Hyundai has launched the new, fourth-generation Tucson SUV with the model to be built in a long-wheelbase variant and a short-wheelbase variant.

The Tucson offers both Smartstream 2.5-litre, direct-injected, four-cylinder, petrol powertrain and 1.6-litre, turbo, direct-injected, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The 2.5-litre engine has an estimated output of 141kW and an estimated torque rating of 246Nm. This engine is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 1.6-litre hybrid powertrain produces an estimated 134kW, with a combined output of 171kW. It also produces 264Nm of torque from the petrol engine and 348Nm of torque from the combined hybrid powertrain. The new powertrain uses Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology.

The Tucson has E-Handling technology for HEV and PHEV models to help improve steering response and directional stability when cornering or in adverse driving conditions and drivers get further assistance from Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel-drive system.

Safety features are comprehensive.
The Hyundai SmartSense safety feature suite includes:

• Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with pedestrian detection
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW)
• Surround View Monitor
• Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (RPCA)
• Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA)
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW).

Also available are Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), and Advanced Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go, and Safe Exit Warning (SEW).

The interior offers new technologies too. Hyundai says the Tucson offers best-in-class digital experiences.

There’s the Digital Key app that turns the customer’s smartphone into a smart key. The ‘key’ uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to detect authorised users so they can operate their vehicle without a physical key present. Customers can lock and unlock their vehicle, activate the panic alert and start the engine and its climate control system from up to 27 metres away.

Other technologies include an 8-inch colour touchscreen coupled with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Customers can connect two phones simultaneously.

A new Car-to-home feature allows customers to control smart home appliances from the car. Furthermore, Tucson’s new Multi-Command function allows customers to “warm-up the car” – including heating system, heated steering wheel and seat warmers – with a voice command.

The ventilation is also pretty sophisticated. The climate system monitors air quality and indicates real-time air-pollution levels on the Dual Automatic Temperature Control display window using the fine dust detection sensor.

Tucson also features technology that reduces moisture from the evaporator and keeps the air-conditioning system clean and free of odor. The Car-to-home and air purification features are available in select markets.

In the top-trim models, the 10.25-inch full-touch navigation screen system offers split-screen functionality that enables multi-tasking capabilities, coupled with enhanced voice recognition.

The all-new Tucson went on sale in Korea in September. It will go on sale in Australia from the first half of 2021. Hyundai says that only the long wheelbase version will be available here, with the HEV and PHEV engines still under consideration for the local market.

Source: Motor Trader E-magazine (October 2020)

12 October 2020