi engine to a 66.9kW electric motor for a total output of 252PS, yet can offer an all-electric driving range when fully charged of around 38 miles. The four-wheel drive PHEV models get a terrain control switch for optimal driving off-road, but obviously on-tarmac dynamics have been prioritised here, though as with the previous model, don't expect particularly involving handling. Customers are being offered a couple of suspension set-ups, with electronically-controlled adaptive dampers optional on high spec variants. These have two profiles, a softer set-up for when the car is in its 'Normal' or 'Eco' drive modes. And a firmer one for when the 'Sport' mode is selected, which also firms up the steering. Whatever your choice of Tucson, you'll find body roll well controlled and refinement quite impressive - a boon on the kind of long journeys over which you'll appreciate the standard Highway Drive Assist set-up that all automatic Tucsons feature.

Design and Build

The updates to this fourth generation NX4-series Tucson model are uber-subtle. Look closely and you might notice the thinner, more angluar lines of the radiator grille and the revised front bumper. As before, the front end styling is dominated by the brand's 'Parametric Jewel' daytime running lights borrowed from the company's previous Vision T concept, which represented what Hyundai has called 'a design revolution'. The 'jewel-like' running lights are integrated into the sides of the 3D grille and can't be distinguished from it when switched off. As before, this MK4 model is one of the larger mid-sized SUV segment models, at 4.5-metres long. And sits on big wheels of between 17 to 19-inches in size. Inside up-front, the changes to this facelifted model are much more noticeable. Borrowing from the cabin design theme seen in the company's latest EVs, the twin screens are now 12.3-inches in size (up from 10.25-inches before). One is for the instrument cluster; the other is for the centre stack and incorporates Hyundai's latest Bluelink telematics. The redesigned dashboard has a new horizontal crash pad design supposed to create a sense of openness. Physical heating and ventilation controls and a redesigned centre console with buttons for regularly used functions feature on the new centre console, whilst the automatic and hybrid powertrains feature a wireless charging pad housed in the centre armrest. As before, there's quite a spacious back seat - a 10mm longer wheelbase increase for the original version of this MK4 model improved that and added 26mm more legroom. And the boot offers up to 620-litres of space in front-driven models (though that falls to 558-litres in the PHEV variant).

Market and Model

The Tucson used to be a budget-orientated choice in the mid-sized family SUV segment. No longer. There are five trim levels - 'Advance', 'Premium', 'N Line', N Line S' and 'Ultimate' - and prices start at around £32,000. Most Tucsons will be sold in the £35,000-£40,000 bracket that's becoming common for electrified crossovers in the mid-sized family SUV segment. For the HEV Hybrid, prices start from just under £36,000. And for the Plug-in hybrid variant, prices start at just under £40,000 for the base 'Advance' version. With this fourth generation Tucson, Hyundai has been aiming to move slightly away from comparisons with cheaper mid-sized crossovers like Nissan Qashqais and SEAT Atecas and closer to slightly larger, slightly pricier volume brand mid-size models like Volkswagen's Tiguan and the Ford Kuga. Doing that requires not just sharper looks but a greater degree of technology - and that's certainly been prioritised here. The twin 12.3-inch interior screens are one example of that, the central infotainment monitor not only including 'Android Auto' and 'Apple CarPlay' connectivity but also Google and Apple calendar integration, along with selectable user profiles. There's also a 'last mile navigation' feature, meaning that if the driver won't be able to find a place to park actually precisely at his or her intended destination, further directions can be sent to their smartphone so that the final part of the journey can be finished on foot. Live parking and traffic information is also included, thanks to up-to-the-minute Hyundai Bluelink telematics. And of course there are up-to-the-minute driver assistance safety features, including the company's latest 'Highway Drive Assist' semi-autonomous capability. This can brake and accelerate the Tucson to keep it a pre-set distance from other motorists, using a 'Lane Follow Assist' system to keep the car in lane on major roads. There's even a 'Remote Smart Parking Assist' feature, allowing the car to be summoned from a parking spot via a button on the key.

Cost of Ownership

By offering the broadest range of electrified powertrains in the mid-sized SUV segment, this Korean brand aims to take a lead in terms of drivetrain efficiency in this class, with mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid tech available to customers. Let's get to the WLTP figures. The conventional version of the company's 1.6 T-GDI Smartstream engine manages 41.5mpg on the combined cycle and puts out 154g/km of CO2, but you can improve that marginally to 44.8mpg and 142g/km if you get this powerplant with the brand's 48V mild hybrid tech. The full-Hybrid model improves that showing to 49.6mpg and 129g/km. The PHEV version is rated at up to 201.8mpg and up to 29g/km - in 4WD form. In all its forms, this 1.6-litre powerplant has been optimised for efficiency and gets Hyundai's Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology. CVVD optimises engine performance and fuel efficiency while also being eco-friendly. The valve control technology regulates the duration of the valve opening and closing, according to driving conditions. This is the only system that can change the duration of valve opening during driving. The company's latest iMT intelligent manual transmission also helps efficiency by working purely electronically, de-coupling the engine from the transmission after the driver releases the accelerator while driving at a constant speed, allowing the car to enter into a coasting mode, which obviously improves overall fuel efficiency. And as usual with Hyundai, with all Tucsons, you get one of the best customer assurance plans in the industry. The Five Year Triple Care warranty includes five years of mechanical cover with no mileage limit, annual vehicle health checks and roadside assistance.

Summary

Hyundai is much more than just a value volume brand these days - and the improved version of this fourth generation Tucson provides ample proof of that. It's a family SUV you'd still choose for its looks, secure in the knowledge that in terms of practicality, safety and connectivity, it's also cutting-edge. We're not as convinced that the Korean maker has done as much as it could have to improve its engine electrification options - particularly in the case of the Plug-in Hybrid version. Plus it's disappointing that the 4WD versions can't tow a little more. And as before, those looking for a truly involving drive might have reason to pause for thought before purchase. If you can live with those caveats though, there's still lots to like here. If you didn't want a Tucson previously, there's not much more reason to choose one now. But if you like the way it looks, this update could tip you Hyundai's way, secure in the knowledge that all kinds of serious family expeditions - be they to the shopping mall, the in-laws or Inverness - will be well within this car's remit. Expect it to continue to establish Hyundai in this segment.